Raising A Puppy and Kitten Together

Raising a puppy and kitten together surely sounds like a fun idea but you need to consider the possibilities whether these adorable creatures will get along or not. Will the dog and kitten be the allies or their bonding is going to spread over time? You need to consider all the possibilities before moving further in the direction of getting a puppy and kitten together. Their compatibility with each other depends on a lot of factors.

What are the Best Dog Breeds to Raise With a Cat?

Before kitten and puppy adoption, you need to think about the best dog breeds that can get along with cats. Not every dog breed is suitable to raise alongside a kitten, especially those with a higher prey drive. While some dog breeds are hunters based on their natural instincts, others are more calm and friendly. 

Here are some pointers that can help you decide whether it is a good idea to get a puppy and kitten at the same time or not:

• Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers are some of the most friendly dogs and they can be great allies for the cats.

• Basset Hound, Beagle, Collie, Poodle, Maltese, Boxer, and Shih Tzu are some other dog breeds that can mix well with cats. You can also check out the Best Domestic Cat Breeds list and decide what dog and cat breeds can live comfortably with each other.  

• You need to look out for dog breeds like Slighhounds, Terriers, Husky, Dalmatians, Australian Cattle Dog, Shiba Inu, Basenji, Alaskan Malamute, and Rhodesian Ridgeback. They have higher prey drive and their less tolerance for other animals automatically excludes them from the list of cat allies. If you are in the mood to raise a puppy and kitten together, you should definitely stay away from these dog breeds.

Can You Raise a Puppy and Kitten Together? 

Raising a puppy and kitten together sounds like a fun task but things may go wrong in ways you didn’t expect. For their long and happy bonding, you need to keep certain things in mind.

Find Dog and Cat Breeds That are Compatible With Each Other

First, you need to research the dog and cat breeds that are friendlier to one another. Some dog breeds have higher prey drive and they need to be kept away from other animals, as discussed earlier. Some cat breeds also do not like their space to be shared with someone else.

Cat breeds like Ragdoll, Siamese, American Shorthair, Birman, Maine Coon, Siberian, Scottish Fold, and Siberian are very compatible to raise with a puppy. Such cats are very social and they can be good friends with the dogs. If your cat is suffering from loneliness, you may witness some Signs Your Cat Wants Another Cat or a dog in the house. 

Dog breeds like Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Shiba Inu, Basset Hound, and Beagle that are mentioned earlier are pretty decent to raise with a kitten.

A Slow Introduction is the Best Way to Begin!

Introducing puppy and kitten slowly to each other is the best way to strengthen their bonding, here are some tips for a slow and impactful introduction:

• Make sure they see one another but let them have their own space too.

• Make sure they have connected rooms with a baby gate between them.

• Don’t be worried if you get some weird reactions from your cat or dog, it's natural for them to repel each other at first, as they both may find each other scary at first sight.

• You can not expect extremely positive reactions in the beginning. If they are playful with each other from the start, it is good but even if they are just doing their own thing while being in proximity to each other without repulsing one another, it is a great sign that they will be able to live together comfortably.

If you keep these tips in mind, you may enter your home one day, and find your puppy and kitten cuddling and sleeping together comfortably which may signify their great bonding with each other.

Use Positive Reinforcement Techniques

After kitten and puppy adoption, take some time to positively reinforce the good behaviour in both adorable creatures. Here are some tips to do that:

• Provide both kitten and pup with treats whenever they show signs of positive association with each other. This way, they can understand that good bonding with each other can be very rewarding.

• Teach your pup and kitten some basic commands like “sit”, or “leave it”. Litter training for both of them is also very important.

• If you see some extreme physical behavior between them, just separate them. Puppy and kitten cuddling each other may seem adorable but you may never know when physical bonding can turn into a vicious fight.

• If your puppy is getting too close to your kitten or the kitten is starting to make hissing sounds, you need to interfere so that they can learn to respect each other’s social boundaries.

Time and Patience are Required for Pets’ Bonding

Patience is a virtue, especially when you are trying to encourage your pup and kitten to develop some great bonding with each other. Here are the tips to manage their time together:

• Their meal timings should be different, as dogs are very protective about their food. Your cat may come to sniff the dog’s food and your dog may not like it. It is best to separate their meal times to avoid such confrontations.

• It is not a good idea to leave both your dog and cat alone at home together. If you need to leave the house for some urgent work, you can crate your dog for a long or close off part of your home with one of them in it.

• Creating a safe space in your house for both of them is a nice idea. They can stay out of each other’s space or play with each other whenever they feel like it.

Is a Kitten a Good Companion for a Puppy?

Pet owners may make rash decisions and later wonder whether is it a good idea to get a puppy and kitten at the same time or not. You need to consider a lot of factors before deciding about raising a puppy and kitten together like their breeds, and behavioral patterns. You need to dedicate some time to training both of them and consult regularly with your vet about the kind of relationship they are developing with each other.