Will a Boston Terrier Be Good With a Cat? Introduction Tips & Tricks

If you’re considering adding a canine to your household but already have a cat, you need to find a breed that’s able to get along with felines. If you don’t, you could find yourself with a cat being constantly chased and the two animals fighting like, well, cats and dogs. Plenty of dog breeds are available that get along perfectly fine with kitties, though, so you have options.

One canine that can be good with cats is the Boston Terrier. The best-case scenario would be to raise the two animals together from a young age, but even introducing one of these canines into a home, later on, should be fine (though you’ll have a bit more work on your hands). Here’s what you should know about Boston Terriers and how well they get on with felines, so you can figure out if this pup is right for you!

Are Boston Terriers Good With Cats?

Because this breed is a terrier, it’s not unheard of for them to have high prey drives. And that can lead them to chase after animals smaller than them, including felines. But if you raise your dog and cat together from the time they’re young, you have a much higher chance of this not occurring because the two animals will be used to each other.

However, this doesn’t mean you can’t introduce a Boston Terrier and a cat later in life. It just means you’ll need to introduce the two slowly and carefully, so it might take a bit of time. A careful introduction between the two animals will help them build trust in each other, which will lead to fewer instances of chasing (unless it’s the fun kind of chasing each other around the home!).

But how do you safely introduce a dog and cat?

How to Introduce a Boston Terrier to a Feline

As previously mentioned, the key to introducing a dog and cat is patience. You’ll want to move slowly and in increments. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do this.

If even after trying everything you still won't be able to get your Boston Terrier and cat get along, we suggest booking a consult with an online vet service to give you advice without the stress of having to visit an in-person clinic.

Conclusion

While a Boston Terrier might not instinctively be good with a cat due to its prey drive, it doesn’t mean it won’t get along with a feline. If your Boston Terrier and cat have grown up together, they should be more than fine at getting along. However, if you bring in the dog or cat later on, you will need to be prepared to do a little work and have significant patience. You can slowly introduce the two, and over time, your Boston Terrier should get the idea that the kitty isn’t something to chase but rather a friend!

Featured Image Credit: Nailia Schwarz, Shutterstock