Boston Terriers are popular dogs because they are lively, intelligent, and affectionate. These small dogs make wonderful family members and form lasting bonds with human and animal family members.
Housing a Boston Terrier and a cat together should not pose any immediate problems.
Boston Terriers are good with cats and will not chase or attack cats. Gradual introductions between the dog and cat are key to a successful bond.
Proper training and socialization are essential to forming a positive relationship between a Boston Terrier and a cat.
It can help to introduce cats and dogs when they are young, so the pets can grow up together.
Although the Boston Terrier is a friendly dog breed that is usually great with cats, every animal has an individual personality and temperament.
Not every dog will like every cat and vice versa. Positive, supervised playtime and gradual introductions will help facilitate an easier bond between the two animals.
It can help to allow each animal to smell the other before a face-to-face meeting. Supervised playtime and interaction are essential to keep your cat and dog safe.
Can I Train a Puppy to Be Kind to My Cat?
The best way to ensure your Boston Terrier will be good with cats is to start training early. Training a puppy is the best time to teach it the appropriate way to act with cats.
When puppies and cats grow up together, they usually form a bond with one another.
The key to introducing a puppy to a cat is starting gradually and not forcing any interaction. It is best to carry one animal near the other and allow each animal to get the appropriate scents.
Next, let your puppy and cat play together on the floor. As each animal becomes more comfortable, gradually step further away and reduce supervision.
Eventually, your Boston Terrier and cat will become good friends with enough positive encounters.
Can An Older Boston Terrier Learn To Behave with Cats?
If you already have an existing dog, it may be more difficult to properly train your Boston Terrier to accept a new feline family member.
But, with enough training and positive reinforcement, it is perfectly possible to have an adult Boston Terrier learn to get along with a cat or kitten.
Just as you would gradually introduce a puppy to a cat, start introducing your adult Boston Terrier slowly.
It can help to keep your dog crated while letting the new cat explore the area. Give your cat and dog plenty of time to smell and see each other before forcing an interaction.
Use supervision when the dog and cat are first allowed to play together and continue to monitor the situation as the two animals become more comfortable together.
Eventually, your adult dog and cat will learn to get along with one another.
How Do I Introduce a Kitten to My Family?
Bringing a new kitten into the family is an exciting experience and will add plenty of love and affection.
If you already have other pets in your home, it is important to introduce your new kitten slowly and carefully. To introduce a new kitten into your existing animal family, you should:
Step 1: Scents
Animals rely heavily on scents to identify one another. You’ll want your existing cats and dogs to be comfortable with the new kitten’s scent.
Try to give each pet a toy or blanket with the new kitten’s scent. Your animals will become accustomed to a new smell and animal in the house.
Remember to replace the toy or blanket daily because the scent will fade after about 24 hours.
Step 2: Sight
Next, you’ll want the animals to see each other through a protective barrier like a glass window or door.
The glass will help keep the animals safe while still giving each animal a chance to inspect one other visually.
Some animals can be skittish and shy, so it is important never to force an interaction between animals.
Step 3: Barriers
Once your pets are comfortable seeing and smelling one another, it is time to use barriers to introduce your new kitten.
Using baby gates is the best way to provide a sound and protective barrier while allowing the animals to interact.
Step 4: Face to Face
Next, once your pets are comfortable with one another, it is time to start a face-to-face meeting. Keep the animals in a room together with plenty of space to hide and escape if one animal feels uncomfortable.
Allow the animals to approach one another independently and never force an interaction. Be sure to look out for any negative body language from your kitten or dog during this process.
Step 5: Supervised Play
Gradually work up to supervised play sessions between animals. You’ll want to keep a close eye on your new kitten and dog to ensure play stays safe and positive.
Over time, you’ll be able to increase the amount of time your animals spend together and decrease the amount of supervision required.
What Are Signs My Cat and Dog Aren’t Getting Along?
When supervising your cat and dog, it is essential to watch for warning signs that indicate one animal is uncomfortable. Some key warning signs can include:
- Tense Body Language – Keep an eye on both your cat and dog to ensure there isn’t any negative body language. If your dog is stiff and nervous, or your cat is crouched, and on guard, it could signify that an animal is uncomfortable with the encounter.
- Chasing – A dog showing aggressive signs toward the cat may try to chase, pick up, or pin the cat. Remain calm and proceed slowly to break up a potentially dangerous situation. It is important not to become stressed or anxious, which could only further escalate the situation.
- Growling – Look for negative body language from your dog, which could include obsessive barking, growling, or lunging from your dog. Your cat may also hiss or growl at the dog to indicate unhappiness.
- Swats – Your cat may attempt to swat at the dog if unhappy. A swat can communicate between the cat and dog, alerting the dog that the cat is uncomfortable. Closely monitor the situation and intervene if the dog becomes aggressive.
Observing your animals’ behavior closely during interactions is important to intervene if the encounter potentially becomes dangerous.
Remember to never force an animal into an interaction where it is uncomfortable. Sometimes cats are just not fond of dogs, and some dogs will not like to be in the company of a cat.
How Can I Help My Pets Get Along?
While Boston Terriers will generally be good with cats, it can take plenty of hard work and training to create a lasting bonded relationship between the two.
You can take a few steps to help your pets get along better. You can try to:
- Own Space – Try giving your cat its own safe area before meeting your dog. The space will help your cat feel more comfortable and give it a place to go when it needs a break from the dog.
- Exercise – Dogs with lots of energy can be overwhelming for a cat or kitten. Be sure to fully exercise your dog physically and mentally before interacting with a new cat.
- Separation – To give each pet a boost of confidence, try to keep their food and water separate. Not only will keeping the food separate help prevent one animal from poaching the other’s dinner, but it will give your pet security and safety, knowing they can eat in peace.
- Scents – Cats and dogs rely on their sense of smell, so it is essential to allow scents to permeate rooms the animals will share. Sometimes a simple blanket or toy will help keep your pets acquainted with one another. Scents serve as a constant reminder that multiple four-legged family members are sharing a house.
Related Questions
What dogs are good with cats?
Cats and dogs can form lasting relationships, but it is essential to find a breed of dog that typically enjoys the company of a cat.
Usually, Basset Hounds, Bulldogs, Beagles, Collies, Golden Retrievers, and Labrador Retrievers will do well with cats.
It is important to remember that each dog will have its own personality and a relationship with a cat should never be forced.
Do certain cat breeds like dogs more?
Likewise, some cat breeds tend to do better with dogs than others. Try to look for bigger cats that can hold their own physically with dogs.
You’ll also want to find more curious and playful cats that will generally tolerate a dog’s antics.
Cats like Main Coons, Japanese Bobtail cats, and American Shorthairs tend to have the right size and temperament combination to live peacefully with dogs.
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