Maintaining Pet Harmony in Your Home

In the wild, carnivorous animals naturally eat animals below them on the food chain to survive. Take precautions when you keep an animal lower on the food chain than another pet. The cat may love you, but she may not hesitate to eat the mouse.

 

Socialize your pets by keeping them calm and under restraint. Allow them to examine one another, but don't allow any aggression. Some pets are simply curious and will not harm your smaller pet.

Snakes must be kept in their cage or supervised if you have other pets in the home. Small pets aren't the only ones needing protection either. Large snakes have been known to swallow rabbits, cats and small dogs when left unattended.

 

Conflict isn't always the serpent's fault. Snakes aren't just hunters—they're also the hunted. If your snake is small, a cat or dog may attack and harm him or her—just another reason to keep your pets separated until you're certain of no danger.

Fish must be protected from other animals in the home, especially cats. Keep the top of the aquarium covered and away from any shelves or tables that would allow kitty to go fishing. If you don't have a cover for your aquarium, consider a universal hood that fits most tanks.

 

Even though your cat may be afraid of water, she might put her fears aside in this situation. As a fish owner you must also check compatibility before adding any new fish to your aquarium; many types of fish cannot live together the same aquarium. Tank dividers can be used to create two separate areas that keep hostile fish apart.

Rabbits, hamsters and other small animals must often be protected from other pets. Dogs and cats are both natural hunters and if they're not socialized at a young age may not be able to resist chasing small animals. Choose habitats and homes that are designed to keep small furry pets safe from predators.

Birds can be frightened by both cats and dogs. Cats and dogs are clever animals. Don't assume that your bird can protect itself from other pets by simply flying out of range. Dogs will chase and bark at a bird simply for pleasure, but, fortunately, some dogs will eventually become accustomed to the bird and ignore it.

 

Keep your bird in a cage placed very high off the floor and away from shelves that kitty can climb on. Fasten a bell to your cat's collar to give your bird (and wild birds if your cat goes outside) a warning signal.

Children, especially young children, can become overexcited about getting a new pet. Encourage children to talk quietly to the new animal and avoid face-to-face contact (which can sometimes scare an animal unaccustomed to children). Dogs and cats may be particularly interested in a newborn baby. Allowing your pets to become familiar with the baby is important to maintaining harmony, but supervision is necessary at all times.

 

Don't let our warnings discourage you. Sharing your home with multiple pets allows you to enjoy more of the pleasures the animal kingdom has to offer. Your pets may even surprise you by becoming good friends!