There is a very old prediction that cats and dogs can’t live together, their battle is also famous as they tried to chase each other to win the race of their life. Both are very different species with different mindsets but as a pet lover, you must be wanting to know do German Shepherds get along with cats.
German Shepherds can get along with cats but it will require socialization skills and training for both species. However you should not think about their loving nature towards their owners, they will require more skill and temperament to live with cats.
Both species are different from a personality point of view. If you are the owner of both species then you will have to find the real truth behind the loving nature of both species.
German Shepherds, as well as cats both, are good with owners but this does not satisfy the situation that both species can live together happily.
It is also to be noted that some German Shepherds can easily get along with cats while some will need training or a little bit of work. The exciting news here is you will be enlightened about all the facts regarding German Shepherds and cats’ companions.
This post is going to be a very informative one, so let’s get started without wasting any moments:
Table of Contents
Can German Shepherds Get Along With Cats?
The rival of dogs and cats are very famous, they use to chase more often to win the race. But in today’s world, most pet lovers wanna keep both dogs as well as cats as their pets. However, there always remains confusion that whether their dog may get along with the cats or not. I was too wondering for a German Shepherd pup, can he get along with the cat?
German Shepherds and cats both are different species with different temperaments but the great news to hear is “yes” German Shepherds can get along with cats. German Shepherds will have to get early socialization lessons and training so that they can easily enjoy the company of cats.
As all German Shepherds are different in personality. Some of them may easily get along with cats while some may need training and socialization lessons. Socialization in German Shepherds makes it easier to know other animals like other dogs or cats it helps a lot in getting along with cats.
German Shepherds also come in the category of the large breed so it’s important to understand their personality as every breed is of a different mindset. Some German Shepherds may be naturally good with cats but there may be some that may not enjoy the company of cats.
It will always be hard to say that German Shepherds are always good with cats and they will easily get along with them. Observing the personality from the beginning will be key to whether they will get along with cats or need some type of training or socialization.
Though German Shepherds are very loyal to their owners and of course very loving breed this does not show that they will also love other pets in your house. So observing the behavior will always play a crucial role if they are going to love your cat or they may be a little aggressive.
The behavior of cats can’t be ignored as they also seem to be aggressive when they observe any danger or things that can harm them. At the same time, the adult dog also wants to show their dominance so it’s easy for them when are a puppy to get along with these two species.
It’s also very good news that when your German Shepherds are young I mean to say when German Shepherds are in the puppy stage, it’s easy to train them.
Providing a German Shepherd puppy early socialization allows them to know other animals so that they can live with them. This creates a greater chance for them to get along with cats. However, understanding the behavior of your German Shepherds will be important.
Are German Shepherds Good With Cats?
The rivalry between dogs and cats is very famous and it’s always difficult for German Shepherd dog breed to integrate with cats easily. But if we have both a dog and a cat as our pets we always want both of them to be good with each other.
The short answer is, it depends. German Shepherds have a strong natural predatory instinct and can be suspicious of strange cats, so early socialization and training are important in helping them get along with cats.
With the right environment and guidance, they can learn to live peacefully alongside cats as family members. However, if not properly trained or socialized, they may view cats as prey rather than family members. In addition, some individuals may never accept cats due to their genetics or upbringing.
It is also important to note that German Shepherds tend to bond more closely with one person than other animals in the household; if multiple people are living in the home with both a cat and a GSD, each individual might need to take responsibility for their pet.
When introducing a GSD to a cat, it is best done in a controlled and supervised environment. Start by keeping the two animals separated at all times until they become comfortable with each other’s presence.
Slowly introduce them in small steps over time, like only allowing visual contact through a baby gate or door before allowing them to interact more closely. Make sure to provide plenty of positive reinforcement when the two animals interact and show signs of getting along.
With patience and training, your German Shepherd can learn to live peacefully alongside cats as family members.
