Are you looking to add a new fluffy companion to your family? If you're not sure whether you'd like a puppy or a kitten, our vets at Limehouse Veterinary Clinic can offer some insight into why raising puppies and kittens together is a great idea.
Raising a Puppy Kitten Together
While it's always exciting to welcome a new pet into the house, it can be downright daunting to prepare for two new furry companions to arrive at the same time. However, there are a lot of benefits to raising your new puppy and kitten together. When cats and dogs are properly introduced at a young age, the hate and fear instinct doesn't have the chance to take hold and grow in them, so these obstacles can be overcome much faster.
Though how well your puppy and kitten will get along may depend on their breeds to some extent, puppies and kittens can be the perfect match for each other in most cases.
Our Glendale vets will explain how raising both puppies and kittens at the same time can benefit your pets.
Are They a Good Match?
Puppies and kittens are generally a good match for several different reasons, including:
- They're able to keep each other company - Your pet misses you when you leave the house. Having a puppy and kitten at home together can give each pet someone to spend time with during those hours and days when they would otherwise be alone.
- They will groom each other - Puppies and kittens who live in close quarters will start to clean each other. This will help each pet maintain personal hygiene.
- They'll sleep together and comfort each other - Sleeping in a new place can be scary for any animal. However, a puppy and kitten around the same age can cuddle up when they want to sleep. Plus, think of the photo opportunities that your puppy and kitten sleeping together will bring!
- They can be the other's best buddies outdoors - While kittens do not always venture outdoors, they may be another friend for your puppy to play with as your young dog is learning to go outside. You may decide to put both your puppy and kitten on a leash and take them outside for playtime.
- You can teach them each the same house rules - Just as you are teaching your dog not to jump on furniture or to stay out of certain rooms, your cat can be taught the same rules. This will also make it easier on your puppy, as they will not be subjected to one set of rules while the kitten follows another.
- They can learn to potty train together - Raising a puppy and kitten at the same time also means you can potty train them together. They'll be able to learn from each other as they make their way through the process.
Can a Puppy & Kitten Become Best Friends?
One benefit of raising a puppy and a kitten together is that they will most likely be the best of friends for life. Since they are growing up together, they are there for each other. Having each other also helps especially if your cat or puppy has anxiety or attachment insecurities.
Make sure to do some research on the best types of dogs that bond with cats. Certain types of dogs -- those with a strong prey drive -- aren't usually good with felines. Think twice about keeping any kind of terrier, sighthound, or husky with cats.
Spaniels and retrievers, bulldogs, Keeshonds, poodles, and Lhasa apsos are usually good with kittens.