For a long time, dogs and cats were declared enemies. Some people believed that where there was a dog there could not be a cat and vice versa. If before they did not have the habit of living together, today they live together and some are even inseparable. But beware! Animals do not always understand each other at first and the adaptation process requires time and patience from the guardian so that they learn to respect each other's needs.For you who have a dog and a kitten and need help to adapt them, we have separated eight tricks to improve coexistence. The trainer Max Pablo, from Rio de Janeiro, gave some tips and we also talked to the cat-sitter Nathane Ribeiro, who has three cats and has already had to adapt them with a dog. See what they said!

Dog and cat: you can have both together without any problem

You don't have to choose between having a cat or a dog. In order to create harmony between animals, it is necessary to understand, first of all, that they are different from each other. This statement is even obvious, but it makes all the difference. After that, some things need to be put in place so that this coexistence is healthy and harmonious for everyone. Let's go to the tips:

1. don't let the dog make the cat a toy

Some dogs are so euphoric with cats that they can play rough. As they are smaller, depending on the way they play, an accident can occur. It is important to supervise the play between the two: "Coexistence is the best way to teach, naturally, that the other animal is not a toy. If there is an exception, the ideal is to take the focus off the cat and replace it with the other animal.for real toys, something that the dog likes much more," Max explains. Over time, the dog will understand and learn from the cat the best way to have fun. If you don't feel able to make this adaptation of the dog with the cat, look for a dog trainer.

2. invest in pheromone diffusers to calm pets down

There are already some diffusers on the pet market that release essences (pheromones) to calm dogs and cats. This product is indicated by behaviorists to adapt animals and make them calmer in various situations. In case the environment has a dog and a cat, it is important to have a specific product for each, since one is not able to smell the hormone released by the other's product.

3. take into account the age of the cat and dog

If you have an adult or elderly cat, adapting with a puppy dog may be more difficult. This is because the kitten will probably not have the same energy level as a puppy. The adaptation may be easier between an elderly cat and an elderly dog, for example, as both are usually calmer. In the opposite case, an adult dog can adapt easily with a puppy feline. There are stillcases where the adult female dog treats the kitten as her own child, so it is important to think about these factors before buying or adopting a new pet.

4. divide the environment: a space for the dog, cat in another place

At first, to facilitate the adaptation, you can leave the animals separated so that they can smell each other and get to know each other little by little. An idea is to pet one and take your hand to the other to smell, so they get used to each other. It is also important to separate the spaces for each one, putting the cat's food in one place and the dog's in another. If you go out, do not leave your animals together,thus avoiding aggressive behavior in their absence, especially from the dog: "If there is aggressive behavior, the dog must be reprimanded at the exact moment of the occurrence. Following the behavioral line, it is necessary to socialize the dog little by little ", advises the trainer.

5. give the same attention to the cat and the dog

It is essential to give the same attention and affection to all the animals in the house. Pets can sense when they are left out and can become overly frustrated by this. They should understand that one is not better than the other and that both are loved equally. When you are petting the cat, the dog should not be left out. When you offer a special meal to the dog, offer italso to the cat.

6. invest in a "safe place" for the cat

Kittens like to see the world from above and to feel safe, away from those who might make them feel stressed, such as unfamiliar humans and dogs. It's important that your cat has a space to feel protected. Ideally, you should declutter the environment, with shelves, dens and places that make your cat feel more comfortable. It's also worth putting your cat's objects, such as toys and toys.food jars, away from the dog so that he can do these activities without fear of the canine.

7. cat vs dog: the feline is in charge

Don't be alarmed if your cat puts himself above your dog: it's in the nature of felines to feel that they own the house and the furniture. You know when kitty rubs against furniture and objects? This behaviour is to indicate that he is the boss of the place. By establishing a relationship with another species, the cat imposes his limits. It is therefore perfectly normal if your dog becomes submissive to the cat. don'tscold the feline and always supervise contact between them, especially at the beginning.

8. create a harmonious environment for animals

There is no point in investing in any of this if the environment where the animals live is not healthy. Everyone in the house must have a harmonious relationship so that the animals understand this too. Remember that they are able to feel our emotions! The ideal is to guide everyone in the family to respect the behaviors that both the cat and the dog will express when they are together.

Gallery: photos of dogs and cats to fall in love with!

Still haven't convinced you to get both pets? Relax, with this amazing gallery of 30 cat and dog photos, you're sure to fall in love:

How to train a cat?

The training service also exists when we talk about kittens. Cats can learn many things, but in a different way than dogs. The stimulus of feline training is given with cat games, use of catnip and diffusers with pheromones, in addition to the installation of scratchers and other enrichments. What is sought in cat training is the adaptation of the feline with the place,learn to respect the dog as the other animal in the house and to get along better with other cats.