Ultimately, German Shepherds are very capable of living with cats given the right environment and guidance from their human companions. It is important that owners remain patient and committed to helping their GSDs learn to accept cats as family members.
With a lot of training, love, and patience, owners can help ensure that their German Shepherds are happy living with cats in the home. You can also take help from a well professional dog trainer for introducing both species to each other.
The Root Behavior Of German Shepherds
There always remains suspicion when you increase one member in your home in the name of the pet. You must be enjoying the company of a German Shepherd and also want a cat as your pet.
Again if you are willing to introduce your German Shepherd to a cat then there will be some points to consider and know the fact about your German Shepherd.
It’s always important to understand your German Shepherd and get the actual knowledge about them as this helps ultimately for them to get along with the cat. German Shepherds will get along with cats but knowing their root behavior is also important for both species.
Let’s look at some of the facts about German Shepherds:
History
If we look at the history of German Shepherds, earlier they were bred to protect the livestock and people used this breed for herding.
Their primary job for them was to keep all the herds together so that they can easily protect themselves from predators. This process allowed them to live together with sheep.
As we also know nature can’t be changed so is the adult German Shepherd. They still practice their herding skill. If they are around cats they often use to chase or even nip at their tails.
Though this behavior is not aggressive for German Shepherds it may be alarming for cats as they find some type of danger approaching them.
Their Personality
The personalities of every species are different, German Shepherds are also born with different mindsets. Some of them get easily attached to their owners while some take little time to be getting attached. They are also known for their loving and caring personalities.
German Shepherds are considered to be protective towards their owners as they also prefer to be the best guard dogs.
They are also good with kids and they protect them when needed. With more socialization, and training German Shepherds are good companions with other pets also.
Easily Trainable
German Shepherds are also a very intelligent breed as they learn most things very easily. They also have the mentality to please their owners by picking all the commands that they teach to them. When German Shepherds are young, their minds are open to learning everything as this enables them to learn things with much ease.
As they are young teaching them early socialization is also a process of making them learn how they can live with other animals or people near them. However, this will be implemented with a cat.
They also need socialization so that do not attack others near. There should not be any fear that the animals living near them are not in any danger. It is also observed that with proper training dogs and cats tend to get along with each other more effectively.
The Root Behavior Of Cats
Cats remain more cautious and reserved as compared to German Shepherds. They also need to adapt to the new environment when you bring them home for the first time. Every cat differs in their personality point of view.
Cats have also been domesticated many people prefer them as their pets even if they have German Shepherds as their pets. If you are introducing them to your German Shepherd for the first time they also need to adapt to this new situation, they will require some training, and of course, socializing with other animals helps a lot.
Let’s also look at some of the facts about cats:
History
The history of the domestication of cats is quite interesting. Earlier people thought that ancient Egypt first used to domesticate cats but modern archaeology or genetics have shown that the domestication of cats began in western Asia around 7500BC.
In modern days cats or Felis catus are the most evolved species that are being domesticated and people love them as owing them as a pet. They have great skills for hunting their prey with a great sense of smell, sight, and hearing. They also remain more active than German Shepherds and they are also on alert if there is any danger around them.
Personality
Cats also have various personalities, they are playful with their owners, show aggression, show sociality towards humans as well as other cats, and always remain on alert. However, their personality may also vary as they are individuals with different skills.
Cats are often known for their hunting skills and even catch their prey in a more efficient way than German Shepherds. It always becomes important for domestic cats to be trained in a more effective way to improve their personality.
Trainable
Cats are also easy to train but when they are young they learn things more effectively. You should also teach them about the danger as they remain on alert mode most of the time but when they usually see people or other animals around them daily then they can determine the actual threat.
Socialization in cats is also important as you should introduce them also with other animals or people when you bring them home. It allows them to know other personalities and determine the actual danger. They also provide love and affection to their owners but they do require proper training and skill.
How German Shepherds Can Get Along With Cats?
