I have always thought that a Labrador retriever is a great pet as they are friendly, loyal, and fun. While adding a Labrador to your family can be a great option, it might be more of a challenge if you have a cat in your home. I did some research as to whether cats and Labradors can get along, and here is what I f
So, are Labradors good with cats? Overall, Labradors are a great pet to add to your family and they can get along well with al kind of animals. Labradors are very social and fun and they can get along well with cats, as long as the cat is also welcoming of the company.
Having a Labrador in your home is a great addition to any family. Even if you have other pets such as cats, your Labrador can quickly become a part of the family. Let’s go over some reasons why a Labrador could do well with your household cats.
Why a Labrador Can be Good with Cats
While most people have the perception that cats and dogs will not get along, some dogs are better equipped to deal with cats than others. There are several reasons why your Labrador could be a great fit for your cat.
Friendly Animals
One of the main reasons why a Labrador is a good fit for a cat is that they are very friendly animals. While all dog breeds can be good family pets, others are not great when they get easily jealous of other animals. In most situations, a Labrador will be more than happy to share space with a cat in the family. While the cat could still get jealous, this will likely be a one-way treatment.
Easily Trained
Another advantage that a Labrador has when it comes to living with a cat is that they are smart animals that can be easily trained. Labrador retrievers became very popular because they can be taught to complete many different tasks and to mimic certain behaviors. Once you have a Labrador in your home, it will learn quickly what it can get away with when it comes to dealing with your cat. Whether this training is formal or informal, the Labrador should be able to catch on quickly.
Cats Can Escape the Situation
Finally, even if a cat seems to be overwhelmed by the new addition to the family, there continue to be ways for them to get out of the situation. While cats can be very social, they do tend to need more time by themselves than dogs do. If you have been in your home for a while, your cat likely already has a few key spots in your home where they will like to hide out and relax.
If you are thinking about adding a Labrador to your home, it is important that you prepare your home and cat for the dog’s arrival.
How to Prepare Your Cat to Meet the Labrador
The day that your Labrador and cat meet for the first time will be a big deal. There are several things that you should do in particular to help ensure a smooth transition when your Labrador comes home to meet your cat.
Gentle Introduction
The most important thing that you need to do when you bring home your new Labrador is to have a gentle introduction. Most likely, you will have many excited people or animals in your home when you bring home your Labrador. While there can be a lot of noise and excitement, it is important that you keep the home as peaceful and calm as possible the first day. This should include introducing your cat and dog in a calm manner. This could help both animals get off to a good first impression.
Have Defined Space for Cat
Cats can be very independent creatures. Because of this, they often love to have their own space. When you are bringing your dog home, you will want to make sure that you have a defined space for your cat that is not accessible for the dog. Having a high bed or litter tray will give the cat a place to consider their home and area of escape.
Be Prepared for Dog
While you will want to make sure that you have space for the cat, you should also make sure that you have what you need for your Labrador. One of the issues that new Labrador owners have is that they do not have the equipment and accessories necessary to care for their dog right away. You need to make sure that you are fully prepared. This can include having a dog crate and bed, separate dog food and water bowls, and even toys that are just for the dog. This will help to ensure that your Labrador does not invade the cat’s space.
Get Dog Trained
If you are bringing home a younger Labrador, the best thing that you could do to make sure that it is prepared to live in your home is to start the training process immediately. One of the biggest challenges that a cat can have with a dog is if the dog is wild and uncontrollable. With younger puppies, this can be contained very quickly through proper training. This will help to ensure a more relaxing environment for your cat and dog.
What to Look for in Your Labrador
If you are going to add a Labrador to your home, there are several characteristics to look for when you are choosing a Labrador. These characteristics could help it to mesh better with your cat.
Age
If you want to get a Labrador, the best option would be to get one that is smaller and younger. If you have an older cat, it could be intimidated by a fully-grown Labrador that weighs 80 or more pounds. However, if you are able to get a new puppy, it will be the same size as the cat. This could help the cat feel more comfortable with the dog right away and future growth in size likely won’t be an issue.
Temperament
While you can expect that a Labrador, especially a younger one, will have a lot of energy, you should try to find one that has a calmer temperament. If you notice that a certain puppy or dog seems to be calmer and timid, it could be a better mix for your cat. While your cat will be able to learn to live with any type of dog, one that is wild and aggressive could be more problematic.
Experience
If you are looking to get an older Labrador, it also would be a good idea to find one that has more experience with other animals. The shelter or donor should be able to give you more of a background. If you can find one that is used to being around cats or other animals, it could be a good sign.
Additional Questions
How do I know if my cat will like the Labrador?
It can be impossible to know for sure how your cat and Labrador will react and live together. However, there are some signs that could make it more obvious as to whether your cat will be accepting of a new Labrador. If you have a cat that seems to be outgoing and is social with humans, it likely will also be outgoing with the Labrador. You should also try to get a sense of how your cat reacts in loud or surprising situations, which could result in overreactions from the cat.
What should I do if my Labrador and cat don’t get along?
Like any new relationship or roommate, it can take some time for a cat and dog to get used to each other. While you may be excited to get your Labrador and cat to interact, you should make sure you start the acclimation process slowly. If they seem to be fighting a lot, you should limit the amount of time they spend together each day and slowly build the time up. You also should not leave them alone together until you are completely comfortable that they will get along. Eventually, your cat and Labrador will get used to each other’s company and will enjoy playing together.
