For dogs, walks with their pet parents are a special time for play, bonding and exercise. When that time is threatened or no longer fun, sometimes pet parents have to figure out a way to get the magic back. For one rescue dog on TikTok, his owner had to step in and make their walking routine special again, and it included appeasing a local neighborhood cat that was putting a damper on their walks.
For Cactus, a rescue dog whose owner posts his life on TikTok, every walk recently followed the same pattern. He would step onto the sidewalk with excitement, his tail moving nonstop. Yet, a few houses down the street, all of that would vanish as he encountered the neighborhood cat called Orange Boy.
Previous encounters rarely ended calmly, with the cat having a habit of jumping out at Cactus. He would appear suddenly from bushes or fences, startling Cactus and his owner.
But they had a plan how to get them to be friends. After several tense moments, the family decided to change their approach. Instead of trying to avoid the area, they planned a peace offering. They brought some small cat-safe treats and approached the usual meeting slowly.
This time, as Orange Boy was watching from a distance, they offered him treats on the ground and stepped back. They gave the cat space to decide, and as he picked up the treats and ate them, he stayed in place rather than jumping toward Cactus.
On his part, Cactus was excited with this development, and we cannot wait to see whether the two will become the best of friends.
Walking a Rescue Dog
Pet parents with rescue dogs know this type of feeling all too well when out for walks. Rescue dog owners may have to deal with unpredictable outdoor encounters during their daily walks, and rescue puppies often carry trauma from past experiences. They need time to adjust to new environments, and walks can often be a stressful experience.
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The trick is to plan routes, carry treats and read body language as best you can. Always watch how pets respond to neighborhood animals and adjust expectations.
Can Dogs and Cats Be Friends?
The internet is full of videos of dogs and cats being friendly to each other, but that is not always the case. Meetings between dogs and cats should be supervised because their interactions can vary widely. Some cats ignore dogs, while others may react defensively. When their territory is threatened, cats may even attack dogs.
Rescue dogs often react to fast movements and surprise appearances, making the introduction to cats even more challenging. Gradual exposure with controlled distance can help reduce tension.
And if you face any challenges, just watch the adorable video of Cactus and Orange Boy. It’s a great example of how you can have your dog and cat be friends. Just don’t rush anything, and let the bond grow gradually.
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This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Feb 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.