Cat, Dog Partners in Caring for Newborns

A cat and dog are sharing mother-care responsibilities in China. Whilst one of the mothers is out and about the other mother looks after the babies.

Nursing a baby is not an easy task, but it is less stressful if you can share that task with a partner. A cat and a dog in Fushun, Liaoning province have decided to share the job together and take it in turns to babysit for one another. Whilst the cat goes out chasing birds, mice and whatever cats usually get up to, the dog takes care of her six puppies and the cat's 2 kittens. When the cat has let off steam she comes back and lets the dog have a breath of fresh air. It seems an ideal situation for both mothers since they are not getting too over tired. Unlike human mothers they can both have a rest and get some sleep before the babies need feeding again; although feeding 8 animals between them must be extremely difficult at least they have each other to rely on. Both animals were adopted in the last few years by Gao Shunhong, of Fushun, Liaoning province. Gao told ananova.com that both cubs are placed in the same box and the mothers take it in turns to rotate them. The only problem that arises is when both mothers are inside because it can get a bit confusing with the seven puppies feeding from the cat and the two kittens feeding from the dog. Considering most dogs and cats don't like each other, Gao Shunhong told the Orange website that they get on like best mates. Despite the obvious difference in breed these two pets look out for one another. It was the cat who gave birth first though, to a litter of 2 kittens and then 3 days later her mate joined her with a litter of 6 puppies. Let's hope they stay together and perhaps go on to produce cat-dogs.