Do Siberian Huskies and Cats get Along? 7 Things You Should Know

Siberian Huskies are among the most beautiful dog breeds. They are stunning to look at and make great pets. They are very sought after and are even known to be one of the most popular pet breeds in the USA, according to the Kennel Club of America. 

What if you already have a furry friend at home, though? What if you have a cat at home? Or what if you have a husky at home and you’re adopting a cat? Will they get along? That’s the question we want to answer. Will Huskies get along with cats? Can they adjust? 

The short answer is yes. However, it’s a little more complicated than a simple yes or no. Siberian Huskies are known to be dogs that have very fine-tuned senses and instincts. Since they were bred in the harsh, unforgiving winters of the north, they still have very strong survival and predatory instincts. 

Can Siberian Huskies and Cats co-exist peacefully? 

It’s not very easy for them to get along with other animals that are smaller than them. Siberian Huskies do well when brought up with other dogs that may be smaller than them. However, when it comes to cats, it’s a lot harder. They need to be trained very thoroughly to get along with cats. 

So the answer is yes. They can get along with cats. However, it’s going to take a lot of time, patience, practice, and time to ensure that your Husky can get along with a feline buddy. 

How are Siberian Huskies with smaller animals? 

In most cases, smaller animals are targets for Siberian Huskies. They like to chase them around, and in some cases, may even have an interest in eating them. Smaller pets like hamsters, cats, rabbits, Guinea pigs, and other rodents aren’t generally safe around an untrained Husky. 

If you have reptiles as pets, they should be alright. Huskies aren’t too fond of reptiles and won’t go chasing behind them. It takes time for a Siberian Husky to get used to small animals in their space. It’s going to take a lot of time and training for your Husky to become alright with a smaller animal. 

A good way to do this is to try and introduce them slowly. They have to be introduced to each other very gradually while giving both of them enough space. Both will need time to get used to each other, to the smell, to their space being invaded, and such. 

How do you make your cat and your Husky friendly with each other? 

Here are some great tips to make sure that your Siberian Husky and your cat get along with each other: 

1. Begin at a young age 

Huskies are very intelligent dogs. They can pick up training and other tricks that you teach them quite fast and efficiently. However, the best time to train Siberian Huskies is when they are young. They have a huge amount of energy, and knowledge retention is high in Huskies when they are young. 

Similar to their regular training, it’s better to try and introduce them to cats when they are young. Firstly, this means that they aren’t too big in size, so the cat doesn’t get too intimidated. Also, if you teach them how to behave around cats when they are young, they will remember that forever. 

2. Take things very slow 

You have to make sure that you give enough time to both the cat and the Husky to get to know each other. Bringing home a Husky puppy is going to be the most joyful experience for everyone except your cat. The cat will probably see the dog as a danger initially. 

Let them be in the same room for small stretches of time under your care. Try to see how they behave when they are allowed to be around one another. Slowly increase the time that they spend together and continue. Over time, you will be able to tell if they can get along with each other or not. 

3. Make sure your Husky is well exercised 

Siberian Huskies have an absolutely endless supply of energy. They are always in action and are filled with curiosity and abundant energy. Huskies also tend to play quite rough when they have too much energy that needs to be spent. 

Cats aren’t receptive to such high levels of energy. They are a lot more laid back and don’t appreciate such hijinks. Make sure your Husky is well exercised. Ensure that they have spent a majority of their large store of energy before they meet the cat. 

4. Give them their space 

Many pet owners believe that they can get their animals to get along by just forcing them to spend a lot of time together. This could backfire spectacularly. If you force them into spending time together, you could end up with one of the pets hurting the other consciously or by mistake. 

It’s extremely important to respect the privacy and private space that your pets need. Make sure that the Husky and the cat are separated at meal times, sleep times, and during bathroom breaks. They need to be able to have space where they are completely comfortable and devoid of stress or excitement. 

5. Make sure to feed your Husky well

This isn’t just a subtle warning to you saying that a hungry Husky is going to chase after your cat and make a meal of it. Huskies do have quite a large appetite, so make sure that they are always well-fed and receiving the right nutrition. 

It may sound strange, but hunger can trigger certain behavior patterns in Huskies. If you’ve got a Siberian Husky that’s underfed, don’t be too surprised to see it chasing after the cat in earnest. A hungry Husky may actually turn to hunt to eat since it is their natural instinct to do so. 

6. Give them equal attention 

While it may seem that cats aren’t as receptive and reciprocal about love and affection, they do still require affection, validation, and attention from you. Being away from you or not having any contact with you for extended periods can cause them to have anxiety. 

As you know, Huskies, like all dogs, crave attention. They want to be the very center of your world, always. Make sure that you aren’t giving either pet too much attention over the other. This may lead to forms of resentment being developed between the pets due to their fight for your attention. 

7. Be vigilant always

Always be aware of where the pets are and what they are up to. It may have taken you a whole lot of training, and you may finally feel that your Husky and your cat have become friends and are getting along well. 

Even then, it’s better to always be in charge. You never know when the Husky could get s little too excited and play a little too rough with the cat. You also never know when your cat isn’t in the mood to play and might give the Husky a scratch across the face. Be there and be aware. 

Can Huskies and cats actually become friends? 

This is not a situation that you should expect off the bat. It’s not very common to see Siberian Huskies and cats getting along perfectly well while living together. However, that’s not to say that it isn’t possible. 

There are certain cats and certain Huskies that have that extra personality trait. This allows them to be a lot more tolerant of other animals and other breeds living with them and around them. The best thing you could do is to ensure that you train both animals to the best of your ability. 

What you have to remember is that cats and Huskies are like polar opposites. Cats are very laid back, relaxed, and aren’t overly energetic or playful. Huskies, on the other hand, are whirlwinds of energy and playfulness. All they want to do is have fun. 

These are completely contrasting attitudes, so it’s not too common to see cats and Huskies getting along very well. Train them, let them spend sparing amounts of time together, and supervise them. That’s the most you can do to ensure your Husky and your cat get along well. 

In Conclusion 

It’s a joy to have animals at home. Pets are a wonderful addition to any home, as they bring a sense of happiness and joy with them. However, having more than one pet at home is never an easy thing to do. Especially if you’re looking at two pets from completely opposite species. 

Siberian Huskies are generally very social animals, so they do have the ability to make friends and to co-exist with other animals. It’s just that their high level of intelligence and energy may lead to them chasing your cat around the house on more than one occasion. 

All you can do is train them well and then hope for the very best!