Shih Tzus are on the rise in reputation, and it’s no shock as a result of these little lion canine are lovely, hypoallergenic, and have royal ancestry. However how will they slot in together with your treasured feline good friend? Are Shih Tzus and cats a great match?
It’s considerably of a reality universally acknowledged that dogs hate cats, though it’s not at all times the case. A few of these seemingly incompatible four-legged buddies fare simply wonderful, whereas others can have grievances they merely can’t overcome.
Are Shih Tzus one in every of these appropriate breeds? Let’s have a look!
The temperament of Shih Tzus
Shih Tzus are usually perky, blissful canine which might 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 follow 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 may be the odd exception the place you’ll discover a snippy Shih Tzu — however it’s usually from dangerous socialization once they had been younger and never a genetic fault. In any other case, Shih Tzus and cats generally is 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 alter and are fairly set of their methods. In the event you begin out with a pet, you’ve got a pristine little soul to mildew into the right furry good friend, however it will take time.
A lot of time, endurance, and treats. So that you’ll must be sure you have room in your life to dedicate to their coaching and socializing. In any other case, even essentially the most doubtlessly candy pup may turn out to be an anxious or aggressive adult dog.
Don’t let this put you off from getting a pet, although! It’s the perfect age to introduce them to your cat, in any case. It’s once they’ll most simply study the pet hierarchy of their new family and respect your cat’s boundaries. When you’ve got a senior cat, nonetheless, a pet’s power is perhaps an excessive amount of for it, they usually’ll discover the little pupper’s enthusiasm and curiosity annoying.
This may end in a number of swipes at Fido’s nose and the start of a grudge which will final into maturity. Older canine launched to your family may need a more durable time adjusting to a feline presence, however that’s to not say it’s not possible — it simply takes extra time. So it very a lot is dependent upon your life-style 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 essentially the most. Take your time and do it the best approach — slowly. It’s essential to not go away them alone throughout this assembly part so you’ll be able to 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 own home has to supply them. Not solely will your cat really feel relieved, however it’ll additionally stop the pup from stepping into its meals and litter. Ideally, each room in the home ought to have no less than 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 may sound counterintuitive, however hold your new Shih Tzu and your cat separate at first. Ideally limit 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 function of permitting your pets to odor and listen to one another in the home with out truly assembly. In the event you 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 snug 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 odor 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 odor your new canine’s scent. This transitory interval ought to take a number of days no less than, however it would assist guarantee a great first assembly.
3. First Interplay
It’s time for the primary official assembly. That is finest carried out when your cat is in a protected house, with a barrier between them and the brand new pup. It provides you extra management over the whole lot whereas permitting them to see one another for the primary time.
Don’t power closeness between the animals at this level, as this may make them panic. Supply some tasty treats to bolster 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 just a little after which strive once more. The concept is for each pet to be calm and comfy.
Reward each animals for desired conduct. Don’t stretch this interplay out too long – intervals of 5 – 10 minutes are lengthy sufficient at first.
4. Shut Encounters
As soon as your cat exhibits confidence and the novelty has worn off to your pupper, it’s time to deliver them to a impartial house the place they’ll 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, give attention to coaching your Shih Tzu, reinforcing good conduct with treats and reward and redirecting them once they show undesirable conduct.
Proceed with this, and it’s best to begin to see extra optimistic 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-Dwelling
When you’re fully assured your cat and Shih Tzu are on good phrases, you’ll be able to go away them alone collectively for intervals of time. It’s essential to take care of 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. In the event you discover your new canine turning into aggressive, although, name in a behaviorist instantly to nip it within the bud.
Closing Ideas On Shih Tzus and Cats
All animals are completely different, and they’ll take their very own unique time to get to know each other. There’s no cause on the earth why your cat shouldn’t get on together with your Shih Tzu so long as you place within the exhausting 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 is perhaps powerful getting them to share. Listed below are some fascinating explanation why cats love to sleep on your head.
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