Cats and dogs can be the best of friends. There are many cute or funny pictures to prove it on the Internet.
However, you might still be wondering whether you should bring a Jack Russell into the family if you already own a cat. Or you might be wondering if you should adopt a cat if you already have a Jack Russell in your home.
So, let’s have a look at whether or not Jack Russells are good with cats.
Are Jack Russells good with cats?
Yes, Jack Russells can be good with cats, but they should be properly socialized with cats from a young age. If you introduce your Jack Russell to a cat when he is still a puppy and properly train him, then he will be able to live in harmony with a cat. On the other hand, an older Jack Russell that has never met a cat before might not be very acceptable to have a cat in his living environment, and would therefore require proper training to live with a cat in the house.
How do you introduce a Jack Russell to a cat?
Thoroughly introduce your pet dog and cat early on in their lives, they must become closely acquainted. This prevents the dog from being aggressive to the cats later on because of its bad experiences with cats in the past.
Let’s have a look at a few things you need to keep in mind when introducing your Jack Russell to a cat.
1. Introduce them slowly
If neither of them is dominant, they will both probably be willing to share their space with one another. If you find that they are getting too excited, then separate them for a while and try again later.
2. Manage the environment
The living space of your dog will need to be a space that allows him to be in control of the situation. Try to keep your cat away from the room where your dog is, especially if he is still not used to its presence.
3. Socialization
Jack Russells need to be socialized from the earliest age. A lack of interaction with other animals and people means that your puppy will be potentially aggressive later in life.
4. Use a Leash or Harness
A leash or a harness is a great tool for making sure that if you bring these two together, both of them stay in one place and don’t end up chasing each other around all over the house.
5. Keep his Toys nearby
Toys are the best way to keep your dog occupied for a few hours at a time. This will also help to keep your cats out of mischief around your dog.
6. Be Patient
Jack Russells and cats are both very independent animals which means that it will take some time for them to become friends. Be patient but persistent with your dog, he will come around to the idea of sharing his space with his new friend eventually.
7. Keep an eye on them
Make sure that you keep an eye on the two of them when they are around each other. If they seem like they are getting too excited, then quickly separate them and try again later.
8. Don’t force it
If your dog is getting a little too excited around your cat, don’t force him to interact with it. You may damage his confidence in the future and also make him aggressive towards other animals in the future.
9. Don’t be afraid to isolate them for a short period of time
If you find that your Jack Russell is being too excitable around your cat, then isolation could be beneficial to both of you at this stage.
Do Jack Russells hate cats?
Jack Russells do not hate cats, they just are not considered to be the ideal pet dog for them. That doesn’t mean that it is a terrible idea to bring your Jack Russell into the family if you already own a cat, it just means that you need to give both of them plenty of time together before you let them be alone with each other.
Remember that cats can also be very excitable and active animals, they might accidentally knock over your Jack Russell at some point. However, if the two of them have grown up together and are used to sharing the same space, there shouldn’t be any problems in the future.
Conclusion
With a few training techniques, some patience, and a little bit of understanding of how both dogs and cats work, you should be able to make your Jack Russell live in harmony with your cat.
The trick here is just to socialize your Jack Rusell with your cat when he is still a puppy, and as time goes on, they might very well end up to be best friends. And, your cat might then be able to accept your Jack Russell’s quirky personality.
In fact, Jack Russells aren’t the only dogs that can get along well with cats. A number of other breeds such as Dalmatians and Springer Spaniels are also known to be good around cats. There is nothing that says that Jack Russells are not good with cats. It was all in the hands of the owner to train them properly.
