Yes, Huskies can be good with cats. However, it could get ugly if not done right.
Huskies are a medium-sized dog breed originally bred in eastern Siberia by the Chukchi people. They’re known for their thick coat, distinctive facial structure, and blue eyes. Siberian Husky owners note that they’re friendly and engaging, which makes them an ideal pet for outgoing individuals.
However, unlike other dogs, Huskies can be stubborn and very determined, which makes it difficult to train and discipline them effectively. In situations where they share the same house with a cat, their interactions may differ greatly.
To understand the relationship between Huskies and cats, it’s important to study their behavior patterns. This will give you a clearer idea of what to expect when they interact. Our article aims to guide you through that, so read on!
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Do Huskies Get Along With Cats?
It ultimately depends on the individual Husky and how they were disciplined and raised.
While some Huskies are friendly and playful with cats, others’ natural instincts to chase small animals may lead to them viewing cats as prey. As such, it’s necessary to socialize a Husky with your cat from a small age.
Read this interesting study that collected questionnaires from 1270 owners that showed most dogs and cats can live together peacefully.
The Predatory Instinct of a Husky
Siberian Huskies are friendly and have outgoing personalities, but it’s important to keep in mind their strong prey drive and chase instinct.
Despite rigorous discipline and training, this instinct may not completely disappear. As such, it’s necessary to provide your Siberian Husky with enough exercise and mental stimulation to reduce their tendency to attack and chase.
Pet owners often observe that cats tend to dart from one place to another. This is troublesome for undisciplined Huskies, as it aligns with their predatory sequence – the behaviors they engage in after identifying a prey. Consequently, this may cause your dog to view the cat as prey and chase or attack it.
Huskies can be excellent friends with other dog breeds. However, due to the size difference and the said predatory behavior, it’s difficult for them to recognize smaller animals as fellow pets and not prey. As such, it’s best to familiarize your Husky with your cat from a young age.
Even when they’re best friends, Husky’s high prey drive and large size are still concerning. While extremely unlikely, they could easily harm or even kill a small animal while playing.
However, not all hope is lost. Let’s take a deeper look into their relationship with cats.
Can Cats and Huskies Live Together?
Yes! Huskies can get along with cats and live happily in the same house. However, there are a few factors you need to consider.
- Age: Older Huskies are more relaxed, but their personality is often well-developed. While it may be difficult to discipline, an older Husky is less likely to bother your cat. A Husky puppy, in contrast, is more likely to engage in rough or aggressive play with your cat.
- Personality: Similarly to humans, dogs have personalities, too. An aggressive dog may be more likely to view your pet as a prey animal and attack it, whereas a more relaxed Husky may be more accepting of your cat. Learn how to deal with an aggressive Husky.
- History: A dog’s previous experience with cats may dictate its behavior with yours. It’ll be less tolerant of cats if it was threatened by one before.
- Training: How your dog is disciplined dictates how it’ll behave in the presence of your cat. Make sure you know how to discipline your Husky.
Of course, the most critical factor is discipline. It’s necessary to train your Siberian Husky accordingly to ensure that they live harmoniously with your pet cat. Let’s give you some tips.
Training Your Husky To Live With a Cat
Training your Siberian Husky to tolerate and co-exist with a cat will be a difficult endeavor. Huskies are stubborn and very determined – it’s necessary to have an imposing, strong personality to get to their head. However, there are a few things you can do:
Discipline
It may take a lot of patience and discipline, but teaching your Husky to not bother your cat is feasible. Consistent training is key. Teach them basic commands, such as “leave it” or “stop,” reward them for good behavior (with a treat, for example), and punish them (not physically!) for bad behavior.
Discipline works best with a younger dog; an older or stubborn Husky may be more difficult to train. If that’s the case, consider employing the help of a professional dog trainer.
Socialize
For a harmonious relationship between your cat and Husky, it’s best to familiarize them with each other early on, ideally as a puppy and kitten. That way, they’re young and impressionable, easier to discipline, and they’ll grow to respect and view each other as fellow pets.
Stimulate
Huskies tend to be high-energy animals – they were bred to pull sleds and have a strong pack mentality. They require constant stimulation and exercise to remain healthy and happy.
