Avoid mixing predator-prey pets

Even if animals can be socialized, primary and natural instincts do not. So, if you thought about adopting pets that might hunt each other you may have made a mistake. For instance, if you already have a cat, but you want to adopt a fish too, you should know that your cat will change its behavior and will be on the lookout for hunting all day long. Thus, it is recommended to avoid predator-prey pets.

“Typically, in pairing we commonly stress predator-prey relationships in multi-species pairings. However, this is not always a factor. Early exposure during an animal’s critical development period can greatly impact their ability to socialize,” said Brian W. Ogle, assistant professor and program coordinator, Anthrozoology at Beacon College Leesburg, Florida.

Dr. Ogle has two cats that get along with a rabbit as well and he said that “this is only successful because my cats were exposed to rabbits as kittens and have grown up with them. Reinforcement of positive behaviors were critical.”