For many years we have said that cats and dogs are mortal enemies. This is because dogs see cats as potential prey in the wild, and cats see dogs as predators. But is it possible for your cavapoochon to get along with your cat?Cavapoochons get along great with cats and dogs alike. The cavapoochons parents are not hunters, which makes them not have a prey drive. Furthermore, their poodle half makes them attention seekers, and they can get jealous very easily. With that said, if you have other pets in addition to your cavapoochon, if you give equal attention to your cavapoochon and your cat, they will get along very well.However, this is a blanket statement and does not cover the individual temperaments and personalities of your cavapoochons. For example, some cavapoochons will live alongside your cat throughout their entire lives without any issues; another cavapoochon may not be able to resist the urge to chase and compete with your cat.As you continue to read this article, we will give you an in-depth guide on introducing your cavapoochon to your cat. This will help give you the best odds of having them form a meaningful relationship and become great friends. Furthermore, we will also give you a list of other dog breeds that are great with cats and a list of breeds that are not good with cats.
Can Cavapoochons Live Peacefully With Cats?
© Caveman
Cavapoochons make for amazing family pets. They live long lives and have few health issues. Cavapoochons also make fantastic pets for families who already have cats and other pets or those who plan to own more in the future.As long as your cavapoochon meets your cats while they are still a puppy, they will learn to interact with them peacefully. If you have an older cavapoochon and plan on adopting a cat, introduce them carefully and give them plenty of attention at the same time.After all, which one is brought into the home initially has a lot to do with how your dog and cat get along. If your household already owns a cat, your dog will need to learn to respect the cat from when they enter the cat’s realm. Cats are more likely to get up and go if they feel threatened since they are less concerned about their space and are extremely independent. Whereas, if you have a Cavapoochon first, they might try to intimidate your cat as a way of being territorial.Training and socialization may make a tremendous impact regardless of who arrived first. Especially since Cavapoochons get along with practically any other animal. They are a highly clever and easy-to-train kind of dog that likes being around everyone, whether human or animal. Cats can also provide excellent company to your Cavapoochon when you are not home, and this will help ease separation anxiety.
Do Cavapoochons Like To Chase Cats?
The Cavapoochon comprises three breeds of dogs; Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bichon Frise, and the Poodle. All are known for being cat-friendly breeds. They are all easy-going and have playful natures, which make them excellent friends for cats, especially in the early years. Furthermore, all of the breeds that are used to produce the Cavapoochon are small breeds, even the Poodle. This makes the Cavapoochon a small breed that will be less likely to scare the cat due to their size differences. Cavapoochons also have a low prey drive and are much more likely to chase smaller animals like birds, squirrels, mice, and rats instead, which can make for a shared activity for both your cat and Cavapoochon.However, if a Cavapoochon chases a cat, it is normal for the sake of playing. Cavapoochon pups adore nothing more than pouncing on one another while they’re young, so your dog may mistake your cat for another playmate or toy. Your cat, on the other hand, may perceive your Cavapoochon as a threat and flee. This movement may trigger your dog’s inherent drive to chase.It’s critical to put a stop to your Cavapoochon if you see them chasing cats. If you have young children, encourage them to play with your puppy instead, and make sure there are lots of toys available for your Cavapoochon to enjoy. After all, a dog who receives tons of physical and mental activity is less likely to be troubled by a cat.
How To Properly Introduce Your Cavapoochon To Your Cat
© Warren Photographic
When you own a cat and plan on getting a Cavapoochon, it is important that you introduce them slowly. Over a period of time, they will become acquainted and learn to live together in your home peacefully. Hopefully, they will become friends and sleep or even play together. Below we will give you a list of things you should do when introducing your cavapoochon to your cat.
- Introduce Them In A Neutral Environment
Even if your Cavapoochon has previously lived with a cat, don’t assume it will get along with another. The age, temperament, and level of activity of both creatures at the moment will all play a role. It is crucial to introduce the animals outside of the house in order to test the waters. The existing dog or cat in the house will not welcome the new animal. Therefore they must meet on neutral ground.This could be either a quick or a tedious process. Start by bringing your Cavapoochon outside on a loose leash and keep them close to you. Ensure that your cat and your dog can see each other but keep them a reasonable distance apart. Keep an eye out for changes in the body language of your cat and dog. You want to see a relaxed cat that isn’t arching its back, pinning its ears back, or hissing at your dog. The swishing of the tail is another indicator that your cat is unhappy with the scenario. A cat rarely poses a threat to a dog, although some cats may go on the attack when they encounter one.Similarly, you want your dog to appear calm in the presence of the cat. You want your Cavapoochon to be intrigued by the cat but not preoccupied with it. If your dog tries to stare your cat out, exhibits stiff body language, barks or whines, or is too preoccupied to obey your commands, then you should give them additional time before allowing them to share space.If you see any of these signs, you will need to console whichever one shows this change in body language. It is preferred that you have help when doing this and show both your Cavapoochon and your cat attention to calm them down simultaneously. Keep them in their neutral space together for about 30 minutes, bringing them closer if they feel comfortable. If their body language does not change, keep them separated in your home and repeat the process the next day.
