samoyed and cat

Help your Samoyed get along with cats

Can Samoyeds get along with cats?

Samoyeds are considered one of the most friendly, gentle, and playful family dogs. Due to their pack orientation, they usually get along well with other pets. With practice and training, Samoyed dogs can adjust to living and become friendly with other animals, including cats, rabbits, and ferrets.

Do Samoyed Dogs Like Cats?

Samoyed dogs do not necessarily have to like cats right from the beginning—they can be trained to coexist with each other using some of the steps we shall be looking at shortly.

Samoyeds were initially bred to hunt animals and herd reindeer. Their hunter instincts can be traced among Samoyeds of modern times who are famous for chasing smaller animals. Though many pet owners reportedly have trouble letting their Samoyed around other smaller pets, proper supervision and training can help your Samoyed get used to being around other animals and vice versa.

 

Cats are independent and alert creatures, while dogs are more family-oriented and territorial. Despite their differences, Samoyed dogs and cats have been known to live together and eventually become friends. Cat expert Jackson Galaxy says that making cats and dogs friends with each other is to bring them up in a “positive, loving, encouraging environment.” Samoyed dogs do not necessarily have to like cats right from the beginning—they can be trained to coexist with each other using some of the steps we shall be looking at shortly.

Can I Raise A Samoyed Puppy With A Cat?

 Samoyed dogs can be raised simultaneously with cats. The key is to introduce them during infancy. Older dogs have their set territories, and it might be challenging to bring in a new pet during an advanced stage in their lives. Having a kitten around when your Samoyed is still a puppy instills in him or her that a cat is a usual creature to be around.

Likewise, an older cat can be more guarded in its ways and could detest the affection which your Samoyed puppy may be receiving. If you have a clingy kitten, it might not be wise to bring home a Samoyed puppy immediately. Take the time to introduce your cat to a Samoyed puppy by organizing brief, initial meetings between the two and observing how they react to it.

samoyed and cat

There is no dog breed best suited with cats than other breeds. Each animal has its personality and energy level, and it is crucial to understand these requirements first before bringing in and introducing another pet. If there is no personality match between your kitten and Samoyed puppy, it might be challenging to have both in the same house, but there is a chance to adjust to living with each other.

 

How To Make A Samoyed Dog Get Along With Cats?

Begin all interactions at an early age to help your Samoyed get along with your cat. Strategically plan the first meeting between the two animals by bringing both into the same room with leashes on and dividing space in the middle. Put some food for both separately and observe how both respond to each other. Perform the same exercise over a few weeks and always end with treats for both animals. This will gradually build rapport between the animals.

Always keep your Samoyed dog on a leash when interacting with your cat since these dogs can become destructive when bored. Supervise all initial interactions and provide regular mind and body training to your dog. Allow both pets to have breaks throughout the exercise period so that it does not cause stress or anxiety.

Ways to Make Samoyeds and Cats Get Along

Despite the challenges, there are several ways to help cats and Samoyeds get along well. Each of these methods involves using positive reinforcement to establish the correlation between treats/rewards and having other animals around.

