Labs: Do they get along well with cats?

Hi everyone! I am thinking about getting a lab but I hear that they are really hard work and such... Also, I have a cat which I am concered about, as a dog might upset the cat
If you have any advice on labrador retrievers, about if they get along well with cats or any additional information, that would be great!
Thanks so much! =]]
Ox'

hello

its a how long is a piece of string question, any dog can either get on or not with cats..... Tom and Jerry ?? LOL

Are you getting from pup, or planning to rescue. If its from pup then as long as they are socialised fine then it shouldnt pose a problem... If its a rescue then will depend on the individual dog.

Would do as much research as possible on the breed and speak to KC registered breeders for more info on them as a breed and what kind of home woudl be suitable.

hth
dani

I getting as a pup, so it'll see my cat from a young age

Generally Labs are as soft as anything!
Mine loves our cats. However she occasionally wants to play with them and she nudges them with her nose....and then gets a scratch for her troubles!!!
If mum and dad have a good temperment then introducing a lab puppy to a cat should be no trouble at all!!

if you want to ask anything about labs feel free to pm me or ask on here. I am no expert but have had a couple!!
wouldnt be without one...but you need to know what your getting into! x

The lab in my family years ago was fine with cats in the house, My collie is fine with cats, when he was a puppy he learn't to respect them by way of them telling him off but he won't tollerate anyone elses cat on a walk. My Uncles Lab is fine with their cat.

When we got Tilly (puppy) - Chloe (cat) was not amused! Its been 2 months now & although Chloe pretends to be not bothered by Tilly she does a lot of following round - sitting and watching what Tilly is doing & even tolerates Tilly having a sniff at her tail. Tilly adores Chloe & gets so excited when she comes in - she's always checking the cat flap for her -& she also has utmost respect for her - (more than she does for us) Chloe is clearly the boss so it hasn't taken long for them to get along.



This was when Tilly was smaller than Chloe!

Any dog can get along with cats if raised and socialised correctly.

a friend of mine has 2 labs and 7 cats plus the occ. rescue kitten. so yer how old is ur cat the thing is if he is use to dogs?
ATD x

It upsets me when people say that any dog can get on well with cats providing they're brought up with them correctly.

My cat was 4 years old when I brought my 7.5 week old puppy home. Since day one, I have tried my very best to ensure that they get along, but it just won't happen. :-(

My dog simply cannot resist chasing and biting the cat. She only wants to play but she is far too strong and rough with him. I've tried house-lines and used food and toys to distract her, but it is impossible to do this 24/7.

The food works temporarily, but as soon as it has gone she's seeking out the cat again! I can even feed them treats side by side with no problems, but when they've finished eating, the chase begins again. The house-line just masked the problem - the dog did not learn anything by it.

My cat is too soft and Sasha (the dog) knows it! However, Sasha has also met cats when out and been afraid of them, so I believe that it depends very much on the temperament (and body-language) of your cat as to how well they will cope with a dog. My cat has never attempted to assert his authority, and Sasha takes advantage of this.

I keep them apart with a dog gate - they are never together unsupervised.

People often say that dogs and cats can get on well if raised together properly, but do not seem to give a definition of what they mean by this? I, for one, would certainly be interested to know!

I have a rescue Lab, he is 3 next month. He shares his life with 2 cats and 3 hens. As far as the cats are concerned as long as he knows his place everything is fine but if he steps out of line they give him what for.;-)

My lab is 4, almost five and we got a kitten before Christmas. My dog can be snappy with other dogs and has chased cats outside. However, enter Hamish, 9 week old kitten who refused to run from the dog and gave him a good bat on the nose if he got to close. Cue one dog and cat who know there place with each other, the cat will even jump on the dog and the dog just ignores him. Jago was drinking the other day and the cat walked up to the water bowl, Jago sat back, let the cat drink first, then carried on once puss was done I think it depends on the dog and the cats involved tbh

Over the years I have always had labs. - only 1 bought as a puppy and the others were all rescue-at moment i have one rescue lab. Never owned a cat so cannot comment on that aspect-but just like owning any other breed it is hard work at the beginning training, socialisation,exercising etc.etc. but the love and loyalty they give you is well worth the effort-good luck

A Labrador should display no sign of aggression towards anything, whether a Cat not used to Dogs would agree is a different matter!

I wish someone would tell my lab that

Well its how the breed should be, totally none aggressive.

Labs rock !!

My H is the softest lump ever and i love her to bits !!! Just had to share that

My lot sharing a bed.



No aggression there, just three sleepy heads.;-)

I think the cat point is just as important as the dog. We have a chessie who wouldn't harm the cats ever but when they run off from him he thinks it's a game of chase they want! We have two cats - one who's not scared by Murphs at all and is far too lazy to run off from him! The down side being that she can't be bothered to face him either. The other dearly wants to get passed him but is scared by him and runs off! He has batted Murphs a few times but not enough to make him wary. We're working hard at the moment to bring them together under controlled conditions... It's a catch 22 - if the cat would stand his ground Murphs wouldn't know what to do but if Murphs would not run up to the cat in the first place he wouldn't run off!!!

I know it's how they should be, but it's not how he is. OT anyway.

I think you are right it's often more about how the cat reacts than the dog . I have two cats one is 14 and really fierce she puts up with nothing and as such she is left alone by my pup . The other cat is male and about 8 years old and a real softy . He puts up with anything and my pup has even been known to hump him and he just stands there and lets her . Luckily as she is getting older she is less interested in annoying him :?