The basics of getting along with your German Shepherd cats is to provide early socialization lessons. They need to get the proper training to enjoy the company of other species or humans. No doubt German Shepherds are very protective towards their owners but they will need to be trained to live with other animals and protect them from any misfortune.
It will be better for your German Shepherd to provide them with socialization training when they are young as this is the period they learn things more effectively. You can start their socialization lesson before three months of their age as it will be quite difficult to train adult German Shepherds.
Socializing your German Shepherds will allow you to understand the cat in a much better way as they will identify them as their friends and will also play with them. If you are good with your cat and German Shepherds then of course they will enjoy your company.
However, there are also some steps that you can also apply while introducing your German Shepherds to cats.
Step 1:
Train your German Shepherd from the very early phase of their life by providing them with socializing lessons. If your German Shepherd is not fully trained then there can badly experience for them when they get the fighting with other animals like cats.
Step 2:
German Shepherds have a great sense of smell so it always becomes important for them to be familiar with the scent of cats before the first meeting.
You can take two clean clothes and rub them on the back of each of the animals then exchange both the clothes such that the clothes with your German Shepherd’s scent can smell the cat while the clothes with the cat’s scent smell your German Shepherd. Now you can hide the clothes and allow them to find themselves.
Notice their behavior and observe their excitement to find their clothes. This will also give a true indication of how well they will behave if they find each other clothes. You should apply this situation until both of them adapt to the situation and start behaving well with each other.
If your pet is unaware of the scent of other species it would make some difficult as there is a higher chance they can be afraid of the other animal.
Step3:
Once they become familiar with each other scents through their clothes, you should try to look at each other by leaving them at some distance. You can also keep a glass door so that they can’t get panic or misbehave with each other. You should do this for some days as they will recognize each other.
Step 4:
Following step 3 will allow your German Shepherds to recognize cats and after this process, you can bring them close but keep them separate as you can take the help of a crate. Oh yeah! crate training will also help a lot in getting your German Shepherd and cat to live together.
Step 5:
Once your German Shepherd will become familiar with the cat then you can bring them to live closer but always observe their behavior. They should be aware of their scents as once they become familiar with the scents of each other than they easily adapt to the situation.
You should repeat the process unless both species become familiar with each other. Your German Shepherds, as well as a cat, will be a good pet because both can protect your house. Always provide proper training and feed them a nutritional diet so that they remain healthy and provide you with good service.
Related Questions:
Q1. Will My German Shepherd Hurt My Cat?
This is a very uncommon situation where German Shepherd attack cats. Yes, German Shepherds can hurt cats when they observe any danger in the form of cats as they can protect themselves. It’s important to provide proper training to both species so that they remain calm with each other.
Q2. Is a German Shepherd Smarter than a cat?
Oh yeah, German Shepherds are smarter than cats as research also shows that dogs are more brainer than cats. Dogs have around 530 million cortical neurons while cats have around 250 million cortical neurons that are responsible to provide intelligence to each species.
Q3. Are Cats More Loyal Than Dogs?
There are myths that dogs are more loyal than cats but it’s not true as dogs are as loyal as cats. Both species love their owners and will protect them from any danger approaching them but they will need proper training so that they would provide full service.
Q4. Why Do German Shepherds Chase Cats?
German Shepherds often chase cats due to their instinct, as herding is a behavior that is deeply ingrained in them. The herding instinct causes German Shepherds to try to keep their “herd” together, including any cats or other animals who happen to be nearby. This can lead to chasing the cat away from its home or into an area where the German Shepherd is protecting its territory or belongings.
Final Thoughts:
The idea of having a German Shepherd, as well as a cat, can be a good idea. Both of them love their owners and will protect their owners from any odd situations. You will have to provide initial training to both species.
Providing socialization lessons to your German Shepherd as well as the cat will be very crucial as it will allow them to live together happily. Always provide them with a better and more favorable environment and provide a healthy diet to get their full service.
Always keep in mind that German Shepherds are very loyal dog breeds and if properly socialized they will also behave well the other animal or people.