November 16, 2025, 7:11 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Anyone wanting to keep a dog and a cat together often faces a challenge—not every pet is naturally suited for peaceful coexistence. We’ve already reported on how a harmonious pet household can work. But are there cases where living together is simply not a good idea?
Hunting Instinct as a Risk for Cats
The decision to bring a dog and a cat together should be well-considered. In some cases, conflict is almost inevitable—especially if the dog has a strong hunting instinct. “If I have a dog that chases anything with four legs, I can predict what might happen if I introduce a small kitten,” says Patricia Lösche, chairwoman of the Professional Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and Trainers. “The dog is more likely to see it as prey rather than accept it as a family member.”
Particular caution is advised with certain breeds, emphasizes veterinarian Thomas Rieker: “In principle, hunting dogs rarely get along well with cats. If their instinct takes over, it’s not without risk. And you can’t blame them for it.”
Such behavior is not a character flaw but a result of genetic selection, as they were bred for this purpose. Rieker shares from his extensive practice in Ravensburg: He has unfortunately seen “quite a bit” of the severe consequences of such ill-considered pairings over more than 30 years.
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Cats Can Also Be Dangerous
But it’s not just the dog that can become a problem. A defensive stance from the cat is also not uncommon—sometimes with drastic consequences. “If I have a cat that doesn’t like anything in its vicinity, it’s not a good idea to add a dog,” warns Patricia Lösche.
Rieker adds: “If a young dog thinks it needs to show the cat who’s boss, it will come off worse.” This can often lead to eye injuries, even resulting in the loss of an eye.
Thomas Rieker confirms: “If a young dog thinks it needs to show the cat who’s boss, it will come off worse.” This can often lead to eye injuries, even resulting in the loss of an eye.
Animal Harmony Is Still Possible
However, he has also often witnessed the opposite extreme, a so-called pack adjustment between the two species: For instance, a female dog may experience a false pregnancy when the cat has kittens. “This maternal instinct can go so far that she even adopts and raises the kittens.”
Whether harmony or territorial conflict, the interaction between dog and cat largely depends on the animals’ character and history. A well-informed assessment before bringing them together is therefore crucial.
With material from dpa