Got a cat? Want a dog? Despite the cliché about fighting like cats and dogs, it's perfectly possible for the two species to live happily under one roof. However, it's also perfectly possible for a cat to injure a dog, and for a dog to seriously hurt or even kill a cat. To keep your home a peaceable kingdom, you'll want to arm yourself with some know-how before you add a new dog.

Picking your new pet

That said, if you've got an adult cat, it's possible to find a dog who will coexist with him. Before you dive in to the search, here are some pointers to keep in mind:

• If you've already got an adult cat, it's better to get an adult dog than a puppy. That puppy exuberance that we find so charming is annoying and stressful to cats.
• Look for a dog with a track record of living peacefully with felines. Question the breeder, rescue group, or shelter caring for the dog you're interested in. If the dog fixates on and stalks cats, squirrels, or smaller dogs, he's got a high prey drive (the tendency to chase and sometimes kill smaller animals). It's difficult if not impossible to train such a dog to ignore his instincts. Certain breeds tend to have higher prey drives than others; see a ranking of prey drive among different breeds here.
• Think twice about getting more than one dog. Dogs are more likely to chase, harass, or harm a cat if they're in a pack.