Cat and other animals in the same house

 Many of us are not satisfied with the presence of only one animal in the house, and sooner or later the uncomfortable thoughts of getting another cat begin to visit. Or a dog. Or a bird, a fish, a hamster… a crocodile. But how does a cat get along in the same house with other animals? Before deciding to take this step, you should weigh everything again, and again. It will not be enough to bring a carrier into the house, call the cat and say: “This is your new friend, he will live with us and even, probably, play with your toys. Are you happy?” Of course, the cat will not be delighted! Get ready for the fact that she, most likely, will actively defend her territory from the invasion of a stranger. Photo: cat and dog It is better to resettle a newcomer for a few days “in quarantine”. So he can assess the situation before he meets the old-timers. Then put him in the carrier and let the “natives” come in to make a brief introduction. Let the animals communicate exclusively in your presence for several weeks. Be sure to encourage good behavior on both sides. As a rule, if kittens or a kitten and a puppy get to know each other, there are no problems. But you can get two babies from the same litter – this way you will avoid possible difficulties with acquaintance. 

If you introduce a cat or kitten and an adult dog to each other, the dog must be on a leash and know the basic commands (“Sit”, “Lie down”, “Fu” and “No”).

 In principle, cats can get along in the same house with other cats or dogs. If you decide to supplement the zoo with birds or rodents, everything is much more complicated. In the photo: a cat and a hamsterThe hunting instinct comes with the cat in the basic configuration and is not turned off at your whim. Therefore, for some time she can carefully pretend that she is completely indifferent to a parrot or a hamster, but at the first opportunity she will not miss her. Your task is not only to protect small animals from a predator, but also to remember that the presence of a cat is a constant stress for the bird or decorative mouse. After all, they also have instincts and feelings. And stress can lead to serious illness. Therefore, it is worth either keeping pets in different rooms, or being satisfied with the composition of the tenants that is, and forget about adding new ones. If your cat has garden access and you plan to feed wild birds, hang bird feeders or birdhouses in places where the little hunter can’t get to. And at the time of breeding chicks, it is better to limit cat movements.