Pugs With Cats – The Basics
Do Pugs get along with cats? Or they will they cause “Tom & Jerry” messes around the house? In this article, you will find everything you need to know about Pug’s and cat’s rivalries, and whether you can have a happy life with both pets in one house – spoiler alert, you can! Not only Pugs get along with cats, but Pugs are actually among the very few breeds that you can easily pair with cats without any issue. Here you’ll learn:
- If Pugs get along with cats (and why).
- How to introduce Pugs and cats for the first time.
- The dangers of owning both pets in the same house.
- And more about this mythically troublesome relationship.
If you love both dogs and cats but are not sure if they can cohabit the same space, this article is exactly what you need. We will show you how to properly help Pugs get along with cats. Let’s get started!
AKC- American Kennel Club
Pugs and cats, two members of ancient royalties
Pugs and cats are among the most ancient royal pets. Cats were admired in ancient Egypt, as they were believed to be godly incarnations. Pugs, on the other hand, were royal companionship to Chinese kings. Both animals have since popularized as the best pets of today’s world, and no wonder why; they’re simply perfect. Both of them share a wide array of personality traits that make them the best pets to have.
Both are quiet animals, intelligent (especially cats), and sociable (especially Pugs), which is why they can get along. They will coexist in the same environment, by simply ignoring each other or in some cases, becoming close friends (to the point of sleeping together!). The key is socialization!
While dogs are naturally inclined to be cat’s enemies, Pugs are very different from the rest of the breeds. This is simply because Pugs are a companionship breed, meaning they don’t have a high prey drive, unlike another working, hunting, and sporting breeds. This makes them less prone to go after smaller animals, like our feline pals. That’s why Pugs are not a threat to cats at all. Still, that’s not always reciprocal (read more below).
Dangers of owning both Pugs and cats in the same house
While Pugs are nowhere being a threat to cats, cats can be rather dangerous to our friendly Pugs in certain situations:
- When a Pug approaches a cat unexpectedly: cats do not like surprises!
- When a Pug approaches a kitty cat: small kitties can be even more dangerous than full-grown cats since they are easily scared, more active, and prone to aggressiveness for the same reasons.
- When a cat is cornered by a Pug: even if Pugs are playing with them, if cats are cornered by them, they will retaliate defending themselves.
The danger is that cats have great aim, and they will direct their claws to the Pug’s protruded eyes. This can lead to serious injury and even blindness! You must know that you’ll need to take certain safety measures to protect Pugs from cats!
Safety measures that can help
These are some of the most useful solutions to those situations:
- Introduce your Pug to the cat before; don’t just throw them together in a room and wait to see how it goes. This will allow the cat to set the boundaries the Pug shouldn’t cross.
- Give your cat access to tables, countertops, and other tall places where your pug doesn’t have access. This will let cats escape if needed, so they won’t apply self-defense as a last resource.
- Get a playpen for your Pug. This will be his own space to relax, so he’s not always around the cat. You can fill it with his favorite toys for Pugs, so he doesn’t try to use the cat as a chewing toy.
As a last useful tip, you need to give your cat a higher rank than your Pug. Pugs (and dogs) see your family as a pack. Everyone has an assigned role in it; you should be the alpha. Second in rank (and believing himself the alpha) should come to the cat, leaving the dog at the lowest rank. How can you achieve this? Using your breakfast, lunch, and dinner time. Sit and have your meal, feed the cat when finished, and then the dog. This will let him know (it’s part of his instinct) that he must respect the cat.
How to make Pugs get along with cats
The key, so cats and Pugs get along, is their introduction. Here are some right ways of doing it:
- When your Pug is a puppy and you have an adult cat.
- When your Pug is an adult and you have an adult cat.
- When your Pug and your cat are seniors (if they’re adopted).
You should get the Pug and the cat together in one small room. Make sure to bring another family member so he can hold the cat or the Pug. Let the Pug approach the cat (make sure he’s not aggressive; if he is, try another time). He will smell him, check him out, and be friendly. If the cat reacts aggressively, cancel the whole thing and try another time. It’s much easier if they’re both adults or the Pug is a puppy, so the cat show’s him the dos and don’ts.
Never introduce a Pug of any age to a kitty without proper supervision. If you take that risk, make sure to have one of our selected Pug first aid kits. Still, if both grow together, they can learn more about each other and have a better relationship.
it’s a ball toy, a squirrel, or a house cat. Since many cats flee upon seeing a dog, it’s easy to see how relations can quickly deteriorate. Dogs enjoy chasing cats not because they hate cats, but because a fast-moving feline triggers a strong, natural instinct that takes training and socialization to override” (opens in a new tab)”>“Dogs, even toy breeds, still retain some of the hunting instincts that served their wild ancestors. This instinct is why dogs love to chase moving objects, whether it’s a ball, a squirrel, or a house cat. Since many cats flee upon seeing a dog, it’s easy to see how relations can quickly deteriorate. Dogs enjoy chasing cats not because they hate cats, but because a fast-moving feline triggers a strong, natural instinct that takes training and socialization to override”
AKC- American Kennel Club
Frequently Asked Questions – Do Pugs Get Along With Cats?
Depending on the severity of the injury you can either take care of him or take him to the vet. For simple scratches (they can happen when they’re playing!), you can simply use some bandages and something to disinfect the wound. If the injury is in the eyes, take him to the vet immediately.
If you introduced them properly and they socialize constantly but seem to hate each other, this is almost impossible to fix. Why? Well, dogs and cats each have different, unique personalities. If they don’t get along during the first 3 months, this will remain like that possibly forever.
If your Pug is scared or had a bad experience with the cat, he may react barking, growling, and yelping when he sees the cat. If that’s the case, there’s nothing you can do to ease their relationship. You could try socializing them by hanging out with you, but always supervising them, and never forcing an encounter.
Conclusion
Don’t believe that this relationship can happen only in a troubled way. Pugs and cats eventually get themselves acquainted and learn to live together in peace. Still, you must be prepared to avoid or face these situations in the best way possible to avoid accidents.
We’ve seen cats and Pugs sleeping together, hunting together, and playing together (cats can learn to play without their claws out). And, in our experience, this leads to some really cute pics!
Are you ready to surpass stereotypes with your pets?
