Introducing a Mastiff with a Cat

No matter the misconception, a lot of canines and cats can live together in harmony. Follow these easy to follow steps to know how to best introduce your Mastiff with a cat.

1. Ensure your Mastiff understands fundamental commands like ‘sit’, ‘stay’ and ‘down’ prior to meeting.
2. Create a safe space for both your Mastiff and feline, where the other animal can not go into.
3. Keep them separated initially, for the first couple of days. Ensure both Mastiff and cat have had the needed shots.
4. Feed your Mastiff and your cat on opposite sides of a closed door. This helps make them associate each other’s existence with appealing things.
5. Once they both can eat calmly next to the door, start having meet and greets in a common location of your house. Keep the very first couple of sessions brief and calm with your Mastiff on a leash. Treat both pets for good behaviour.
6. Continue these face to face sessions daily. Ensure to conserve your animals’ preferred treats for these sessions. If your feline wishes to leave, let them, but ensure your Mastiff does not chase after. Attempt ending the sessions well before any animal reveals indications of stress or bitterness.
7. When they appear like they’re getting a long well, allow them to spend time in the space with each other. If any stress appears, return back to the previous steps and redo them.

Why do Mastiffs Hate Cats?

Not all Mastiffs detest cats, some get along with them. When Mastiffs do hate felines, of the most common reason is quite simple. Like all canines, Mastiffs still hold onto some of the hunting behavioral instincts that they were originally reproduced for. This is why Mastiffs love chasing after all moving things, whether it’s a toy, rodent, or a feline.

Considering that many felines will run away when they encounter, it’s easy to see why they are understood for not getting along with each other. Mastiffs in fact enjoy chasing after cats not due to the fact that they dislike them, but generally since a fast running animal triggers a powerful, natural impulse to go after overcomes any training or socialisation.

How to Stop Mastiffs Chasing Cats?

Training your Mastiff to quit chasing cats requires time, practice and consistency, however the benefit of not needing to worry about them constantly chasing is very well worth it. Here are the points of how to stop your Mastiff from going after cats.

1. Keep your Mastiff on a leash while loose when your cat remains in the same space.
2. Whenever your cat is nearby to your Mastiff, stop what you are doing and get your Mastiff’s attention. If he listens, give him a treat!
3. Keep treating your Mastiff till the cat disappears. If the feline sticks around provide your Mastiff a chew treat or toy so they stay focused on their treat.
4. Regularly redo the above steps and you’ll see your Mastiff instinctively sit and look up to you when they see the cat. Don’t forget to keep rewarding them!
5. If they are now automatically taking a look at you each time the feline is in the space, they’re all set to be utilizing a longer leash. If they still attempt to chase the feline at this moment reel them in and go back to step 2.
6. Finally, take the long leash off and permit your Mastiff and cat in the exact same space. At this moment your Mastiff ought to understand not to chase after the feline, however if they do return to step 5.

How to Stop Mastiffs Killing Cats?

The very best approach to guarantee your Mastiff would never ever kill a feline is to raise them with felines when they’re a young puppy before 3 months old. At this age, they will normally want to have fun with the felines and will not see them as prey.

If your Mastiff has actually killed a cat in the past, its optimal if you keep them in an open, enclosed area. When taking them for strolls try to avoid going after sunset and before dawn since that’s when cats are very active and likely to be wandering the neighborhoods.