Will a Labradoodle Get Along With My Cat? 7 Tips to Introduce Them

Labradoodles are a mix of the most easy-going and friendly dog breeds—Labradors and Poodles. For this reason, they make fantastic family pets as they’re generally almost always great with kids. But how well do Labradoodles fit into households with other pets? If you’re a multi-pet, multi-species household, you’ll be happy to hear that Labradoodles generally get along just fine with other dogs and, yes, even cats.

Read on to learn more about raising Labradoodles and cats in the same household.

Are Labradoodles Good With Cats?

Labradoodles are generally good with cats and can often get along. Labrador Retrievers and Poodles are typically laidback and easy-going breeds, so they can learn to live alongside your feline family members under the right circumstances. However, there are always outliers, and not every Labradoodle that has ever existed will have the right temperament to live harmoniously with cats under the same roof.

To increase your chances of successfully raising both Labradoodles and cats, introduce them in a slow, intentional, and controlled way to help reduce stress and support positive associations for both animals.

The 3 Situations for Introducing Labradoodles and Cats

There are different ways to introduce your two pets, depending on the situation at hand. Let’s take a look at the three possible situations you may be facing as you adopt a Labradoodle into a cat-friendly household.

1. Adding a Labradoodle Puppy to a Family With an Existing Cat.

The introductory period needs to be slow and controlled if you’re adopting a Labradoodle puppy with no previous interaction with cats into a home with an existing cat. Your kitty will often be the one struggling with this transition, as your new puppy will likely have little to no problem socializing with other animals at a young age, when they are usually more adaptable and socially flexible.

2. Adding an Adult Labradoodle to a Family With an Existing Cat.

Many adult Labradoodles won’t have a problem learning to get along with cats; however, it really depends on their upbringing and individual temperament. Has it lived with other cats before, or has it had negative experiences with cats in the past?

Your cat is more likely to have a bigger problem with an adult dog than a puppy, not only because this new animal is invading its territory but also because of the Labradoodle's size. You’ll also need to consider your cat’s experience with dogs. Has it lived with pups in the past or had negative run-ins with them?

Have realistic expectations here. If your cat is ten years old and has had the house to itself its entire life, it may have problems learning to share its territory to the point where it may only tolerate rather than fully accept your Labradoodle as part of its family.

3. Adopting Both the Labradoodle and Cat at the Same Time.

Puppies and cats introduced into a family together from a young age can often live harmoniously with each other simply because they become familiar through early socialization.

Keep in mind that your Labradoodle will grow much faster than your kitten and can inadvertently inflict harm on your kitty if it gets too rowdy during a case of the zoomies.

How to Introduce Your Cat and Labradoodle

Now that you know a bit more about what to expect from your cat and Labradoodle when you introduce the two, let’s look at some tips for making the introductory period as seamless as possible.

1. Keep Them Apart

Do not begin the introduction process until your new pet has had a chance to become accustomed to its home. Your Labradoodle should be kept in a room where it cannot see the cat and vice versa.

2. Introduce Scents

You may feed your pets on each side of the door to help them associate something enjoyable (food) with each other’s scent. Be careful not to place the dishes too close to the door so that they become upset by the other’s presence.

As time goes on, you can begin moving the dishes closer to the door until they can eat calmly right outside of the closed door. Once they can successfully eat that close in proximity, prop the door open with a door stop on both sides so they can see each other but not actively reach one another in case one reacts aggressively or becomes overly excited.

You can also introduce scents by bringing your dog’s blanket into your cat’s space and vice versa. Every time your pet acts curiously or calmly towards the new scent, reward it with praise and treats. If there is an aggressive reaction (e.g., a growl or hiss), or signs of fear or stress (such as hiding, freezing, or trying to escape), remove the scent from the situation and divert your pet’s attention to something positive. Do not punish your pet for reacting in such a way, as this is a normal and natural behavior.

This introductory period can take several days or weeks or sometimes longer, so be patient.

3. Introduce the Space to Your New Pet

Several times a day, allow your Labradoodle to explore its new home without the resident cat around. Confine your kitty to a room and let the dog walk around and sniff its new space. You can then let your kitty explore the dog’s room without it present, but we don’t recommend confining it in this space for extended periods in case the scent overload or confinement-related stress becomes too overwhelming.

4. Let Them See One Another

Once your pets are used to each other’s scent and sounds, you can allow them to see each other. This needs to be done carefully and intentionally to keep both pets safe. Use a baby gate to keep them in separate rooms and put your dog on a leash.

If the interactions result in fearful or aggressive behaviors, remove the animals from one another at once. You can expect mild forms of such behaviors at first (such as staring, stiff body posture, growling, hissing, or retreating), but do not give them a chance to intensify, as repeated escalation can increase fear, arousal, and learned negative associations over time. It’s best to separate your pets if they start displaying such behaviors and try again later.

5. Give Each Pet a Sanctuary

Once your animals have been fully introduced to one another, each will need a space in your home that’s strictly theirs during the adjustment period. This is especially true if you’re bringing a Labradoodle into a home that was previously 100% your cat’s space. In this case, your kitty will need a dog-free sanctuary that contains its litter box, scratching post, toys, and water and food bowls.

In the same breath, your puppy may be frightened of your cat, especially if your kitty is less than welcoming to its new family member. Your pup will need a space to call its own, with its food and water bowls, bed, and toys, too.

6. Monitor Every Interaction

Never leave pets new to one another alone for any length of time as both animals can do significant harm to one another.

Labradoodles may have a predatory chase instinct, influenced by their retriever ancestry, that can make them want to chase a moving cat. Cats, on the other hand, have sharp claws that can inflict serious injury if provoked. In addition, they can be highly territorial and may defensively attack your dog if it gets in their perceived space.

It’s especially important to keep a close eye on initial interactions if your cat is a kitten. Kittens are much smaller than dogs—even puppies—and can be seriously injured or killed by a young and energetic dog.

7. Use Positive Reinforcement

Every time your cat or Labradoodle has positive interactions with one another, reward them immediately. Punishment is never the answer. If your dog is punished whenever it’s around your other pet, it will form negative associations with the cat and increase fear, anxiety, or defensive aggression toward it.

Final Thoughts

A Labradoodle and a cat can learn to live harmoniously with one another, but the introductory period needs to be gradual and intentional. The time it takes your two pets to get used to each other’s presence will depend on several factors—including how long your kitty has lived alone, if either pet has experience living with the other species, and each animal’s personality traits.

Though most Labradoodles are generally easy-going and friendly toward cats, you may have adopted the outlier that may not tolerate them. Sometimes animals may not be able to live together safely, no matter how slow and controlled the introduction period was. If the introduction doesn’t go smoothly, seek help from a professional as soon as possible. The longer you let the problems fester, the harder it’ll be to resolve them.