"Cat-Dog" is Not Just a Cartoon

Raised Together, Kittens and Puppies Can Be Best Friends

Layla and Nico are a real "Cat-Dog."

I truly believe our little orange kitty, Nico, and our Yorkie, Layla, do not know or recognize that they are a cat and a dog. They grew up together from infancy, and each day the differences between them seem to grow smaller. Every day, I grow fonder of kitten/puppy relationships. If you have a pair that has grown up together in this special way, let me know. I’d love to see your videos and learn how your cat/dog “twins” get along.

Layla, our Yorkie, was given to our daughter when she was in college, holding down a full class load and a part-time job. Of course, she had trouble teaching the potty-training routine to Layla as there was no stability for regular or on-demand outings. I am at home nearly all the time, so I volunteered to train the pup. Layla moved in, and she immediately became a happy part of our household.

A few days later, we found our little orange tabby, Nico, trying to run across a busy street. We captured the terrified kitten from the weeds and took him to the nearest animal emergency clinic. He was checked out and had a broken leg that had already started to heal. I was instructed to keep him confined in a dog crate where he could roam only a foot or two, and to hold him as much as I could. Feedings were every two hours (day and night), with 20 plastic droppers full of kitten milk making up his meals for the next three weeks.

While our other two cats perched themselves on top of the crate like gargoyles protecting a castle, Layla positioned her body close to the crated kitten. Nico would limp over to where the pup was stationed and they would paw at each other and sniff through the crate. Layla would also work her way into my lap as I held Nico for his feedings. None of this bothered the kitten. I can only imagine that being stalked by a tiny baby Yorkie was nothing compared to the terror of being a feral kitten with no food, no water and everything trying to eat you.

After a few days watching Layla trying to get closer and Nico not seeming to mind, I allowed the pup to go into the kitty sanctuary. Voila! They were instant pals for life. They snuggled and groomed each other. They napped and whined for dinner together. And in the evening, Layla would stand at the crate door waiting to be let into Nico’s lair for the night.

This special relationship has grown over the past four years as the cat-dog twins seem to have no cat vs. dog issues. They chase each other back and forth around the house and play with the same toys. These two fluff balls even sleep in the same cat (or dog) bed. Whenever Layla goes outdoors, Nico can be found perched in the window, whining with a loud "MEOW," until his “sister” returns to his side. I feel fortunate that these two small animals came into my life at the same time and have bonded so well. They each have their own relationships with our other cats and dog, but together they are truly my "Cat-Dog" dream come true."

Do you have a cat-dog pair in your home? If you create your own profile here on CATVIDEOS.COM, you can upload your story, photo and videos of your cat family (and dogs, too!) and connect with other cat lovers in our cat community.