  1. Supervising Your Sammy’s Behavior: Observe how your Samoyed behaves when you are not around. Is he tearing objects, or leaping across the room to pick up a dropped piece of food? The chances are that your dog is impulsive and badly behaved. In this case, it may not be best to bring home a cat.
  2. On the other hand, if your Sammy has a mild temperament, gets along well with people, and is not possessive about food, you may take a chance. Put him on a leash and have him in sitting posture when you bring in a cat. As soon as the cat enters, give your dog a treat. Watch carefully how Samoyed reacts to the cat’s presence, and reward him with treats if he behaves well.
  3. Provide Your Cat with a Refuge Before You Allow Him To Meet Your Dog: Cats need a safe place in the house that is exclusively theirs. It allows them to explore areas without inviting trouble from a canine pet. As natural climbers, cats would thrive best on top of tall bookshelves or cat trees. Such spaces would allow your cat to watch the Samoyed from a safe distance and not feel threatened.
  4. Refuge spaces for cats should also leave room for a litter box. Because Samoyed dogs tend to consume cat feces, thereby causing some health problems, it is essential to keep dogs away from these boxes. It is suggested that the litter box is placed in an area that is clean, uncovered, and in an open space.
  5. Ensure Your Samoyed Gets Regular Exercise: Daily exercise is critical for Samoyeds to release their high energy, slow down brain activity, and be more controlled in the presence of kittens. For a Samoyed dog, activities involving herding toys, coursing through lures, and trick training would be ideal. In addition to walks, frequent direction changes on a block, making them sit several times on the road will enable in unleashing the prey drive in a dog.
  6. Have Separate Spaces for Food and Toys: Samoyeds can be territorial about food, so it is essential to have separate eating areas for your cat and dog. It is very likely that your cat, upon finishing its own meal, will want to try some of your Sammy’s and that could unleash your dog’s aggression toward the cat. Schedule separate mealtimes for both pets or place the cat’s bowl on an elevated area such as a high table.

Like food, animals can also be possessive about their toys. Stealing one’s toy can prompt immediate fighting and end up badly. Put a dividing screen between your cat’s toys and your dog’s toys and let each have access to just their toy sections. Remain alert for potential conflict if at any point, your animals are playing near each other’s toys.

 

How to Introduce a Samoyed to a kitten

 A prerequisite for introductions of a Samoyed and a cat is to start when both are very young. Ensure your Sammy is familiar with basic commands like ‘sit’, ‘stay’, and ‘leave it’. There are three methods that you could use to facilitate interaction between your Samoyed and kitten:

  1. Early Adjustment: In this method, you should begin training as soon as your Samoyed has been vaccinated. Acquaint your puppy with your kitten on a leash—you could use a leash for the kitten as well. Hold the leashes gently so that your animals do not get stressed and healthily interact with each other.
  2. When your Sammy exhibits no behavioral issue around the kitten, take off the leash and continue keeping a close watch. If you notice any signs of aggression—mouthing from your puppy and hissing or a snarl from your cat—take both animals away and repeat the same exercise a few days after.
  3. Separation Method: There are cases where Samoyed puppies and kittens cannot exist in the same shared space. In that case, provide separate living areas for your animals and install baby gates so that your Samoyed puppy does not have access to your kitten’s living space. Allow escape areas for your cat if your puppy stresses him or her and always keep a close watch on your animals.
  4.  Reinforcement Method: Begin by bringing both animals into the same room. Distract your puppy from the cat by saying praises and offering plenty of treats. The dog will lose interest in the cat and focus solely on the rewards. Repeat the same exercise a few times until the dog begins making the association that seeing the cat means getting treats.
When you find it safe to allow your Samoyed dog to interact with your cat, reward your dog for good behavior towards the kitten. Do not reward aggressive behaviors or if your dog keeps following your cat around. Monitor all interactions when they are in the same room in the initial period.

 

Related questions

1. Which dogs are best suited to living with cats?

Dogs of certain breeds exhibit behaviors that are more friendly towards cats than others. However, even within these breeds, dogs have varying personalities, so it is advised to find the perfect canine match based on your cat’s personality type.

 

Universally, some breeds that are good with cats are Beagle, Basset Hound, Bulldog, Collies, Golden Retriever, Labradors, Pugs, and Spaniel, among many others. Avoid dogs belonging to groups such as Terriers, Hound Group, and Herding Group since these were bred to hunt and herd other animals. Cats may not like associating with their predator instincts and could feel threatened.

2. What should I do if my Samoyed dog and cat do not get along with each other?

Encouraging cohabitation when your Samoyed dog and cat dislike each other may not have a safe approach. Experts recommend using the reinforcement method (please see above) since it happens over several weeks and allows your Samoyed to gradually connect meeting your cat with good things.

 

If this method does not work, try seeking expert help. A professional trainer could provide behavioral training and advise on how to cultivate such behaviors over a long time. Other resources include training books and pet clinics, which could offer tips on the same.