A dog and a cat which have recently given birth in China are taking it in turns to ‘childmind’ for each other.

Both animals are owned by Gao Shunhong, of Fushun, Liaoning province, who adopted the dog two years ago and the cat one year ago.

“They get along together incredibly well for a cat and dog,” he told the Fushun Daily newspaper.

Two weeks ago, the cat gave birth to a litter of two kittens, and three days later, the dog produced a litter of six puppies.

“Both mothers put their cubs together in the same box, and rotate in nursing them,” said Gao.

“When the dog is out, the cat will lie down and nurse the kittens and puppies, and when the dog came back, the cat would go out, leaving the nursing job to the dog.

“If both mothers are in, the cubs can get quite mixed up, with the cat nursing the puppies, and the dog nursing the kittens.

“It’s really odd – but a great picture of harmony.”