Keeping Your Cat Safe from Other Pets
Providing “safe places” for cats is an important part of maintaining peace and keeping pets safe from harm in multiple-pet homes. This is especially important when cats are living with dogs. If your kitten learns that he can escape unwanted attention by moving to a designated resting area that is not accessible to the dog, this can keep him safe and will help him to feel secure in your home. Since cats enjoy resting and sometimes hiding in elevated places, a raised resting platform or climbing structure that has cubby holes is a great way to provide these places in multiple-pet homes. Cats learn that these areas are “off-limits” to the dog and are good places to get some quiet time when they need it.
Even in the most peaceful of homes, where dogs and cats get along fabulously, it is important to remember that most dogs are larger and stronger than cats and so can do great harm if they play too roughly or if predatory drive suddenly takes over from normal play behaviors. For this reason, owners should always avoid leaving cats alone with dogs when they are away or when pets are not supervised.
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