Are Labs Good with Cats? (Meooowwww!)

Are Labs good with cats? While it’s the age-old fight to be ‘team dog’ or ‘team cat’, a lot of pet owners have a fond love for both types of animals. Trying to house a dog and a cat in the same home, though, can be a rather difficult challenge. Is this also true for Labradors? Due to their larger-than-life size, many Labrador owners might think that their dog won’t get along with a cat. But what’s the verdict?

So, are Labs good with cats? Yes, Labs and cats usually get along just fine. Although Labradors are a larger breed, they are mostly friendly and don’t have a problem with being territorial. Remember that every dog is different and some Labradors might not gel with a cat simply because of their personal temperament. There is also a right way and a wrong way to introduce Labs and cats for success.

If you are considering owning a Labrador and a cat, there are a lot of things you need to know. We are going to discuss why Labradors are good with cats in the first place and how you should introduce these animals for success. We will also give you some handy tips and tricks for helping your pets live happily with one another.

Why Are Labradors Good With Cats?

It’s no secret that many dogs won’t end up being best pals with felines. They are either stubborn, territorial, have a high prey drive, or just downright don’t like being around other animals. While this is normal, it’s not typical for the Labrador. In fact, most Labradors have no problems becoming pals with cats and these two animals can live in harmony.

But why?

It all comes down to the Labrador’s temperament.

For the most part, this breed is not territorial and they don’t have a very high prey drive. This is good news for the kitty cat that wants to hang around the Lab and be friends. Labradors are mostly friendly, too, which makes them compatible with living with a cat.

However, it is important to keep in mind that every dog is different.

Although the breed, in general, is friendly and accommodating, it doesn’t mean that your dog will necessarily be on board with adding a cat to the family. All dogs are different and some may have a more stubborn attitude or unfriendly nature, but this isn’t common with Labs.

How to Successfully Introduce (and Live with) a Lab and a Cat

Knowing that your Labrador and a cat will get along just fine is a great place to start, but it’s not the end of the story. Just like any dog and cat, you can’t toss them into a room and expect them to be happy and thrilled with the new furball in the room.

We’re going to give you some must-know tips and tricks on how to successfully introduce the Lab and the cat and help them to live in harmony.

1. Introduce Them at a Young Age

The absolute best thing to do when owning a dog and a cat is to introduce them when they are young. By doing so, they will be able to grow up with each other and be completely comfortable and accommodated. This lessens the risk of having personality problems with the dog and cat. Neither of them will feel that they ‘own’ the home, either, and won’t mind sharing the area.

If you can, try and get your Labrador puppy at the same time as you get the small kitty. They will be able to grow up together and they won’t know anything different. They may still fight from time to time like siblings, but they will also love each other like siblings, too, and that is the main goal.

2. Let Them Get to Know Each Other in Small Doses

If you don’t have the option of getting both dogs and cats while they are young, then you have to rely on other methods of bringing the two together in the same home. While it may be a bit more challenging, it’s not impossible. After all, the Labrador Retriever is a very friendly and accommodating pet, so waiting till he’s older shouldn’t be too difficult.

When introducing an older Labrador to a cat, the best thing to do is to start with small doses. Like we said previously, you can’t throw these animals in a room and expect a miracle. You need to let them get to know each other at a slow pace. Then, after a few short visits, you can make the visits longer as they grow to accept one another.

Keep in mind, though, that during these initial visits you need to keep an eye on the dog and the cat. This is the time when you will notice any types of temperament issues or conflicts. If your dog and cat don’t get along, then you will need to step in and either try and help or keep them away from each other.

3. Make Sure They Have Their Own Space

Always make sure that they have their own personal space to go and relax.

After all, as humans, we have our own bedrooms so we can ‘escape’ from the world for a bit. Well, your dog and your cat want the same luxury.

This means that there should be a designated area for your dog and cat. 

4. Make Sure Your Lab is Trained

Obedience training can change everything. To put it simply, a well-trained and obedient Labrador is going to have a much easier time handling a new cat in the room. Obedience training helps in a number of ways, but perhaps the biggest advantage is that your Lab will be able to remain calm and put his chasing instincts behind him. Should your Labrador start to feel the urge to chase, you can use some simple commands like ‘Stop’ or ‘Stay’- and trust us, your cat will thank you for that one.

5. Try and Match Personalities

Matching personality types is crucial!

If you’re dealing with a stubborn cat who is jittery and your Labrador is playful and likes to chase, it’s going to be a recipe for disaster.

The best thing to do is to try and match personalities and temperaments for the best results. 

Always remember that Labs are likely to be friendly and accommodating of a cat, so you will probably need to spend more time finding a cat with the right temperament to suit your Lab.

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