If they’re overly excited and stimulated, they may chase or attack your cat. In contrast, once they’re tired, they become less aggressive and may be less inclined to do so.
Consider taking them on a brisk walk when you’re free. You can also buy them a toy, play fetch, or let them roam your garden/front yard.
Supervise
We recommend you keep your pets in separate rooms when unsupervised. If they’re in the same room, keep a close eye on them to ensure they don’t harm each other.
It’s also critical to provide them with safe spaces they can retreat to once they’re bothered. An ideal escape route for your cat could be a small hideout within a scratch tower.
Can Cats Aggravate the Situation?
Huskies aside, it’s necessary to consider the personality and feelings of your cat before bringing a Husky into your family. You should also take them to the vet to make sure they’re not allergic or potentially harmful to each other.
Most cats are highly territorial and aggressive – they wouldn’t appreciate a dog trespassing in their safe space, especially if they’ve been there long before. The hissing, swatting, or running away can trigger your Husky’s prey drive and cause them to attack it.
To help your pets grow into the best of friends, make sure they have their own safe space, get enough stimulation, are well-fed, and are treated with equal love and patience during training. After all, pets can also be very jealous!
Further reading: Are huskies good family dogs?
Do Huskies Kill Cats?
Huskies, like any other dog breed, have the potential to exhibit predatory behavior towards smaller animals, including cats. However, it is important to note that not all huskies will display this behavior, and many can coexist peacefully with cats and other pets.
The likelihood of a husky killing a cat or any other small animal can depend on various factors, including the individual dog’s temperament, training, socialization, and the specific circumstances of the interaction. Some huskies may have a strong prey drive due to their history as sled dogs, and they may instinctively chase and potentially harm smaller animals. However, proper training and socialization from an early age can help minimize the risk of such incidents.
If you have a husky and are considering introducing it to a cat or any other small pet, it’s crucial to supervise their interactions initially and gradually acclimate them to each other under controlled circumstances. It’s also recommended to consult with a professional dog trainer or behaviorist who can provide guidance tailored to your specific situation.
Final Thoughts about Cats and Huskies
Huskies and cats can be good with each other, but it depends on the Husky and its background. Of course, making sure your pets get along takes effort and consistency. socializing them young, training consistently, supervising their play, and giving them mental and physical exercise is a surefire way to ensure that they become best friends.
Do you have a Husky and a cat? Share your experience in the comment section below.
FAQ
Do huskies like cats?
It depends on the individual husky, but some huskies do like cats and can live with them peacefully.
Can I get a husky if I already have a cat?
Yes, you can get a husky if you already have a cat, but it’s important to introduce them properly and supervise their interactions.
How can I introduce my husky puppy to my cat?
You should introduce your husky puppy to your cat slowly and on a leash. Reward your husky for calm behavior and allow your cat to approach your puppy on their own terms.
Will my adult husky get along with my cat?
It depends on the temperament of your individual husky, but adult huskies can learn to live with cats peacefully if trained properly.
Can a husky and a cat get along like other dogs and cats?
Yes, a husky and a cat can get along like other dogs and cats, but it’s important to supervise their interactions and make sure your husky doesn’t have a high prey drive toward your cat.
How can I get my husky to get along with my cat?
You can get your husky to get along with your cat by introducing them slowly and positively, rewarding your husky for calm behavior around your cat, and teaching them to ignore the cat.
Can my cat live with a husky?
Yes, your cat can live with a husky, but it’s still a good idea to supervise their interactions and make sure your husky doesn’t show any signs of aggression toward your cat.
Will my husky chase my cat?
It’s possible that your husky may chase your cat, especially if they have a high prey drive. However, with proper training and supervision, you can teach your husky to get along with your cat.
Is it safe to leave a husky alone with a small animal like a cat?
It’s not recommended to leave a husky alone with a small animal like a cat, because of their natural instinct to chase and kill small prey animals.
How can I train my husky to get along with my cat?
You can train your husky to get along with your cat by rewarding calm behavior around the cat, ignoring the cat, and teaching your husky to be part of the pack with both you and your cat.
