Shih Tzus are on the rise in recognition, and it’s no shock as a result of these little lion canine are cute, hypoallergenic, and have royal ancestry. However how will they slot in together with your treasured feline buddy? Are Shih Tzus and cats a great match?
It’s considerably of a fact universally acknowledged that dogs hate cats, though it’s not all the time the case. A few of these seemingly incompatible four-legged buddies fare simply nice, whereas others can have grievances they merely can’t overcome.
Are Shih Tzus considered one of these appropriate breeds? Let’s have a look!
The temperament of Shih Tzus
Shih Tzus are usually perky, comfortable canine which can be pleasant to a fault. They’re considerably of a lapdog, in any case. However they nonetheless have loads of power to expend and can observe you loyally from room to room simply to take pleasure in your presence.
They have a tendency to get alongside effectively with cats, because of their candy nature. There’s the odd exception the place you’ll discover a snippy Shih Tzu — but it surely’s usually from unhealthy socialization after they have been younger and never a genetic fault. In any other case, Shih Tzus and cats could be a purrfect match.
Is A Pet Higher Than An Grownup Shih Tzu?
An grownup canine is totally completely different in temper and power than a pup. They’re additionally much less malleable, that means they’re much less adaptable to vary and are fairly set of their methods. If you happen to begin out with a pet, you have got a pristine little soul to mould into the right furry buddy, however this can take time.
A lot of time, persistence, and treats. So that you’ll must ensure you have room in your life to dedicate to their coaching and socializing. In any other case, even probably the most probably candy pup would possibly grow to be an anxious or aggressive adult dog.
Don’t let this put you off from getting a pet, although! It’s the very best age to introduce them to your cat, in any case. It’s after they’ll most simply study the pet hierarchy of their new family and respect your cat’s boundaries. When you have a senior cat, nevertheless, a pet’s power may be an excessive amount of for it, and so they’ll discover the little pupper’s enthusiasm and curiosity annoying.
I’ve a collection of articles on how completely different canine breeds get together with cats: Can Poodles and Cats Get Along?, Labradoodles and Cats, French Bulldogs and Cats, Rottweilers and Cats, Corgis and Cats, Golden Retrievers and Cats and German Shepherds and Cats.
This would possibly end in numerous swipes at Fido’s nostril and the start of a grudge that will final into maturity. Older canine launched to your family might need a more durable time adjusting to a feline presence, however that’s to not say it’s inconceivable — it simply takes extra time. So it very a lot relies on your way of life and your cat as as to whether a youthful or older Shih Tzu will give you the results you want.
How To Introduce A Shih Tzu To Your Cat – 5 Steps
The introduction will have an effect on your cat’s relationship together with your new Shih Tzu probably the most. Take your time and do it the suitable means — slowly. It’s essential to not depart them alone throughout this assembly part so you possibly can monitor for indicators of stress or aggression and cease one thing earlier than it begins.
1. Create Protected Areas For Your Cat
Part off a room or portion of the room with gates or fencing to your cuddly kitty and transfer their belongings there. Their mattress, their meals and water bowls, their scratching submit, and litter tray — all of it.
At this level, they may want their very own protected house to be whereas the pup explores the brand new smells, sounds, and areas your home has to supply them. Not solely will your cat really feel relieved, but it surely’ll additionally forestall the pup from stepping into its meals and litter. Ideally, each room in the home ought to have at the very least one protected house to your kitty to retreat. Whether or not it’s a cat tree or a bookshelf, in case they need to get away from the brand new canine.
In case your cat is especially nervous to start with, one thing like a cat pheromone diffuser will assist calm its nerves whereas adjusting to the brand new addition to its furry household.
2. First Introduction
This would possibly sound counterintuitive, however maintain your new Shih Tzu and your cat separate at first. Ideally prohibit your pupper to at least one room within the very starting, so that they have time to acclimate to their new environment, smells, and objects.
It additionally helps you keep watch over them and assist calm them. This serves the secondary objective of permitting your pets to scent and listen to one another in the home with out truly assembly. If you happen to can, put a few of your cat’s bedding within the pup’s room and a blanket from the pup in with the cat.
Picture by Jaclou DL from Pixabay
This helps them get used to the thought of the opposite pet and getting comfy with them. The following step is to place your cat in a room and let your new Shih Tzu discover the remainder of the home. They’ll scent your cat’s scent strongly, additional aiding their acceptance of this mysterious animal of their new lives.
Then do a swap and let your cat go about the home to scent your new canine’s scent. This transitory interval ought to take a number of days at the very least, however it should assist guarantee a great first assembly.
3. First Interplay
It’s time for the primary official assembly. That is greatest performed when your cat is in a protected house, with a barrier between them and the brand new pup. It offers you extra management over the whole lot whereas permitting them to see one another for the primary time.
Don’t drive closeness between the animals at this level, as this would possibly make them panic. Supply some tasty treats to strengthen that this new addition is an effective factor that they need to like. If the Shih Tzu will get too excited and begins to bark, take them away for a little bit after which attempt once more. The thought is for each pet to be calm and comfy.
Reward each animals for desired habits. Don’t stretch this interplay out too lengthy – intervals of 5 – 10 minutes are lengthy sufficient at first.
4. Shut Encounters
As soon as your cat reveals confidence and the novelty has worn off to your pupper, it’s time to carry them to a impartial house the place they will meet with no barrier. Maintain your Shih Tzu on a leash, although, simply in case. Maintain this very brief and watch each pets fastidiously for indicators of stress or worry such as purring.
If both appears more likely to pounce, separate them and return to barrier conferences for some time till they’re extra prepared. Throughout this time, deal with coaching your Shih Tzu, reinforcing good habits with treats and reward and redirecting them after they show undesirable habits.
Proceed with this, and it’s best to begin to see extra constructive indicators of them accepting one another and starting to work together. You may then enhance their time collectively and provides them extra freedom.
5. Peaceable Co-Residing
When you’re utterly assured your cat and Shih Tzu are on good phrases, you possibly can depart them alone collectively for durations of time. It’s essential to keep up your cat’s personal house with out the pup, in order that they’ve a spot to go in the event that they really feel harassed by playful pet power. If you happen to discover your new canine changing into aggressive, although, name in a behaviorist instantly to nip it within the bud.
Ultimate Ideas On Shih Tzus and Cats
All animals are completely different, and they’ll take their very own distinctive time to get to know each other. There’s no motive on this planet why your cat shouldn’t get on together with your Shih Tzu so long as you set within the arduous work to ease them into friendship. However don’t ever be shy to ask for assist if you end up floundering.
Canines and cats each appear to like sleeping on the mattress, so it may be robust getting them to share. Listed below are some attention-grabbing the explanation why cats love to sleep on your head.