Your Chihuahua Can Learn to Love Cats
Ever hear of the misconception that Chihuahuas and cats simply do not get along?
In the right circumstances, dogs and cats can get along just fine.
In fact, many cats and dogs have great relationships. Some have been besties from birth, while others have learned to get along with each other.
My teacup Chihuahua, Penny, has always been great around my cat, Fluffball since he was a puppy and she was a kitten, and they are inseparable.
But I know of many instances where people had gotten their pets when they were much older, and with a lot of patience, socialization, and training, everyone had learned to be happy under the same roof.
Proper Training is Key
The answer to the question: “Are teacup Chihuahuas Good with Cats?” in short, is yes.
Any animal can learn to get along with the proper training, patience, and a few tried-and-tested techniques.
With any training method, it is important to be consistent. This way, your Chihuahua clearly will know what is expected of them and what is and isn’t acceptable behavior.
Chihuahuas are very smart and will catch on quickly as long as you teach them consistently.
Socialize
Socialization is very important. It is vital to socialize your Chihuahua when they are very young.
To do this, you want them to have many interactions with other animals and people as well.
Train Them While They Are Young
It is also much easier if you work with them while they are young. It is much harder to train an older pet although, not impossible.
Remove Any Insecurities By Spending More Time With Your Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are smart and very fast learners, so they will catch on that your cat will not take over the show with some training.
Perhaps you are thinking of getting a teacup Chihuahua, or you already have a teacup Chihuahua and want to adopt a cat but are concerned about how well they will get along.
How well they will get along depends largely on their personalities.
It is typically ideal for pets living in the same household to bond from a young age because they are more likely to feel as if they both belong, much like siblings.
Rather than one feeling left out or even that they are being replaced.
However, that doesn’t mean that they can’t learn to be friends-even if one of your pets is much older or are both more mature.
Your Teacup Chihuahua Has a Big Ego
Teacup Chihuahuas, although very small in size, believe that they are in charge wherever they go. They are very curious and can tend to be sassy.
If that role is threatened, they will become aggressive, so you want them to feel secure as “head honcho” even if they share your love with a cat.
Your Chihuahua is Naturally Playful
Chihuahuas are a playful breed, so you may notice yours chasing your cat, and although seemingly harmless, you will want to train your Chihuahua not to do this.
Unless your cat is doing an equal amount of chasing, it is likely causing it distress.
There are a number of ways to train your Chihuahua not to do this, and one effective way is to simply distract your Chihuahua when it begins to chase your cat.
Use a favorite toy or treats to divert your dog’s attention and be consistent. Keep at it, and you will eventually train your Chihuahua, so don’t give up.
You can also use treats to reward your Chihuahua when it is behaving well around your cat.
You always want to reinforce positive behavior. Be mindful not to overfeed your Chi though!
You aren’t trying to change your Chihuahua’s natural behavior.
Still, you want to train your Chihuahua to be calmer around the other pets it shares a home with so everyone can be happy.
Understand Your Cat’s Personality
It is important to understand your cat’s personality because it can help you better understand its response to and interaction with your Chihuahua.
Cats all have their own unique personality, just as Chihuahuas do, but they generally tend to be dominating, much like Chihuahuas.
This means that they will both be fighting over the same turf. They are also more reserved, which can make living with a lively Teacup Chihuahua more difficult.
This is why it is so important to give both your Teacup Chihuahua and your cat a quiet place to de-stress.
Don’t try to make them share a bed but instead give them their own.
Cats and Chihuahuas-Introduce Them Carefully
The trick is to introduce them properly to each other and to make adjustments along the way as needed.
Chihuahuas are naturally outgoing and territorial, while cats can tend to be more reserved.
However, if your Chihuahua is socialized and trained properly, it is not out of the question to expect a peaceful co-existence between your cat and Chihuahua.
In order to avoid a negative first encounter, you need to do a few important things before bringing home a new family member.
If you are thinking of getting a cat, and your Chihuahua is already comfortable at home as the only pet, you will need to find out how your Chihuahua will react to that situation.
A great way to do this is to borrow a friend’s cat and see how your teacup Chihuahua responds when a new animal is in your home.
Just be sure to “introduce” the cat from a carrier in case they don’t get along the first time they meet.
They can also get to know each other through a baby gate or fence while staying safe. They should be able to smell and see each other but not touch.
Remember, animals can sense and emulate your feelings, so be relaxed and calm.
You also need to be very patient because they may not get along at their first encounter with each other.
Don’t get angry or frustrated if they don’t want to get along right away.
Watch For Signs Your Chihuahua is Stressed or Unhappy
Change can be difficult for your teacup Chihuahua and can make it stressed. Introducing a cat into your home can potentially create stress.
You will want to observe your Chihuahua carefully in the first few weeks after your new furry friend has moved in.
When Chihuahuas get upset, they may take it out on any and everyone around them and even relieve tension by chewing on your favorite pair of shoes or the couch.
Many pet owners find that if they leave their pets home alone for too long, they get distressed.
This may result in a house that is ripped apart, or they may return to find a little “surprise” on the carpet.
This isn’t because they are bad pets-it is simply their way of communicating that they are unhappy with their owner’s actions.
Animals can’t talk, so it is important to follow their cues. There are many cues to watch for.
When unhappy, your Chihuahua may turn its head away from you to avoid eye contact. Your Chihuahua may even hide or tuck her tail when it is less than thrilled with you.
How to Successfully Integrate the Newest Family Member
Once you have moved in with your new family member, be sure to give each pet their own belongings and space.
You should have a separate food and water dish for your Chihuahua and cat as well as a bed to sleep in and toys of their own.
You also want to spend an equal amount of one-on-one time with them. Doing this will help them to get along better since there won’t be any jealous feelings.
If it is taking a long time for your cat and Chihuahua to get along, you may need to give them some space as they adjust.
It may be necessary to keep them separated in different rooms-especially when you leave the house and can’t monitor how they interact with each other.
Training Your Chihuahua Has Its Benefits
Training your Chihuahua is well worth the time and effort.
If your Chihuahua can’t behave, it can be dangerous to not only your pet Chihuahua but to you and the other pets in your home.
There is a time to let loose and play around (like at the park), but you want your pets to be calm at home.
You need to communicate this with your Chihuahua with proper training.
If your Chihuahua is socialized and behaves well around other animals, it is easier to go on outings and attend social events together.
It also helps your Chihuahua feel more comfortable in potentially overstimulating environments so it won’t get nervous or anxious.
My Chihuahua used to have accidents when I took it outside because she felt scared in unfamiliar places away from home.
But the more we went on outings and left her “safe zone,” the fewer accidents she had. The same socialization techniques also helped her to get along with Fluffball.
So the next time someone asks you, “Are teacup Chihuahuas good with cats?” you can confidentially say, yes.
Because even if they don’t get along at first, they will eventually learn to become lifelong friends.
