Dog that gets along with cats...?

Question

I was wondering if anyone had suggestions as to what type of dog I could get. I want a small dog and one that can get along easily with my 3 cats.

Answer 1

My cats actually own my 4 Shih Tzus. They all get along great. On any given day, you will see the dogs running down the hall chasing the cat, and then not two minutes later, the cat will come down the hall chasing the dogs!

When Poochie had her puppies, the cat regularly went into the crate to check on them and clean them with their mother! And she let him!!! (I wish I had pictures!)

Answer 2

Dogs like terriers or rat hounds (and other breeds of hunting dogs -- yep, even small dogs were bred to hunt in the "olden days" and these breeds are still around) are dogs bred to hunt small animals -- they IMHO would not be the best to have around a cat.

Then again, it IS on a dog by dog basis-- and you are right to think of Small dogs-- the larger ones can easily kill a cat in a heartbeat.

However, the breed of the dog DOES determine some of the dog's behavior, (even in a mixed breed -- check out what breed the parents were or could possibly have been) so I would either check with the shelter for Advice -- AND stop by the local dog obedience school and see if they can give you an answer or some helpful hints.

Once you decide what dog to get, then get some good tips on how to introduce your cats to your new dog. And expect SOME behavior changes in your cats until they and the dog get adjusted to one another. I've had a few Hair-Tearing-Out moments when introducing my cats to one another in the past, but eventually (sometimes months) things settled down to a new and different plateau..

Best wishes.

Answer 3

Long answer short- A dog that has been socialized with cats. Whether it be a puppy that you get or a shelter dog that has grown up with cats in a past, or an adult shelter dog that has previously lived with cats or lives with cats in a foster home. If you go to a shelter they will be able to direct you to cat friendly dogs. Usually they have you bring your animals in for a supervised introduction just to make sure everything goes well and everybody gets along fine before you take the dog home.

Answer 4

If you get a puppy the biggest concern will probably be will the cats leave it alone, my daughter just brought a pit bull puppy home for a while and we have to protect it from the cats or they will cut him to shreds, we also own a chow that they all ban together against, cats are moody creatures but I guess all is well as long as they dont fight to hurt each other badly, I would get a little dog so the cats dont feel intimidated or scared, a scared cat can be a very bad thing.

Answer 5

Any dog CAN get along with cats

Answer 6

well i had that to.this breed is not a small dog not a big dog but some where in the middle. English Bulldogs are great they loving caring cute and get along with cats. I have a indoor and outdoor cat and I have a English Bulldog and they dont fight some times my cat fight with my dog but only when she in a bad mood but there never any hurt or harm hope you pick the right dog.

Answer 7

Well, I can tell you that we have 3 rescued Rat Terriers & they get along marvelously with our 2 kitties (also rescues). The cats beg for the dog treats, the dogs prefer the cat toys & they all chase each other & play all day long. They even sleep together. I don't have too much experience with other dog breeds but I can tell you that this one is great with cats. Good luck!

Answer 8

I think what you should do is find a pound puppy. Many have been tested with cats.

Even if you want a certain breed, breed rescues often check their dogs out with cats, and if the dog you adopt doesn't get along with cats, some will let you "exchange" the dog.

I have a bichon frise, doxie and doxie cross, but I have taught them to leave cats alone.

Answer 9

Adopt from a rescue centre! A young adult or older dog. You find purebred and mixed breed at a rescue shelter. Rescue dogs are alot cheaper than breeders and pet store dogs and also look at the shelter, not just what is available online, because there is only a small section of dogs available online! many more available in the shelter. It is NONSENSE that a rescue shelter is expensive. we get my two young adult rescue cats $85 australian dollars each, a 2yr old& 18month old! The puppies are dearer to cover the cost of the desexing and worming, yet rescue puppies are still cheaper than pet store and breeders.

Adult rescue dogs will say whether they get along well with other cats, whether they don't get along with cats, they'll say whether they get along with children, whether they get along well with older children

Answer 10

Almost any dog can get along with cats. You could either adopt an adult dog who is known to be good with cats (my recommendation) or you could get a puppy, and raise him around your cats. If he grows up around them, he'll be used to them. But if he's a puppy, he might try to play with them, and if they don't like that, he probably won't take the hint and will annoy them to death. Look on petfinder.com for a puppy or dog- a lot of times the dog's description will say if he's good with cats.