Cavoodles are a mix between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle. Both of these dog breeds are known to be friendly with cats. In addition, both the Cavalier and the Poodle are playful and easy-going, making them a perfect companion for a cat. Both of the breeds used to make the Cavoodle are small. While there are many different Poodle sizes, toy or miniature Poodles are used for breeding Cavoodles. This makes Cavoodles less likely to scare off your cat due to their size alone. As previously said, both of the Cavoodle’s parent breeds are not hunting dogs, which gives the Cavoodle a low hunting drive. While your Cavoodle might chase your cat around and be playful (especially if they were introduced to each other at a young age), they are more likely to chase around squirrels, birds, mice, and other small animals. In addition, cavoodle puppies are known to pounce and chase one another while they are young, so your Cavoodle might see your cat as another playmate. On the other hand, your cat might see this playful nature as a threat and will flee or defend itself. If your Cavoodle and cat were not introduced as puppy and kitten, you should stop your Cavoodle from chasing your cat as soon as possible. This will prevent your cat from seeing your Cavoodle as a potential threat. Furthermore, if you have children, you should encourage them to play with your Cavoodle. Please make sure there are plenty of toys for your Cavoodle to play with, as they will help distract them from your cat. After all, any dog with plenty of mental and physical stimulation will be less likely to bother the cat.

How To Properly Introduce Your Cavoodle To Your Cat

© Tiny WoofsThere are a few different situations in which you would introduce your Cavoodle to your cat. The easiest way to ensure there will be no trouble between the two is to adopt them at the same time or within a few days apart. Introducing your cat and Cavoodle as kitten and puppy will give them the best chances of being friends. While the first few days or weeks might be hard, eventually, your kitten will see your Cavoodle puppy as a friend and playmate rather than a threat. If you own a cat for a few years before you get a Cavoodle, you must take caution and introduce them slowly. Over time they will learn to live together in the same home peacefully. In the best case, your Cavoodle and cat will become close friends and might sleep or even play together. In the worst case, your cat will dislike your Cavoodle and avoid them entirely or slightly bully them into getting your Cavoodle out of their immediate area.Below will be a list of tasks you should use when introducing your Cavoodle and cat.

• Use A Neutral Environment To Your Advantage

If your Cavoodle has previously lived with a cat, this does not mean that they will get along with every cat. There are plenty of factors that will need to be considered, like temperament, age, and personality. You must introduce your Cavoodle to your cat in a neutral environment, like outside in your backyard. This way, neither of your pets have a genuine claim to this area, allowing you to test their compatibility. Introducing the two can either be tedious and lengthy or quick and easy. Having another person help you during this process will be a great help. Start by bringing your Cavoodle out on a short leash and keep them close by your side. Next, have the other person carry your cat outside and kneel next to them on the ground. Please make sure both your Cavoodle and cat can see each other, but don’t bring them too close. Keep an eye out for changes in their body language.When watching your cat’s body language, you do not want to see an arched back, folded ears, or hissing. Tail swishing is another sign that your cat is uncomfortable or threatened. When watching your dog’s body language, you want to make sure your dog is calm when in the presence of your cat. Make sure your Cavoodle is aware and intrigued by your cat but is not preoccupied or fixated. If your dog constantly stares at your cat, barks, whines, or shows a stiff body language, you will need to give them more time in this neutral environment before letting them get closer.If you see any of these changes in your pets’ body language, you will need to console whichever is uncomfortable. It is preferred that both of the animals be shown affection at the same time to calm them down. Once they are calm, give them both a treat and move them a few feet closer. Repeat the process until they are comfortable enough to be next to each other. When doing this neutral environment training, please keep them in this area for 30 minutes to an hour. If their body language does not change during this time, bring them inside and keep them separated and try the next day again.

• Have A Barrier In Between Them To Help Desensitize

Another excellent way to introduce your Cavoodle and cat together is to keep them in separate rooms while still allowing them to see each other. The best way to do this is if your Cavoodle is crate trained. Placing your Cavoodle into their crate will allow them to feel safe and secure while also allowing your cat to walk around your dog’s crate and investigate them. Furthermore, if both of your animals are crate trained, then you can place both of them in their respective “rooms” and keep them a few feet apart. Scent swapping is another way to introduce them through this method. To do scent swapping, you will need to spend some time with each of your pets alone. Then, after about ten or so minutes, go and spend some time with the other. Doing this will make you smell like the other pet, which is a way to show both pets that you are safe with the other, giving them both a way to know that they can be safe with each other.

• Be Sure To Supervise Your Pets Time Together for The First Few Months

When it comes to letting your Cavoodle and your cat interact with each other without assistance, it is strongly recommended that this interaction be supervised. You should spend a good amount of time beforehand playing with your Cavoodle. This playtime will make your Cavoodle more relaxed and exhausted. Doing this will ensure that your Cavoodle does not have the energy to chase, play, or get too excited when they finally get to be within touching distance of your cat. There should also be a safe area where you can bring your cat in the off chance that your Cavoodle startles or still has the energy to chase them. Furthermore, do not be alarmed if your cat hisses or swipes at your Cavoodle if they get too close. This is very common and will show your Cavoodle how close is too close. The swiping and hissing can also dissipate over time.

• Give Praise To Both Of Your Pets When They show Good Behavior.

When your pets are allowed to get close to each other, make sure you have plenty of treats on hand. If they are friendly and are not showing aggressive or defensive body language, pet them and give them treats. For example, cavoodles are very smart and enjoy pleasing their humans, so they will catch on quickly so they can get more treats. On the other hand, Cats tend to be more stubborn and take longer to learn why they are getting praise.Most cats tend to take their time assessing a situation before they decide how to act. Because of this, you will need to give your cat plenty of time and space in order to do so, as well as a treat if they decide to be friendly and investigate peacefully. Over time, you will leave the cat and dog alone, allowing them to interact with each other more freely. However, until you are completely sure that they can interact peacefully or have become friends, you will need to monitor their time together.

Final Thoughts

Cavoodles are excellent pets and are known to get along perfectly well with cats and other dogs. While there are individual cases where a Cavoodle refuses to get along with a cat, these are sporadic. Furthermore, in most situations, your cat will avoid your Cavoodle and prefer to be alone. However, you can assure that your pets will either become friends or at least learn to live together peacefully with this guide.