Can A Dog Be Taught To Be Friendly Towards Cats?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Yes, they are

. Dogs and cats are two very different species and they see each other as potential prey. But this doesn't mean that they can't get along. In fact, many households have proven that dogs and cats can become best friends.

Can you teach a dog to tolerate cats?

The reality is that some dogs will never be able to coexist happily with cats. With the right planning and a lot of patience, however,

it is absolutely possible to teach some dogs to tolerate

, or even become buddies with cats.

Can you teach a dog not to hate cats?

Give the dog lots of treats and attention to keep him focused on you. Play with the dog and practice obedience commands in the presence of the cat in the carrier. If the dog lunges towards the cat or pays attention to the cat, firmly say “no” and insert your body between the cat and the dog to regain his attention.

What dog hates cats the most?

  • American Pit Bull Terrier.
  • Scottish Deerhound.
  • Greyhound.
  • Samoyed.
  • Bedlington Terrier.
  • Weimaraner.
  • Beagle.
  • Shih Tzu.

How long does it take for a dog to get used to a cat?

Liz Palika noted that, in her experience, the “get acquainted” process usually takes

two to three weeks

. Dr. Landsberg noted that sometimes it's not easy to tell by their interactions if a dog and cat are getting along or not.

How do I get my dog to stop hating my cat?

  1. Match Personalities. …
  2. Teach Basic Commands. …
  3. Redirect the Behavior. …
  4. Keep Your Pets Entertained and Busy. …
  5. Introduce Them All Over Again.

How do you introduce an aggressive dog to a cat?

  1. Getting started. Make sure the cat has access to a dog-free sanctuary at all times. …
  2. Keep the pets separate at first. …
  3. Feed them on opposite sides of a closed door. …
  4. Teach basic commands. …
  5. Begin face-to-face meetings. …
  6. Repeat sessions daily. …
  7. Allow pets loose together. …
  8. Proceed with caution.

How do you tell if a dog is aggressive towards cats?

  • Rigid Stillness. A telltale sign of impending aggression towards a cat is if the dog were to freeze in place and become rigidly still. …
  • Staring. …
  • Visual Tracking. …
  • Tail up. …
  • Hackles raised. …
  • Barking/Whining. …
  • Low Growling. …
  • Baring Teeth/Snarling.

Will my dog hurt my cat?


Dogs can severely injure cats

, so it is important to ensure that they are fighting for as short of a time as possible. Cats can also harm dogs, but this happens far less often. In most cases, the cat is simply trying to get away from the dog.

Why do dogs dislike cats?


Competitive Instincts

Dogs and cats are both predators, and as such, they may compete for resources such as food and water. In fact, this is one of the most commonly cited reasons why dogs hate cats. In nature, the cat would typically be the dominant predator, but in a domestic setting, the dog is often the top dog.

What is the best dog to have with cats?

  • #1: Golden Retriever. Golden Retrievers are one of the best dogs for cats, and “golden” is a fitting word to describe this classic breed. …
  • #2: Labrador Retriever. …
  • #3: Beagle. …
  • #4: Pug. …
  • #5: Bichon Frise. …
  • #6: Shetland Sheepdog. …
  • #7: Basset Hound. …
  • #8: Poodle.

Will my dog get along with a cat?

Proper Introduction


The majority of cats can happily coexist with a dog if they are given time to comfortably get to know each other

. If a puppy and kitten are raised together, they generally will learn right away to tolerate each other, and some cats and dogs grow to be real friends, even playing and napping together.

Why is my dog so obsessed with cats?


If your dog has a strong prey drive

(the inclination to seek out, chase and potentially capture animals seen as prey — usually smaller animals such as cats or rabbits), she might become very focused on the cat. She'll stiffen, stare, and may start barking or whining.

Is it better to get a dog or a cat first?

In the most general terms, though, the best strategy would be to adopt first a middle-aged, well-mannered dog who shows little interest in cats, and then a kitten who has been raised in a household with friendly or indifferent dogs around.

How do you introduce a cat to a cat?

  1. Place your new cat's towel on or near your resident cat's favourite place and encourage him to approach.
  2. If your cat starts to hiss, spit or avoid the towel place it on the floor away from his bed or food bowl.

How do you introduce a dachshund to a cat?

  1. Put the cat in a safe, closed room.
  2. Separate the cat and dachshund with a stair gate.
  3. Swap smells.
  4. Let the newbie get used to the house.
  5. Walk your dachshund.
  6. Grab some treats.
  7. Keep your dachshund on a lead.
  8. Let the cat out.

Should I muzzle my dog when meeting a cat?

I have heard of newly-adopted dogs who went after a family cat and then the people couldn't bear to live with the dog anymore and discarded him. So our recommendation is to always separate dogs and cats in different parts of the house when you leave them alone — or

muzzle the dog so that the kitties stay safe.

Will my cat always hate my dog?

Though it's certainly possible, and actually quite common, for cats and dogs to get along and even form friendships,

some cats just want nothing to do with dogs

. They may even turn hostile toward the friendliest and gentlest of pups, leaving you to wondering what to do.

What if my dog kills a cat?

So when a dog chases or kills a cat, it's important to realize the dog is likely to do it again. Protect your other cats. If you have other cats, it's imperative to prevent access to them from now on.

Keep them completely separated from your dog or consider re-homing your dog or the cat

.

How do you know if a dog is good with cats?


Watch for tell-tale body language signals such as stiff posture, staring and lunging

. A 2017 study found that dogs react more strongly to cat sounds as opposed to the sight or smell of a cat. So, if you would like to bring a cat into your home, play your dog a few recordings of feline vocalizations.

Can you fix dog aggression towards cats?

If your dog is showing signs of aggression towards your cat,

proper training can help your pets learn to live together peacefully

. Creating a positive relationship through obedience training will help show your dog how to show appropriate behavior.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.