Cats and Akitas?

Question

I hear conflicting experiences regarding cats and Akitas. Some people say they live together fine, others say the kitties make nice meals. My friend's Akita had puppies and she saved the sweetest one for me (by her standards, that's pretty freaking sweet). Problem is, my husband and I adore our two cats almost like kids and don't want them to be eaten like prey because of "instincts". My friend is a very positive and strong-willed sweet heart and seems to have dogs that are the same, I just don't know if the breed itself is the type that snaps without warning regardless their upbringing? I had a siberian husky and cats earlier in life and they had some hilarious wrestling/dive bombing matches. there were no real fights. The mix dog I grew up with barely acknowledges cats and is also peaceful. I don't know about Akitas though. I appreciate a complicated dog.... but anyone with cats and Akitas want to weigh in?

Answer 1

Hey there!

Our family dog is an Akita named Lobo. After growing up with Akita's and cats, I can tell you that you don't have alot to worry about. My akita's throw that 'akita's can be aggressive' stuff out the window!!!
First thing, Akita's are big (sometimes an understatment lol) so they can hold their own against puppies. My 2 kitties are also like kids to me and my fiance. Here's what we did:
1. Rub a shirt all over the akita pup, make sure it get covered in his smell (before pup comes home)
2. As weird as it may seem, wear that shirt so your 'smell' mixes with the pups
3. Cuddle with your kitties!! Let them associate the doggy smell with good things like treats and scratches.
4. when you bring pup home, keep him in his crate and let your cats come over. This is NOT a quick process!
5. Your kitties need to know they have a safe area they can get to that the pup CANNOT get to. Get baby gates and put them up only high enough for your kitties to get under. Dont let pup on the couch, the bed, the lazyboy. Those belong to kitty. (pup can go there once he's old enough, and treats the cats with respect)
6. Keep a leash on your akita pup, so if he tries to chase the cats, you can immediately give him a sharp tug or step on the leash..he needs to know YOU are boss, you respect the cats and he better as well!
7.Google 'being a pack leader', you'll learn alot. Think of it this way for your household order:
YOU and HUBBY
Cats
Pup
Its not cruel! But you have to remember your pup will be getting HUGE so he needs to treat the cats with respect.
Also, please please keep your kitties nails trimmed, so they don't scratch your pups eyes in the first few days. But trust me, a good swatting once by your cat is a great way to get pup to understand not to mess with them

Hope this helps!

Ps. Akita's are AMAZING dogs, lifelong companions who will love you to pieces, I promise!

Answer 2

I would not try it unless you are prepared to spend a LOT of time training the new puppy and/or prepared to get rid of an animal if they don't get along. Akitas are very dominant and protective dogs with a definite personality and a strong sense of territory. They do not share their owners very well--for example, they will growl when a spouse/family member hugs you. It depends on the personalities of your cats, too. If they are territorial or even a little aggressive it will probably not work out. P.S. Koatis Sapphire gave a lot of good advice, especially on looking up pack leaders, but keep in mind that Akitas will challenge for dominance. It's very hard to keep them at the bottom of the pack. Also, unaggressive Akitas are the exception, not the norm.

Answer 3

If your Akita is a puppy and you raise it around the cats they should do OK. My dog is half Akita and half black lab and the cats, for some reason really like her. She gets along with them, but acts like she doesn't know what they are. She is a little aggressive with our other dog, which is a half husky and half Golden retriever.

I would definitely expose the dog to the cats and monitor them. Once you can tell what the dogs personality is going to be like then determine if they can co-habitat.

Answer 4

Akita have been bred for canines struggling with and searching so might greater then in all danger consume a cat. solid acquaintances had a nicely knowledgeable nicely bred multi titled woman who after residing with a n/m mixture for quite a few years killed and tore him to products collectively as they have been long previous..the jap initially bred them for looking undergo, so as that they have got a solid looking instinct. it extremely is yet one greater reason they ought to by no potential be off leash in an unsecured section, as they're going to bypass off looking on their own. Their regal demeanor stems from a dominant attitude. In different phrases, they experience the must be the boss of alternative canines. they might get alongside nicely with canines of the choice intercourse that admire them; in spite of the undeniable fact that they gained't tolerate a undertaking from yet another canines. even with their length, they might do nicely in a smaller section, as long as they're given daily workout. yet with each and each canines it extremely is distinctive and a mixed breed is a crap shoot, does it take after the GSD or the Akita, canines are no longer a 50/50 mixture they're ninety/10, 60/40 etc. it must be effective or it must be no longer and it ought to no longer additionally be a GSD/Akita mixture it ok must be a GSD/Chow or who is familiar with what. mixed breeds are an danger on account which you may not be particular of their background or instincts.

Answer 5

A.kitas do not snap ..they bite