pits and cats
- Thread starter Maxy24
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I've worked with APBT/AmStaffs (never owned one - only fostered) that were great with cats, some that were so-so, and some that desperately needed a feline free home.
My first foster AmStaff was amazing with cats. He would sniff her every once in awhile, and then go on his way, with a couldn't-care-less attitude.
My second foster AmStaff/GSD definately needed a feline free home. She went after Lillian very agressively, as she did with all small, moving creatures.
My third foster APBT was curious about the cat, and the dog would chase her if the cat ran. She really just wanted to play - she saw everyone and everything as either a toy or a new friend. She did go to a home without a cat - as she tended to play a little rough. Lillian will put up with a lot, but most cats won't.
My fourth foster (current foster) didn't even notice the cat for probably the first day or two. He was a little curious when he met her, sniffing all over, and now he just treats her like a furry piece of furniture - just a fixture in the house.
So, it could go either way. It does really depend on how they're raised, and what they're exposed to - which is true with any breed, but especially with high-prey-drive breeds. All the fosters were adults, between two and three years of age.
-Rosefern
My first foster AmStaff was amazing with cats. He would sniff her every once in awhile, and then go on his way, with a couldn't-care-less attitude.
My second foster AmStaff/GSD definately needed a feline free home. She went after Lillian very agressively, as she did with all small, moving creatures.
My third foster APBT was curious about the cat, and the dog would chase her if the cat ran. She really just wanted to play - she saw everyone and everything as either a toy or a new friend. She did go to a home without a cat - as she tended to play a little rough. Lillian will put up with a lot, but most cats won't.
My fourth foster (current foster) didn't even notice the cat for probably the first day or two. He was a little curious when he met her, sniffing all over, and now he just treats her like a furry piece of furniture - just a fixture in the house.
So, it could go either way. It does really depend on how they're raised, and what they're exposed to - which is true with any breed, but especially with high-prey-drive breeds. All the fosters were adults, between two and three years of age.
-Rosefern
Personally, I think dogs that get along with cats are not the norm anyways. Dogs & cats have had a lengthy history of being enemies.
With that said, it is up to the individual dog. I've seen some 'pit bulls' that can coreside with cats with no problem & some, like mine, view cats in the same class as mice, squirrels, opposum, raccoons, etc..........vermin to be exterminated.
With that said, it is up to the individual dog. I've seen some 'pit bulls' that can coreside with cats with no problem & some, like mine, view cats in the same class as mice, squirrels, opposum, raccoons, etc..........vermin to be exterminated.
My dog was not raised around cats, but she gets along with our cat. Yes, she will chase him and pester him. Sometimes I'll come in and they'll be playing, or sometimes I'll catch them grooming each other. That said, she doesn't get run of the house while I'm away, so I avoid instances where they'd be unsupervised together. I am not sure what she'd do if she encountered a stray cat, but her body language tells me that it might not be pretty.
In a nutshell, Loki and Kiba are buddies. But I use reasonable precautions, too.
In a nutshell, Loki and Kiba are buddies. But I use reasonable precautions, too.
I think if the cat is there first and the dog is brought in as a little puppy....your cat will have an obsessive licking friend. If you bring a adult pit who has never known cats...you could have big trouble. I think it really depends on socialization.
You also might ask...how will your cat treat your dog? Pits are fearless and very friendly, which can be a problem. A Pit will often be kinda pushie with their affection and will not back down or take know for an answer.
Athena and Sal were exposed to cats but never lived with one, Athena will smell them and walk away. Sal will lick them from head to toe whether they like it or not. I always worry a lot more about my dogs than the cats.
You also might ask...how will your cat treat your dog? Pits are fearless and very friendly, which can be a problem. A Pit will often be kinda pushie with their affection and will not back down or take know for an answer.
Athena and Sal were exposed to cats but never lived with one, Athena will smell them and walk away. Sal will lick them from head to toe whether they like it or not. I always worry a lot more about my dogs than the cats.
We just opened our home to a 10 week pit mix. He does not seem obsessed with our 5 yr old cat. Merlin's philosophy is you do your thing and I'll do mine. Sometimes Chance seems afraid of the Merlin and other times you would think Merlin was the only animate object in the room. With any type of dog, monitor and train, never leave them alone, and they will be friends in no time, even an overly persistant dog can be desensitized with time, and patience.
