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Owning a dog and a cat can be really fun, that is if you love both of them. However, you might expect that dogs and cats will get along easily the first time you introduce them to each other but that’s not always the case. Dogs have been bred differently and this determines how they relate with cats. The same case applies to cats. For example, the Sight-hound breed has been trained to hunt, this means that it will chase any fast-moving animal, even your cat. Dogs that were bred to herd will see the cat as another member of the heard, but not all cats love being bossed around. You can train your dog, from when it is a puppy, to be friendly with your cat but different breeds of dogs relate differently to cats. Several factors like age, personality, and training will determine how well your dog and cat will get along. When looking for a dog that will readily get along with your cat, you have to do some research on the best dog breeds to choose from. The following is a list of some of the best dog breeds for cats. PUG Pug is a popular dog breed that originated in China. It’s very sociable, gentle, even-tempered and charming. They are always eager to have a companion and make friends with every animal they meet, even cats. You don’t have to worry about leaving the Pug alone with cats; they can keep each other company when you’re away. COLLIE Collie is a very active and friendly dog. It was bred as a herding dog but displays a high level of train-ability and companionship. They are able to easily fit in a daily family lifestyle so getting along with your cat won’t be a problem. BASSET HOUND Basset Hounds are of the Hound breed, meaning they are stubborn and hard to live with. However, they get this way if you try to boss them around. Otherwise, they are known to readily socialize with children, pets and even strangers. BEAGLE Beagle are famous chase dogs, they always have that instinct to give chase to anything that moves fast. However, not all Beagles are like that, they can be really friendly with other animals and can get along with your cat with a little training. However, you may need to ask for at the dog’s history, if he has been good with cats then you’re good to go. BULLDOGS These are some of the fiercest looking dogs but they have very tender hearts. They are known to be friendly with children and other pets. They also have a very easy going personality that allows them to welcome other pets’ companionship. LABRADOR Labradors are fierce dogs at first due to their size and playfulness, but they eventually come to get along with cats. All they need is a little training and familiarizing with the cat and they will be best friends in no time. However, you need to choose carefully depending on the cat’ age. Older cats have no problem with Labrador puppies. Introduce the dog carefully and watch them for some time. PAPILLON Papillions are a breed of dog known for their intelligence and fast learning traits. They are very friendly to almost everyone but not very welcoming to strangers. They are also very affectionate and social which makes them a perfect match for cats. Their size is also not very intimidating to cats. GOLDEN RETRIEVER The Golden Retriever is very playful as a puppy, chasing everything but inducing no harm. As they grow up, they still have the prey instincts but this doesn’t prevent them from being best friends with cats. They are very friendly, loving and also protective of both the cat and the owner. CAVALIER KING CHARLES SPANIEL To begin with, this dog’s size is almost the same as that of some cats. However, they can be very fierce and chasing the cat and other pets all the time. However, if a formal introduction is done, and some training, this dog can be very friendly, affectionate and playful, and very ready to associate with the cat. BOXER The Boxer is a fierce dog, so your cat needs to be a tough one to deal with this dog. It’s one of the best dogs to train which means you can train it to be nice to your cat as it acts as a guard to the cat and you, the owner. BICHON FRISÉ This dog doesn’t require any training to get along with your cat. They are naturally playful, social and always jovial. However, your cat needs to be playful and you need to teach your dog not to bother your cat when it wants to be left alone. CONCLUSION The dog breeds mentioned above are some of the best cat-friendly dogs. You still need to be careful because their personality may differ, but they should be the first in your list when getting a dog for your cat.

Do you know your pup’s normal body temperature? Ever wondered why your dog feels cozy and warm on chilly nights? You will be surprised to realize that your dog’s normal internal temperature is higher than your own. As a dog owner, it is important to learn how to take your dog’s temperature and to know what is normal and what is not. Knowing how to take your dog’s temperature is crucial because it will determine whether the dog is sick or not. It may also make you detect illness early so that you initiate a prompt treatment. This could prevent his condition from getting worse. While you can always rely on a thermometer to take your dog’s temperature, it is advisable that you know how to do it even without one. This is how to go about it; Use a Rectal Thermometer A rectal thermometer is widely accepted among scientists. It is the best one to use while measuring the internal temperature of your dog. Although this might not be the most humorous part of a dog’s owner, it is the most accurate method to use in finding the actual body temperature. This can usually be done in less than a minute while using a digital thermometer. So it doesn’t sound so bad. When using a rectal thermometer, use some petroleum jelly to lubricate the end of the thermometer. Because most dogs hate having their rare ends manipulated, it’s advisable that you get another person to help hold your dog. It should be a person that the dog likes and can talk to him soothingly. . Let the person place one arm around the dog’s neck and the other arm under the dog’s belly, gently hugging the dog against his or her own body. Ensure you lift the tail out of the way and gently insert the thermometer about an inch into your dog’s anus. Press the start button and wait for about 30 seconds for the beep signaling completion. Remove the thermometer, clean it and read the temperature. A temperature of 100.5⁰ to 102⁰ F is normal. by measuring the infra-red heat waves emitted from the eardrum. You should place the thermometer into the horizontal ear canal to get an accurate reading. The normal ear temperature of a dog is 100⁰ to 103⁰ Fahrenheit. Note that ear thermometers when not used properly can be less accurate. You can as well check your dog’s temperature even without a thermometer. This may happen when there’s an urgent issue with your dog and you can’t access the thermometers in good time. Here is how you would go about it; Feel Your Dog’s Paws and Ears with the Back of Your Hand You can use your body part that is more sensitive to heat, like your cheeks or the back of your hand. A dog with a high body temperature usually feels hot on their paws and ears. If the temperature feels hotter than your own, then it could be an indication that your dog isn’t feeling well. Feel the Armpits and the Groin Area Dogs just like humans can have their armpits and groin area feel warm when they have a fever. This is because these areas have lymph nodes that contain immune cells that fight infections. Whenever there is an infection, the lymph nodes become filled with antibodies making the area feel warmer than the other parts of the body. Besides, these parts are rather exposed because they lack fur. This makes it easy to assess your dog’s temperature. Feel the Dog’s Nasal Area It is normal for a dog’s nose to become dry when laying out under the sun or exercising. A dog’s nose can be dry because of dehydration; this is quite dangerous for canines. If your dog’s nose is warm, dry and a greenish discharge is coming out, he may be suffering from an infection. When fever is present, the dog might be having inflammation or suffering from an upper respiratory system. The Final Thought Taking your dog’s temperature may seem easy. However, you need to ensure that you do it properly. You can use a thermometer to give you accurate measurements. If you can’t access any, then feel free to feel your dog’s body temperature with the back of your hands. Be sure to distinguish fever from normal temperature. If your dog’s temperature falls below 99⁰ F or rises above 103⁰ F, you should visit your vet immediately. For more follow up Pet Blogish.