The coronavirus has redefined personal space – not just for us, but for our pets too. Cats and dogs value their own space, so most will be feeling confused as to why their house is a lot busier than normal, with many pet parents working from home and children off school. 

The key to creating a harmonious dog-cat relationship in enclosed space lies in keeping things as similar to the pre-lockdown time as possible. Here are some easy tips and suggestions on how to keep the atmosphere peaceful during quarantine.

Photo by Justin Veenema on Unsplash

Respect their personal space

Before even introducing a dog to a cat (or vice-versa), it’s important to understand that these predator animals are both territorial. Creating their personal space will enable them to seclude and feel in charge of their surroundings.

Furthermore, our canine and feline friends don’t enjoy socializing all the time. So during quarantine, your pets will need to get away from the constant hustle and bustle, conversations, and noise that can not only make them nervous but also interrupt their sleep.

Dogs, for instance, need to go through the sleep-wake cycles during the day to maintain quality rest. Constant naps and snoozing are essential for a dog to function properly, be in a good mood, as well as lower stress levels and anxiety.

Create a cozy retreat for your cat

Cats and dogs need their own territory if they are to live harmoniously together. Ultimately a cats’ behavior and friendship with a fellow canine housemate will depend on how in control the cat feels of its home and territory. Signs of a cat feeling too exposed include hiding, stealing food from other pets, aggressive and restless behavior, and similar.

You don’t need to worry if you live in a small apartment, as you can always utilize the vertical space to create a lovely retreat for a cat. Being natural climbers, cats enjoy trees, towers, and scratching rope. Though they can sleep pretty much anywhere, treating them to a gorgeous felt cat cave which is specifically designed to make your kitty feel isolated and safe enough from the rest of the household is a great idea. 

Exercise your dog to relieve stress

Despite the quarantine restrictions, there are great ways you can exercise your dog and compensate for the lack of needed walks. Dogs thrive when properly stimulated, both mentally and physically, making them more relaxed around cats or kittens.

You can employ the whole family and create obstacle courses, training sessions, and interactive games for your dog to get busy and engaged. Simple games like the Tug of War or Fetch are easy enough to be played indoors, and also great for sparking interest in your pooch and relieving all the excess energy. When the dog is tired out and satisfied, there’s less chance for friction and fussiness between the pets.

Photo by Tran Mau Tri Tam on Unsplash

Keep your pets’ belongings separate

It goes without saying that each of your pets should have its own bed, feeding bowls, and needed accessories. Most cat-dog fights happen over food and the feeding station, as both are very protective of their energy source. Cats and dogs rely on their sense of smell, so if you have the means, keep their belongings in separate rooms. Toys, beds, blankets, carriers, grooming supplies, and dishes should all be far apart. 

To prevent this nervous behavior, try scheduling your pets’ mealtime, and keep their dishes far apart. You can put your cat’s feeding bowl in an elevated place, out of the dog’s reach. This way, both pets will be occupied with their own meal and not feel threatened by each other.

Finally, treat your pets equally

Cats and dogs can very much sense their owner’s mood, so your demeanor can influence the way they feel about each other. This goes not only for toys, food, and treats but also given time and devotion. Distribute your love equally to both of your pets, and this will mostly shape the atmosphere in your house. In the end, our pets just want to feel accepted and safe, so in times of 24-hour enclosure, use the free time to show your pets the affection and love they deserve. 

Author: Jackie Brown

Pet expert Jackie Brown has spent 20 years following her passion for animals as a writer and editor in the pet publishing industry. She is contributing writer for National Geographic’s Complete Guide to Pet Health, Behavior, and Happiness: The Veterinarian’s Approach to At-Home Animal Care (April 2019) and author of the book It’s Raining Cats and Dogs: Making Sense of Animal Phrases (Lumina Press, 2006). Jackie is a regular contributor to pet and veterinary industry media and is the former editor of numerous pet magazines, including Dog World, Natural Dog, Puppies 101, Kittens 101 and the Popular Cats Series. Prior to starting her career in publishing, Jackie spent eight years working in veterinary hospitals where she assisted veterinarians as they treated dogs, cats, rabbits, pocket pets, reptiles, birds and one memorable lion cub. She lives in Southern California with her husband, two sons and miniature poodle Jäger. Reach her at jackiebrownwriter.wordpress.com.