People often like to classify themselves as either a ‘dog person’ or a ‘cat person’. The trope that cats and dogs don’t get along helps fuel this division. But what if you like both dogs and cats? Or if you share your home with someone who would like a cat, while you want a dog?

Can they live together peacefully – or is it a chasm that can never be bridged? The good news is that both dogs and cats can live together peacefully. So, if it’s something you want to try, here are four tips to help.

1. There’s no perfect combination

While certain dog and cat breeds tend to have common traits, they’re also individual creatures who each have their reaction to being introduced to other animals. If you have a resident cat or dog and want to try them with another dog or cat it can help to find a friend who has one you can introduce your pet to, to see how they react.

2. Animals prefer animals who act like them

If your cat is quite relaxed and enjoys lounging in the sun, they may not react positively to a hyperactive puppy that just wants to play. It’s important to keep your current pet’s personality in mind when introducing a new pet. If their personality and activity levels match, they’re more likely to get along and cohabit peacefully.

3. You’ll need to be patient

Even if your new cat or dog matches your current pet’s personality perfectly, there may still be a transition period where they may not get along that well. So, it’s important to remain patient and give both animals time to adjust.

When introducing them to each other, you may want to start with them being separated by a barrier. You could also try and introduce the scent of the other animal before they meet face-to-face.

4. Give each animal space

Once the introductions are over and they’re living together peacefully in the same home, they each must get their own space. This could (and maybe should) include separate feeding and sleeping areas. And somewhere private where they can toilet.

It may also pay to add some baby gates so you can physically separate them. This is especially useful if you have a more playful dog and a cat who likes to just snooze in the sun.

You’ll also want to make sure you’re spending plenty of one-on-one time with each of your pets. Both cats and dogs love human companionship and spending time alone with them will help strengthen the bond between you.

Dogs and cats both bring great joy as pets and they can even become the best of friends, as some of the cute YouTube videos show! Getting to this happy stage, however, can take time and patience, so make sure you’re prepared to put in the work that’s required.