Blended Fur-mily

Want to introduce a different pet species into your menagerie? Here are tips on how to live peacefully in and manage a multi-pet household

- HELEN WALLACE

There are a lot of people out there who have a preference when it comes to pets. While some people are dog or cat lovers only, others might have a penchant for exotic pets or giant rabbits. Just as many people like, and want to own, more than one species, with others coming together when families or households come together.

South Africa is a nation of pet lovers, with over 60% of households owning at least one. While we may prefer dogs, with there being 9.1 million of them, compared to 2.4 million cats, many of them coexist without fighting, as much as the old saying would suggest otherwise! Multi-animal households are common, which means that it’s possible for everyone to get along (and there are tons of cute animal videos online to prove it). This doesn’t mean, however, that the introduction of a new pet shouldn’t be handled with care. Here are some things that you need to consider before bringing your different animals together and what to do to make the meeting as peaceful as possible.

1. PREPARE THE SPACE

When it comes to animals, especially our canine friends, scent is a powerful sense, with each whiff conveying loads of information to them. To keep their territorial response to a minimum when bringing home a new pet, prepare in advance by bringing bedding that has the new addition’s smell on it home so that your existing brood can have a good sniff and get used to it being in their house.

2. CONSIDER THE BREED