Build Outdoor Cat Enclosure

Our veterinarian suggested to us that we build an outdoor cat enclosure to help our canine and feline pets live at peace with one another. We had tried to teach them to be respectful of each other but the problems just continued. For them both to live in the house became absolutely impossible and so the suggestion to put our cat outside in a house and enclosure came up. Our veterinarian felt that it would be easier for our cat to adjust to living outside than for our dog. Most people believe falsely that dogs are born with a genetic hatred for cats. The fact is that most dogs are imprinted with the desire to chase prey and cats as small animals fit perfectly into this category. Though usually it is true that with patience and hard work you can usually train your dog and cat to live peaceably with and even like each other ours just wouldn't learn. Of course certain dogs are bred for their hunting abilities. There is a small test that our vet taught us that can help you better understand the extent of your dog's inbuilt reaction to "prey." What you do is, toss one of your dog's favorite toys across the room. Watch his reaction. Does he ignore the toy? Does he run to retrieve it and simply bring it back to you? Or instead does he chase the toy, attacking, chewing and shaking it? If your dog responded by ignoring the toy then his "prey drive" is low. If he calmly retrieved the toy then he would get a medium rating but if he pounced on the toy and proceeded to "shake it to death" it then his "prey drive" is very high. With us the problem was both our dog and cat so we got the outdoor cat enclosure built and since then things have been much more peaceful.