- Create A Barrier To Help Desensitize Them
A fantastic way to introduce your cat and dog to each other is to keep them in separate rooms while also allowing them to see one another. If your Cavapoochon is crate trained, then this can be an excellent help. Placing your Cavapoochon in their crate and allowing your cat to investigate naturally will be very helpful. Furthermore, you can place them both in their crate and place them so they can both see one another easily, but don’t put the crates right next to each other. You can also do some scent swapping. To do this, you will need to spend time with each of your pets while they are alone. After about 10 minutes, go and spend time with your other pet without washing your hands. This will make you smell like the pet you were spending time with first. By doing the scent swapping method, you can help expedite the introduction process.
- Supervise Their Time Together For The First Month Or Two
When the moment comes for you to remove the barrier between your two creatures, we strongly suggest you do so while keeping a close eye on the situation. Ideally, your Cavapoochon should be relaxed, have had lots of playtimes, and be exhausted. This will help ensure that your Cavapoochon does not have the energy to chase your cat if they feel the need to.You should also provide a safe haven for your cat in case it has to flee. It’s possible that this is somewhere out of reach for your Cavapoochon. Finally, don’t be worried if your cat exhibits defensive behavior toward your Cavapoochon, such as swiping and hissing when your dog approaches too closely. This is a very common occurrence.
- Give Praise To Both Your Cat And Cavapoochon For Showing Good Behavior
Make sure you have some nice goodies on hand to encourage both pets to be quiet and relaxed when they’re together. Cavapoochons are people pleasers, so they will want to keep doing it if they receive positive reinforcement for their behavior. When it comes to dogs, food can be an excellent distraction, especially if they become overly excited or start barking in the presence of a terrified cat.Most cats will take their time assessing situations before deciding how to react. As a result, you must offer them the time and space they need to do so, as well as a reward for their bravery if they wish to go deeper. As things improve, you can let the cat and dog mingle more freely, but until you’re sure they’ve become close friends, put your dog on a ‘houseline’ or leash to prevent chasing.
- Be Sure To Give Them Individual Attention
Our dogs, like children, find it difficult to watch other pets compete for our attention. Cats are more autonomous and less prone to create significant ties with their owners, whereas dogs are extremely loyal and form great bonds with their families.If you’re adding a new pet to your home, make sure your Cavapoo receives lots of cuddles and reassurances. Similarly, introducing a dog into a cat’s existing home would never be perfect, and your feline buddy may feel threatened. So make sure they get plenty of additional strokes and one-on-one time with you.
What Are Some Other Dog Breeds That Are Good With Cats
© Szilvia Pap-KutasiSome dog breeds are known to get along well with cats and even enjoy their companionship. Because these sociable canines have low to moderate energy levels, they frequently become friends with cats because they do not shock or stress them with spurts of activity. On the other hand, people-pleasers and easy-to-train dogs get along best with cats because they can be trained to cohabit peacefully.The breeds that are best known to get along with cats are:
- Basset Hound
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Maltese
- Pomeranian
- Pug
- Bichon Frise
- Golden Retriever
- Newfoundland
- Poodle
- Beagle
What Are Some Dog Breeds That Do Not Get Along Well With Cats
If you have both a cat and a dog, you should go over this list before bringing them into your house. Due to their hunting mentality, excessive activity, or timid disposition, the following dog breeds are the worst for cats.
- Border Collie
- Greyhound
- Samoyed
- Most Terrier Breeds
- Whippet
- Alaskan Malamute
- Bullmastiff
- Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Siberian Husky
- Weimaraner
Final Thoughts
Cavapoochons are fantastic family pets. They combine all of the best qualities of their parent breeds and make for fantastic companions for your other pets, including cats. If you follow our introducing guide, your Cavapoochon and your cat will get along peacefully and might even become close friends.