It is such a joy to have a little fluffy pooch to take care of, play with and cuddle with in our home. Having animals around the house adds more light, brightness and life. Some people prefer having many dogs at home and the constant barking and playing around the house brings them incomparable pleasure and amusement. What if we add another species to the family? A cat, perhaps? What happens if we mix a Shih Tzu and a cat under one roof? Will it be friendship or disaster?
Actually, nobody can answer that question for all dogs and cats. Sometimes they do get along and it is truly cool to see but sometimes they prefer killing each other. The best way to know is to introduce them – under supervision. It is suggested to have at least three meetings before deciding to adopt a cat into your home. It is best that your home is the venue for the last meeting. During this period of first encounter, make sure to put your Shih Tzu on a harness and not on leash as this can cause tracheal collapse when the dog would consistently pull to reach the cat. Also, a harness will aid you in pulling your dog easily compared to a leash. The cat can be on leash and also prepare a cat bag or a big blanket for restrain just in case things will not be favorable.
If they both ignore each other, this may be a good sign; however, close monitoring is still suggested. Do not leave them unsupervised as something bad may still happen. If they are both staring at each other, it is best to break them apart especially when the cat hisses or the dog growls. Furthermore, allow them to sniff each other because this is a sign that they are willing to get to know one another. This behavior is the “hello” greeting in animals; but still, remember that first impression may never last.
Should you decide to adopt a cat, make sure to put the cat food at a higher area where the dog won’t be able to reach and NEVER EVER allow the cat near the Shih Tzu during meal time. This might lead to an undesirable tragedy.
