Introducing a Shih Tzu with a Cat

Despite the misunderstanding, a lot of pet dogs and felines can live together in harmony. Follow these easy to follow steps to learn how to best introduce your Shih Tzu with a cat.

1. Make sure your Shih Tzu knows standard commands like ‘sit’, ‘stay’ and ‘down’ before meeting.
2. Set up a safe space for both your Shih Tzu and feline, where the other pet can not get in.
3. Keep them separated in the beginning, for the first few days. Make sure both Shih Tzu and feline have had the required shots.
4. Feed your Shih Tzu and your feline on opposite sides of a closed door. This makes them affiliate each other’s existence with favorable things.
5. Once they both can ingest calmly beside the door, commence having meet and greets in a common place of the house. Keep the first few sessions brief and calm with your Shih Tzu on a leash. Treat both pets for really good behaviour.
6. Carry on with these face to face sessions on a daily basis. Ensure to save your family pets’ favourite treats for these sessions. If your cat wants to leave, allow them to, however make sure your Shih Tzu does not go after. Attempt ending the sessions well before any family pet reveals signs of tension or resentment.
7. When they seem like they’re getting a long well, let them spend time in the area with each other. If any tension emerges, return back to the previous steps and redo them.

Why do Shih Tzus Hate Cats?

Not all Shih Tzus dislike felines, some get along with them. When Shih Tzus do hate cats, of the most common factor is quite simple. Like all dogs, Shih Tzus still hold onto some of the hunting impulses that they were initially reproduced for. This is why Shih Tzus love chasing after all moving objects, whether it’s a toy, mouse, or a cat.

Considering that most felines will escape when they come across, it’s easy to see why they are understood for not being friendly with each other. Shih Tzus actually take pleasure in chasing after cats not due to the fact that they hate them, however primarily because a quick running animal sets off a powerful, natural reaction to chase overcomes any training or socialisation.

How to Stop Shih Tzus Chasing Cats?

Teaching your Shih Tzu to quit chasing cats requires time, practice and consistency, but the reward of not having to stress over them continually going after is very well worth it. Here are the phases of how to stop your Shih Tzu from chasing after cats.

1. Keep your Shih Tzu on a leash while loose when your cat remains in the same room.
2. Whenever your feline is nearby to your Shih Tzu, stop what you are doing and get your Shih Tzu’s attention. If he pays attention, offer him a treat!
3. Keep treating your Shih Tzu until the cat disappears. If the feline sticks around provide your Shih Tzu a chew treat or toy so they remain concentrated on their treat.
4. Consistently redo the above procedures and you’ll see your Shih Tzu instinctively sit and look up to you when they see the feline. Don’t forget to keep rewarding them!
5. If they are now instantly taking a look at you each time the cat remains in the space, they’re all set to be using a longer leash. If they still try to go after the cat at this point reel them in and return to step 2.
6. Finally, take the long leash off and enable your Shih Tzu and feline in the very same area. At this point your Shih Tzu must understand not to go after the feline, but if they do return to step 5.

How to Stop Shih Tzus Killing Cats?

The best method to ensure your Shih Tzu would never kill a cat is to raise them with felines when they’re a pup before 3 months old. At this age, they will generally wish to have fun with the cats and will not see them as prey.

If your Shih Tzu has actually eliminated a feline before, its best if you keep them in an open, enclosed space. When taking them for walks try to avoid going after sunset and prior to dawn because that’s when cats are most active and likely to be roaming the streets.