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Huskies are intelligent, friendly, and good-natured with people. They can also be very playful, prone to chasing anything that moves, and are known for having a high prey drive. This strong prey drive can make it very difficult to live with a cat, but every dog is different, and with gradual and careful introductions, they can get along with cats. Even so, Huskies are not generally considered one of the best breeds for taking home when you have a cat in the house.
Below, we look at how you can introduce a Husky to your cat to give the best chance of them getting along, or at least tolerating one another’s presence.
Huskies and Cats
The Siberian Husky was bred to pull sleds. They lived in very challenging environments, which meant that food could be scarce, and these pack animals developed a high prey drive as a means of survival.
The breed is intelligent, but can also be stubborn, thanks to generations of being left to their own devices when not sledding. This combination of characteristics and traits means that the Husky may not be the ideal cat companion.
The 6 Tips to Introduce a Husky to Cats
While the Husky might not naturally be a perfect feline friend, they are intelligent. They can be trained, although it takes patience and consistency on the part of the handler. Therefore, in most cases, it is possible to train a Husky to live with a cat.
Below are 6 tips designed to improve your chances of a harmonious multi-pet household.
1. Take It Slowly
Introductions need to be gradual and will, ideally, start when both pets are young. Kittens and puppies that grow up together can form very strong bonds, and they will get used to one another’s behavior before they become adults.
Whatever age your pets are, though, introductions need to be gradual and careful. Give them both time to get used to the idea and to having one another around. Throwing any dog and cat together for an introduction is unlikely to yield the results you want.
2. Train Your Husky
Sure, they have a stubborn side, but Huskies are, at their core, intelligent dogs. This means that with the right methods and handling, they can be trained. Give your Husky basic training to include commands like sit, down, leave, and go. Use these commands as needed when they are interacting with your cat for the best possible outcome.
Always keep your Husky on a leash when they are meeting cats during the early phases. This allows you some control over their actions should they decide to chase rather than quietly receive your cat.
3. Use Rewards for Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement will be an effective training method with Huskies. This means rewarding them for good behavior and performing desirable actions. Rewards can come in the form of verbal praise, physical attention, and healthy, tasty treats as high-value rewards.
High-value rewards are those that are given when your dog does something especially desirable. Appropriate treats might include homemade dog cookies, doggy ice cream, or even a small piece of cooked chicken.
But do remember that your dog’s diet should not consist of more than 10% treats, by calories, and that you need to reduce their daily food intake by the calories you give as treats.
4. Give Them Both Attention
Give both the cat and the dog plenty of attention throughout introductions. Don’t prioritize one pet over the other when it comes to giving them love and pets.
5. Give Them Both Space
Both the Husky and your cat will need time to unwind after meeting and will want space away from the other. This is especially true during early introductions when they have yet to learn the behaviors and patterns of the other animal.
Ensure your cat has an elevated position where it can go to escape the attention of the dog and let your Husky head to their bed if everything gets a bit much.
6. Use Distraction Techniques
Distraction techniques can be a good way to diffuse an otherwise difficult situation, and they can work on both animals. Have your dog’s favorite toy on hand, and some treats for the cat.
Give cat treats at a height the Husky can’t reach and, if your dog is getting a bit too playful with your cat, get the toy out and let them burn off some of that pent-up energy playing with you and their favorite tug toy, instead.
Can You Train a Husky Not to Chase Other Cats?
Even if your Husky gets along with cats at home, they may never be able to resist the urge to chase other, unknown cats. For this reason, Huskies should be walked on a leash, except when they are in a secure, controlled environment like a private dog park.
However, you can use similar tactics to discourage your leashed Husky from pulling towards strange cats, as you would use at home. This is where training comes in as getting your dog to sit or lie down when they see a cat can help you control the situation. “Come” can also come in handy if you need them to return to you rather than chasing another animal. Take treats out and lavish them with lots of attention when they ignore or decide not to chase any cat they see.
Which Dog Breeds Are Best with Cats?
With socialization, training, and introductions at a young age, most dogs can learn to live with cats. However, it might not be possible to introduce some older dogs. For breeds that do get along with cats, consider all-rounders like Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers, as well as level-headed breeds like Poodles.
Small breeds also typically make good options.
Conclusion
In most cases, it is possible to keep a Husky and cats in the same house. Early introductions will take time and involve a lot of positive reinforcement. Sessions should be short, and your cat should always be given a clear escape route to an elevated position where they can rest safely and enjoy some peace and quiet.
When it comes to cats outside the house, though, it can be difficult to convince a Husky to ignore their naturally high prey drive as the breed loves to chase and will see running cats as potential prey.
Featured Image Credit: Edalin Photography, Shutterstock
