Are you considering getting a puppy to keep your cat company but concerned they might clash like cats and dogs?
A new study, the first to address this dilemma, from Tel Aviv University, has found a formula for success. If you get a cat first and a dog from a young age (kittens under 6 months old, and puppies under 1 year old), there is a good chance that your two pets will get along.
The findings of the recent study were featured in the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science.
“This study is relevant to the one-third of the US population who own a cat or dog but are thinking about getting a second pet of the opposite species,” said Professor Joseph Terkel of Tel Aviv University’s Department of Zoology.
Understanding Language
After conducting interviews with approximately 200 individuals who own both cats and dogs, followed by filming and analyzing the animals’ interactions, researchers from Tel Aviv University concluded that cats and dogs can live together harmoniously under specific conditions. According to Professor Terkel and graduate student Neta-li Feuerstein, two-thirds of the households surveyed reported a positive bond between their cat and dog.
But it wasn’t always smooth sailing. Twenty-five percent of the households said their cat and dog were indifferent to each other, while 10% said their animals were aggressive and even bit each other.
One possible reason for conflicts between dogs and cats could be their inability to interpret each other’s body language. For instance, cats often lash their tails when upset, whereas dogs growl and arch their backs. When happy, cats purr, but dogs express happiness by wagging their tails. Additionally, a cat turning its head away signals aggression, while the same gesture in a dog indicates submission.
In homes where cats and dogs have a fairly peaceful relationship, Professor Terkel has observed a surprising behavior: “We have found that cats and dogs have learned to speak each other’s language. The surprising thing is that cats can speak ‘dog language’ and vice versa.”
However, there’s something especially fascinating. Professor Terkel points out that both dogs and cats appear to have developed beyond their natural instincts. They are capable of understanding each other’s body language, indicating that the two species might share more similarities than commonly believed.
Peaceful Pets Can Set an Example for Humans
When dogs and cats become accustomed to each other’s presence and body language, they can engage in play, greet one another with nose rubs, and even nap side by side on the couch. They might share water bowls, and some even groom each other. The findings of the Tel Aviv University study on dogs and cats carry broader implications, extending to individuals who struggle to get along, such as neighbors, colleagues, and global superpowers.
