Dogs provide support to Cheetahs in zoos.

A number of zoos are now raising puppies and cheetah kittens together to help combat the big cats’ stress and focus their wild energy.

A number of zoos are now raising puppies and cheetah kittens together to help combat the big cats’ stress and focus their wild energy.Male cheetahs can be solitary and territorial, but they’ll often group with other males for support. Importantly, cheetahs in captivity can be easily agitated. Built to flight rather than fight, they are always on edge and ready to leap into action with incredible bursts of speed as they grow older. In a zoo setting, such nervous energy has nowhere to go. So, zoos have discovered that raising puppies and cheetah cubs together helps refocus the big cat's energy.

Since the 1980s, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park has had a zoo captivity program to let the cheetah cubs socialize with dogs. This helps the cubs to learn from the playful and friendly nature of the dog. Dogs are first introduced to the cubs by the time the latter is three to four months old. They are introduced by being placed on either side of the fence as a keeper walks the dog around on a leash. As they get closer to each other, and if the handlers feel it was safe for the dogs, they are allowed to play together as part of the socializing program.

The San Diego zoo's initiative has shown positive results. It has prompted other zoos to carry out such similar programs under strictly monitored environments.