Are cats and dogs naturally enemies? Does having a dog mean you can't keep a cat? Actually, as long as the owner trains properly and feeds scientifically, it is not a problem for cats and dogs to get along harmoniously. The editor’s home also has one cat and one dog living peacefully. Let me share some important tips for pet lovers on keeping cats and dogs together.

Getting cats and dogs to live harmoniously may be a concern for many pet parents

　　1. Emotional Expressions of Cats and Dogs
　　Cats and dogs express themselves in opposite ways to convey meanings.
　　1. The "purring" sound cats make means "I like you." Dogs understand this as "Go away, or I will bite you."
　　2. When dogs wag their tails at cats, it means "I want to play with you," but cats interpret it as "Stay away, or I will attack."
　　3. Dogs extending their paws indicates friendliness, but cats see it as provocation; dogs are generally naive, loyal, and obedient to their owners, while cats are solitary, aloof, and cunning, refusing to do what they don’t want no matter who forces them.

Let cats and dogs accept each other starting from a young age

　　2. The Best Age for Cats and Dogs to Get Along is During Youth
　　At this stage, their thinking is still simple and they adapt to each other more easily, which helps build a close relationship that lasts as they grow.
　　Adult dogs (especially those with gentle personalities) can also get along relatively easily with young cats. Dogs are generally carefree and can accept different species, and young cats’ innocent nature makes them less likely to reject dogs. Their friendship will gradually form over time.
　　It is quite difficult for adult cats and dogs to live peacefully together. When they first meet, dogs will actively approach cats, but adult cats absolutely cannot accept this warm greeting and may even extend their sharp claws to hurt the dog, causing the dog’s resentment and resulting in enmity between them.
　　Besides the language barrier, adult cats also have a strong sense of territory, making it hard for them to accept others.
　　From the above, we can see that cats and dogs are not inherently enemies. Perhaps it is the difference in communication that turns their original goodwill into hostility. However, they share a commonality: both are pets that rely on humans for care. Therefore, adjusting the way we raise them can enable them to coexist.
　　3. How Dogs Can Live Peacefully
　　At the first meeting, keep an appropriate distance. When your cat and dog start living together, it’s best to keep the dog leashed and maintain some distance from the cat until they become familiar with each other’s scent before releasing the dog.
　　Of course, if both are puppies and kittens, that’s even better. No need for the owner to worry—they will accompany you harmoniously for life.
　　4. Appropriate Unfair Measures
　　Don’t let your cat see you being very good to the dog. Animals also get jealous; the cat will feel its territory is taken and it has lost favor.
　　Often let the dog and cat rub against each other. At first, the cat will be angry, but over time it will get used to it. Show that you like the cat more and treat it well. The dog thinks, "My owner feeds, cares for, and carefully looks after me, they are like gods I admire!"
　　The cat thinks, "My owner feeds, cares for, and carefully looks after me, I should be the god they admire!" How to raise pets so that cats, dogs, and other small pets can live peacefully together.

The main point of keeping cats and dogs together is to avoid them eating each other's food

　　5. Feeding Techniques
　　Cats eat at high places, dogs eat at low places.
　　The dishes should be as far apart as possible. Before cats and dogs fully get familiar with each other, never put their dishes together. Some pets may become possessive and regard the two bowls placed together as their own, treating the other as an intruder. So each should have their own independent dining area.
　　As for when to combine their "dining areas," take it slow and see how it goes. Don’t be disappointed—some cats and dogs live together for years but still eat separately. Peace is a blessing. As long as no one is hungry, everything is fine!
　　6. Eating Separately Tastes Better
　　Cats and dogs eat different kinds and in different ways. Cats eat very moderately; you can prepare a day’s worth of food and water for them and leave the house without worry.
　　Cats’ food will tempt dogs a lot, so put the food in a high place and provide a jump board for the cat, as long as the dog can’t reach it.
　　Compared to cats, dogs are less picky and never tire of eating. You must feed them on a schedule and never prepare all their food for one day at once, or they might finish it in just 10 minutes.