if i put a german shepherd and a domestic cat together will the german shepherd attack the cat?

Answer 1

It depends on how your dog was raised. German Shepherds are bred to have a high prey drive. This means they chase, catch and kill small, quick animals. There are ways to properly introduce a dog to a cat. But even then you would not want to leave them together unsupervised until you are absolutely sure they will get along. Both of my shepherds have been raised with cats since they were puppies, and I still wouldn't trust them outside unsupervised with the cats.

Answer 2

Like the others have said it depends on the dog but it is my understanding that German Shepherds do have an instinct to harm smaller animals... if it's a strong instinct I don't know... best thing is raising a pup with cats around.

If you really have to try to see if the dog will attack the cat... do it with the cat's safety in mind please.

Introduce the dog with a leash on it and the cat in a sturdy cat carrier or cage... just so they can smell each other.
From that interaction you may have a better idea what will happen... If it isn't a violent introduction then loosen the leash and see what will happen... but I wouldn't let the cat out around the dog for a while and then I'd do it if the cat has a safe place to run and hide from the dog.. in case things got bad.

Good luck!

Answer 3

it depends on the dog and the cat. If the dog was raised around cats and does not have a strong prey drive (unlikely with a breed such as a Shepherd), and if the cat was raised with dogs and knows how to act around them (ie, not running away, standing ground, but also knowing how to read body language), they could be fine. If they were not raised together, I would use caution when introducing them. You have to carefully introduce them so that the dog is controlled and the cat is in charge of the meeting. Usually crating the dog and allowing the cat to move around him, or crating the cat and keeping the dog on leash and under control will help facilitate that. Do not praise the dog for any thing other than calm, submissive, relaxed behavior around the cat, that means no petting him to try to calm him down. All that does is praise him for the behavior you don't want. Best of luck with the two of them.

Answer 4

Not necessarily. If you introduce the cat to the dog as a kitten or if you put it in a carrier (where the dog cant eat it if it wants to) and let them sniff each other for a while they could get along. Also it depends on the Shepherds attitude. If it is very aggressive towards other animals I wouldnt try it. Also if you are the alpha dog in the pack (which you should be) if you scold or get on to the Shepherd everytime it acts aggressive it will (hopefully) learn that they cat is not to be messed with. My German Shepherd raised our cats as her puppies and is very protective of them but other strays she will chase off. I think if the dog knows that this cat is going to be part of the pack they will be ok with it. Good luck

Answer 5

I have a White German Shepherd and a Calico. I have had MiMi, my cat for one year longer than my German Shepherd. Of course, they don't get along, but he doesn't attack her, and she doesn't attack him. He tries to play with her and she avoids him, only batting when necessary. Every animal is different, there's no way to tell what they'll do. My German Shepherd carries around my hamsters in his mouth, and spits them back out in the cage when he doesn't want to carry them anymore. A gentle giant...

Answer 6

depends on the dog. And depends on the cat. Dogs don't necessarily hate all cats. What usually happens is the cat runs from the dog, and it's this action that causes the dog to think it has to "chase it's prey." If the cat just stands there and doesn't run away, odds are the dog will just leave it alone. Unless the dog already hates cats. Your question has too many unknown answers.

Answer 7

Any dog has the capability to attack a cat...being a german shepherd has nothing to do with it.

Answer 8

no you will find the your german shepherd will want to play all the time with it..i have owned 7 myself and have always had a cat...the cat will probably bully your dog ..but they wont fight..your dog will try lifting the cat in its mouth dont panic this is what german shepherds do.

Answer 9

A way you could do this, in an easy way without throwing them in together all at once. Gradually, let them get to know one another. Let them out with one another for like 15 minutes at first and gradually increase the time with you monitoring them. If there is any aggression tell the dog no firmly and swat its butt. As they get used to one another leave them alone with each other for a bit without you around, and check on them from time to time to make sure they are getting along. This is one way to introduce them to one another.

It's possible that the dog may not like the cat, but eventually it should get used to it. Not all dogs mind cats. I used to own a german shepherd and she didn't care about what type of animals were around her. Just gradually let them get to know one another. That should tell you if they like each other or not.

Answer 10

My mother had a cat that attacked a German Shepard and it turned tail and ran howling all the way home. One of my cats attacked the neighbors Great Dane when he came over looking for a treat. She landed on his head and dug in with all four feet, needless to say that Great Dane never showed up on our doorstep again.