Will a Dachshund Get Along with a Cat? How to Introduce Them (Vet-Reviewed)

The typical Dachshund is a funny, friendly dog that gets along with almost everyone, including other dogs, as long as they have been properly socialised and introduced. Of course, the lovable “wiener dog” is a small breed that’s not much bigger than a cat. For many, especially those who love Dachshunds and cats, that begs the question: Will a Dachshund get along with a cat? The answer is that a socialised Dachshund is likely to get along with a cat when properly introduced and supervised, depending on their personalities.

However, it doesn’t always work and depends on several factors, like the prospective animals’ age, socialization skills, and temperament. In other words, your Dachshund might get along with your cat, but there’s also the chance it won’t.

Do Most Dachshunds Get Along with Cats?

Dachshunds are typically friendly, affectionate, and outgoing dogs that form strong bonds with their humans. While they can live with other pets, their ability to get along well depends largely on proper socialization and introduction. This makes them potential candidates for living with cats, especially when raised together.

Of course, all dogs are unique. Some Dachshunds will gladly share their home with one or multiple cats, but others may have issues living with felines.

Socialization and introducing your Dachshund to cats at a young age are essential if you want your pets to get along. However, Dachshunds were bred to hunt badgers, and some still have strong hunting and prey instincts. For Dachshunds with a powerful hunting instinct, getting along with cats might be a problem, especially after they have become adult dogs.

What’s the Best Way to Ensure a Dachshund and a Cat Get Along?

Animal experts agree that introducing a dog and a cat when they are puppies and kittens improves the likelihood of them getting along. At an early age, both animals are more adaptable and open to forming positive associations with each other when introduced gradually, following a certain set of recommendations and steps. Once they both reach adulthood, introductions can become more challenging due to established habits, previous experiences, territorial behavior, and natural instincts. For example, an adult Dachshund may be wary of a new kitten, while an adult cat may react defensively to an energetic puppy. All situations being equal, logic dictates that the highest chance of successfully seeing your Dachshund get along with your cat is to bring them together as babies and let them grow up together with supervision. This way, they are more likely to learn how to coexist in balance, and some may even form close bonds.

Which Cat Breed Will Get Along with Dachshunds the Best?

If you already have a Dachshund in your home and want to bring a cat into the family, you may be wondering if you should consider the cat breed when adopting. That’s because certain breeds of cats are believed to be more outgoing, sociable, and dog-friendly, although this is definitely not the rule. If you’re not looking for a specific cat breed, the cats on the list below are anecdotally believed to be good choices. However, many kittens will probably grow up to be great friends with a loving Dachshund in their home when properly socialised and gradually introduced under supervision. This list is informative and is not based on scientific research, but rather anecdotal observations, and the results may vary.

• American Shorthair
• Norwegian Forest Cat
• Birman
• British Shorthair
• Turkish Angora
• Japanese Bobtail
• Tonkinese
• Ragdoll
• Siberian
• Maine Coon
• Abyssinian
• Turkish Van

Which Age Is Best to Introduce a Dachshund and a Cat?

Animal experts often recommend introducing Dachshunds and cats when they are puppies and kittens, as early exposure can improve the chances of them getting along. At a young age, both animals are generally more adaptable and open to forming positive relationships with proper techniques and positive reinforcement. If possible, introductions can begin after they are weaned and have received initial vaccinations, but they should always be gradual and carefully supervised. If introducing a cat and dog as babies isn’t an option, introducing your Dachshund to cats at an early age is recommended. Yes, they are amicable and affectionate dogs, but Dachshunds are still dogs. As they get older and set in their ways, some Dachshunds might find it difficult to accept a cat into their home. The earlier you introduce them to their new cat siblings, the better chance all will go well.

How to Introduce an Adult Dachshund to a Cat

If you want to have a Dachshund and a cat under your roof, and the Dachshund is an adult, the steps below will help you do it right. Keep in mind that adult animals already have established personalities, which can make the process more challenging.

• Having a well-trained and socialised Dachshund used to cats that will listen and obey commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “down” is essential.
• Be sure both animals are fully vaccinated.
• Create a “safe area” for both animals and keep them in that space for several days before introductions are made. This allows the pets to get used to each other’s scent, for which you can also use scent exchange, by placing one’s blanket or toy in the other’s proximity.
• After they are used to each other’s scent and are remaining calm and relaxed, proceed to the next step.
• Using a shared door, ideally one through which they can see each other, feed your Dachshund on one side and your cat on the other. While they won’t be able to interact, the sounds, views, and smells will help both animals associate each other with a pleasant situation.
• As soon as both your cat and Dachshund can eat on opposite sides of a door without freaking out, it’s time to introduce them gently. It’s highly recommended to keep your Dachshund on a leash until you see that both animals are calm and friendly.
• This step may take weeks or months, depending on their personalities.
• Bring treats for both animals that you can give them for getting along and being friendly and calm.
• If you see or feel any tension, end the introduction session until the next time and bring both animals back to their safe spaces.
• Once they seem to get along well, you can unleash your Dachshund, but supervise them still. If any tension returns, do your best to interact calmly and, if needed, separate your pets until they calm down.

If you are still running into some issues with your Dachshund interacting with your cat, or are unclear how to proceed, you can always speak to a vet to get some advice on how to help them get along.

Why Do Dachshunds Run after Cats?

You may have been surprised to learn that Dachshunds and cats get along, especially if you’ve seen a Dachshund chase a cat with reckless abandon. The reason some Dachshunds chase cats, however, has nothing to do with how well they get along but with how strong the former’s instincts are to hunt small prey.

Dachshunds deal with their high prey instincts every day because it was bred into them hundreds of years ago when they chased and killed badgers. Badgers are incredibly strong animals that, while small, can turn ferocious when cornered and are known to fight off much bigger animals.

Dachshunds fearlessly chased, fought with, and killed badgers all over Europe, and the instincts they learned may still follow them to this day. That’s why some Dachshunds may chase cats. However, if raised with a cat or socialized well with one, your average Dachshund will get along just fine with a feline.

Final Thoughts

Under the right circumstances, a Dachshund and a cat that have been properly introduced will get along like best friends and gladly share their home. Early introductions are a great way to help ensure that your Dachshund and cat are best buds. While a Dachshund with a lower prey instinct, that has been socialised with cats and has a friendly, affectionate temperament, may have an easier time, even dogs with stronger prey drives can learn to coexist with proper training and supervision. Thankfully, Dachshunds are intelligent, social, and friendly dogs to begin with, so getting yours to share their world with a cat shouldn’t be a huge problem. Best of luck with a match made in pet heaven!