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I'm actually going to disagree here.
I think it has a lot to do with breed and individual dog.If raised right, would a BC not herd? Or a hound not try and sniff/track? Personally, if I was set on getting a dog that had to be great with cats, I would rescue a dog that is KNOWN to get along with cats. You really could get anything with a puppy. I DO think the upbringing has a lot to do with it, but I also think the amount of prey drive and temperment would affect the reaction towards cats.
JMO of course.
~Tucker
I think it has a lot to do with breed and individual dog.If raised right, would a BC not herd? Or a hound not try and sniff/track? Personally, if I was set on getting a dog that had to be great with cats, I would rescue a dog that is KNOWN to get along with cats. You really could get anything with a puppy. I DO think the upbringing has a lot to do with it, but I also think the amount of prey drive and temperment would affect the reaction towards cats.
JMO of course.
~Tucker
I think it depends on the breed a bit, but not entirely. It seems that as far as dog/cat problems go, there is outright aggression from the dog and then there's prey drive. I had a wolf mix that had EXTREME prey drive. Rabbits, mice, chickens etc didn't stand a chance with him, but he would not hunt our cats. On the other hand, a friend of mine had a dog that would display aggression to cats. Growling, barking, and attacking if it got the chance. It was like the dog wanted to pick a fight with the cat rather than hunt it. I'd trust the good natured dog with high prey drive before I'd trust the aggressive dog.
As for how pit types are with cats, I guess it depends on the individual but I honestly would be hard pressed to trust a terrier around small animals.
As for how pit types are with cats, I guess it depends on the individual but I honestly would be hard pressed to trust a terrier around small animals.
No worries there Neko and Willie love dogs, Max was Neko's best friend, if a dog bothers them they just run off.
So if we got a dog it would be from a rescue and would be an adult. I suppose we would have to trust that the rescue really did a good job testing them with cats. I wonder, If they say he is good with cats can you ask to see him in a room with one of the shelter cats to be sure before you bring him home?
So if we got a dog it would be from a rescue and would be an adult. I suppose we would have to trust that the rescue really did a good job testing them with cats. I wonder, If they say he is good with cats can you ask to see him in a room with one of the shelter cats to be sure before you bring him home?
APBT and cats
Personal history, 1 pitbull (mine) - good with cats, 1 pitbull (my friends) - not good.
My APBT Indy was excellent with the cat, raised with them; however he could play a bit rough -they had a game where he made the cat "squeak", but would stop play when told to stop "squeaking the cat". The cat apparently didn't find this offensive as much as I did, as he never left the room when this game was being played. Indy was cold, no dog aggression, but he had high prey drive and would hunt rats, 'coons, and 'possums.
My friend's APBT Lucy has removed a piece of a cat's tail from under the bathroom door (where the cat was eating for her safety), and still at the age of 10 whines that high pitched pitbull scream to get at any cats, family or not. Lucy WAS RAISED with the cats in question. Lucy is high dog aggression, and low on tolerance for family dogs. My friend is a highly skilled dog trainer, specifically with aggressive dogs, so IT'S NOT all about the training.
If you are getting an adult APBT, make sure that it has been evaluated with cats, and yes, ask to see it's interaction before you bring it home.
Training only goes so far, breed tendencies can come through.
Personal history, 1 pitbull (mine) - good with cats, 1 pitbull (my friends) - not good.
My APBT Indy was excellent with the cat, raised with them; however he could play a bit rough -they had a game where he made the cat "squeak", but would stop play when told to stop "squeaking the cat". The cat apparently didn't find this offensive as much as I did, as he never left the room when this game was being played. Indy was cold, no dog aggression, but he had high prey drive and would hunt rats, 'coons, and 'possums.
My friend's APBT Lucy has removed a piece of a cat's tail from under the bathroom door (where the cat was eating for her safety), and still at the age of 10 whines that high pitched pitbull scream to get at any cats, family or not. Lucy WAS RAISED with the cats in question. Lucy is high dog aggression, and low on tolerance for family dogs. My friend is a highly skilled dog trainer, specifically with aggressive dogs, so IT'S NOT all about the training.
If you are getting an adult APBT, make sure that it has been evaluated with cats, and yes, ask to see it's interaction before you bring it home.
Training only goes so far, breed tendencies can come through.