Sometimes we want the best of both worlds. We want cake and ice cream, we want the big house and the fancy car, and we want to own not just dogs, but cats too. And why not? Both bring us great joy, and even though their rivalry exists for a reason, many times cats and dogs have gotten along just fine. This isn’t true for all breeds though. As a current or future Samoyed owner, it’s natural to wonder, are Samoyeds good with cats? Yes, but only if you know what you’re getting into and you take the proper steps.
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Before The Introduction: Facts About Samoyeds And Cats
The key to any successful pet relationship is in knowing those pets. Every breed is a little different, just as every species is too. They all have their own quirks and needs, and while those can be the same, it’s worth knowing how they’re different too. So, whether you currently own Samoyeds or cats, here are a few things you should know before introducing them to each other.
For Samoyed Owners
You love your Samoyed. It’s easy since they love you back with ten times whatever you give them. But now you’re ready for a cat and are rightfully taking steps to ensure that introduction goes smoothly. So, what do you need to know about cats prior to the intro? One is their personality, and the other is what they need.
Cat Personalities
Cats, like any pet, come with a wide range of personality types. You have your scaredy cats, your loving cats, your fat cats, and your cats that couldn’t care less if you’re there or not. You want to select the right personality to complement your Samoyed’s. This should be relatively easy since Samoyeds are so gentle normally. Just remember that Samoyeds have that high prey drive that a cat might trigger. It’s probably best in this case to avoid skittish cat types such as Calicoes. Cat breeds that are calmer and bigger, such as Maine Coons, would be better choices.
Cat Needs
Cats need spaces where they can feel safe. Not being able to get away from a dog, even a dog they’re comfortable with, won’t make them feel safe. Even without dogs, cats need high spaces and places where they can hide. These can be cabinets, cat trees, and under beds. Having these places can help diffuse any negative interactions between your cat and your Samoyed. Again, this is important if your Samoyed’s prey drive gets triggered.
For Cat Owners
Owning a cat is different from owning a dog. Even though they both need food, water, and attention, dogs aren’t as independent as cats. So, what’s worth knowing about Samoyeds? Here are a couple things.
Samoyed Personalities
Samoyeds are, in general, big lovers. They love to be around people of all kinds, including kids. They make for great family dogs, after all. Samoyeds have been with humans for a long time, in fact, but part of that relationship was built on hunting. It’s worth keeping in mind then that Samoyeds do have a built-in prey drive. For those who don’t know, this means they like to hunt prey. Something as simple as a cat running away can trigger their instincts for this.
Samoyed Needs
First of all, Samoyeds need plenty of exercise. These dogs have lots of energy and they need to get it out. You will need to help them with this daily, so prepare ahead. They also like to be around people, so keep that in mind that if your cat likes to be around you too. They’ll also need to go to the bathroom outside and they have significant grooming needs as well, so plan to spend less time with your cat.
The Introduction: Steps To Make It Go Well
It’s ideal to introduce pets (including Samoyeds and cats) to one another at as young an age as possible, but whatever age you choose, following the below steps can be a great help in creating a happy home for all.
One: Prepare Your Home
As mentioned earlier, both cats and dogs have certain needs. Cats need high spaces and places to hide so they have somewhere to feel safe. Knowing this means potentially investing in a cat tree or building your own. If they’re an outdoor cat, have a cat door made that only they can get through. Also, make sure you have a place for your litter box where your Samoyed can’t get to it.
If bringing a Samoyed home, you’ll need to keep your Samoyed leashed, so if you don’t have a leash already, get one. Also, make sure your yard is prepared for your Samoyed so that if you can’t give them the exercise they need each day, they have a space where they can get it. They’ll need that space to use the bathroom anyway. Food and water bowls should be separated and possibly even given at different times.
Two: Bring Samoyeds And Cats Together Slowly
When you first bring the new pet home, whether that’s a cat or a Samoyed, make sure each has their own separate space. An easy way to do this is to confine the cat to a spare room, if you have one. Put its litter box, food, and water bowls in there, maybe a few toys too. Visit the cat when you can. Separating the two allows both pets to get used to the new smells from safe spaces.
After a day or two, open the door and let the Samoyed into the cat’s room. You may want to put something over the litterbox so your Samoyed doesn’t get into it. Close the door after the Samoyed is in and make sure you’re ready as the two animals feel each other out. This initial introduction only needs to last a couple minutes, then you can remove the Samoyed. Repeat this process over the next few days or until you feel comfortable letting the cat into the rest of the house. It’s advised to be present at all times during this process. It will be helpful as well to have the Samoyed on a leash until you feel comfortable to let them off of it.
Three: Be Proactive
As mentioned earlier, Samoyeds need exercise. A tired dog is a happy dog, after all, so give your Samoyed plenty of it. This will help not only prevent destructive behavior but it can also make your Samoyed less likely to attack your cat. When your Samoyed shows good behavior such as being calm around your cat, reward that behavior with treats. Both of these things can be applied to your cat too.
Post-Introduction: Keeping An Eye On Your Samoyeds And Cats
The main thing to keep an eye out for is any kind of aggressive behavior on the part of either animal. For dogs, this would be the ears going back, growling, barking, and getting low to the ground. For cats, this would be their tails puffing out, raising their backs, hissing, and their ears going back as well. If you see your Samoyed chasing the cat and not responding to your commands, this can also be a sign that the interactions between them may not be going well. Don’t get discouraged though if this happens. Just keep at it and make adjustments as needed.
Final Thoughts
So, are Samoyeds good with cats? As you’ve seen, the answer is yes. It will take time and proper planning, but it can be done. Thankfully, Samoyeds are generally loving animals and you can find the same in a cat too.
So, what do you think? What experiences have you had introducing two different pets to one another? Let us know in the comments below!