Are Australian Shepherds Good With Cats? An In-Depth Look

If you‘re considering adding an Australian Shepherd to your feline family, you may be wondering: are these intelligent, energetic herding dogs a good fit for life with cats? As a dog lover who adores both Aussies and kitties, I‘ve researched this question extensively. The short answer is that with proper socialization and training, Australian Shepherds can get along well with cats – but it requires work and careful management. Let‘s dive into the details of Aussie-cat compatibility.

Australian Shepherd Breed Traits

First, let‘s review some key Australian Shepherd breed characteristics:

• Highly intelligent and trainable
• Energetic and active, with strong working drive
• Bred to herd livestock, which involves chasing and nipping
• Naturally aloof and reserved with strangers
• Loyal, devoted, and affectionate with their families

According to the American Kennel Club breed standard, Australian Shepherds are "keen, alert, confident, independent, smart, and responsive." While they are not naturally aggressive towards other animals, their strong herding instincts can lead to problems with cats if not properly managed.

Veterinarian Dr. Kathryn Primm explains that "Australian Shepherds are hard-wired to chase things that run away from them. This is part of what makes them such great herding dogs, but it can be a real problem if they start seeing the family cat as something to chase."

Minding the Herding Instinct

One of the biggest considerations with Australian Shepherds and cats is the breed‘s intense drive to herd. As herding dogs, Aussies have been bred for generations to chase, nip at, and control the movements of livestock. When living with cats, they may instinctively try to apply these same behaviors, especially if the cat runs away from them.

While a herding dog doesn‘t necessarily intend to harm the cat, their behaviors can be very stressful and even dangerous, particularly for kittens or timid cats. Certified cat behavior consultant Marilyn Krieger warns that "a herding dog‘s instincts can kick in suddenly, even if they have gotten along with a cat in the past. The prey drive triggered by a running cat can be very strong."

Statistics show that it‘s quite common for Australian Shepherds to live with cats, however. According to a survey of 298 Aussie owners, 41% reported also owning a cat. Of those owners, 53% said their Australian Shepherds and cats get along well, while 37% said their Aussies mostly ignore the cats.

Anecdotally, many Australian Shepherd owners report that their dogs form close, loving bonds with the cats they are raised with. Lynn, a longtime Australian Shepherd breeder, shared this story:

"One of my Aussie puppies went to a home with two Persian cats. The owners did everything right – they socialized the puppy to the cats from day one and never allowed any chasing. Now, at 2 years old, that Aussie is the self-appointed guardian of the cats. She herds them away from the door when strangers come over and always checks on them when they make noise. The cats adore her and rub all over her. It‘s really sweet to see."

However, for every story like this, there is another of an Aussie who couldn‘t accept living with cats even with extensive training. The strong prey and chase instincts are so hardwired in some individuals that they may never be able to safely coexist with a cat.

Socialization and Training are Key

The most critical factor in whether an individual Australian Shepherd will get along with cats is early socialization. From a very young age, Aussie puppies need to be taught that cats are friends, not something to chase or herd.

Certified professional dog trainer Irith Bloom recommends that Australian Shepherd puppies be socialized to cats starting as early as 8 weeks old:

"Introduce the puppy to a calm, friendly adult cat and click and reward the puppy for any calm behavior like sitting or lying down to watch the cat. You want the puppy to learn that good things happen when they are around cats."

From the cat‘s perspective, it‘s important to ensure they have escape routes and high-up places to retreat to if they feel overwhelmed by the puppy‘s attention. Feline behaviorist Pam Johnson-Bennett advises:

"Make sure the cat has plenty of vertical territory, like a tall cat tree or shelves they can jump onto. Baby gates are also your friend when raising a puppy with cats. The cat can jump over them but the dog can‘t follow, so the cat always has a safe getaway."

As the Australian Shepherd grows, it‘s important to continue rewarding calm, gentle behavior around the cat and to stop any chasing or herding behaviors immediately. Teaching a strong "leave it" command is essential.

Obedience training and plenty of physical and mental exercise are also critical for Australian Shepherds expected to live peacefully with cats. A bored, under-stimulated Aussie is much more likely to torment the cat in an attempt to get them to play or as an outlet for their pent-up energy.

Breed Comparisons

While Australian Shepherds can certainly learn to live harmoniously with cats, some other breeds may be better suited for feline-friendly households. In general, companion breeds with lower prey drives tend to accept cats more readily.

Some of the dog breeds that typically get along best with cats include:

• Golden Retrievers
• Labrador Retrievers
• Beagles
• Basset Hounds
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
• Pugs
• Bichon Frises

On the other hand, many terrier breeds, sighthounds, and other herding dogs like Border Collies and German Shepherds can be more challenging to integrate with cats due to their strong prey and chase drives. These dogs need extremely dedicated socialization and training to curb their instincts around cats. Even then, they may need to always be closely supervised.

Of course, there are exceptions within every breed. Some Labrador Retrievers are avid cat chasers, while some Australian Shepherds couldn‘t care less about cats. Assessing an individual dog‘s personality and drive is more important than breed alone in determining compatibility with cats.

Knowing When It‘s Not Working

Even with extensive socialization and training, some Australian Shepherds may never be trustworthy around cats. If your Aussie displays strong predatory behaviors like stalking, lunging, snapping or nipping at your cat, it‘s crucial to separate them for the cat‘s safety.

Signs that your cat is afraid of your Australian Shepherd may include:

• Hiding for long periods
• Refusing to eat or use the litter box
• Defensive aggression like hissing, growling or swatting
• Over-grooming or other signs of stress

According to veterinary behaviorist Dr. Kelly Ballantyne, "if a cat is constantly hiding, stressed, or under threat from a dog, it is absolutely time to separate them permanently. Rehoming one of the animals may be necessary for everyone‘s safety and wellbeing."

Remember, you have a responsibility to provide a safe, low-stress home for all of your pets. Much as you may love your Australian Shepherd, it‘s not fair to force them to live with a cat if their genetic instincts are telling them to chase. There is no shame in admitting that your Aussie may be better off as the only pet in an active home.

Key Points to Remember

• Australian Shepherds have strong herding instincts to chase and nip, which can be problematic for cats if not properly trained
• Early and ongoing socialization to cats is critical, starting from puppyhood
• Training a strong "leave it," providing plenty of mental stimulation, and managing the environment are all important for Aussie-cat harmony
• Some Australian Shepherds will never be reliable around cats due to strong predatory instincts; this is not a failure of training but a consequence of their breeding
• Companion breeds with lower prey drives may be a safer choice for households with cats
• Always prioritize the cat‘s safety and comfort when considering adding a dog to their home

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can Australian Shepherds be raised with cats?
A: Yes, many Australian Shepherds can learn to live peacefully with cats if they are socialized to them from a young age and trained to control their herding instincts. However, some individuals may be too prey-driven to ever be trustworthy around cats.

Q: Will an Australian Shepherd kill a cat?
A: It‘s very unlikely that a well-socialized Australian Shepherd would kill a cat, but a strong herding instinct could lead to chasing and nipping that could seriously injure a cat, especially a kitten. Constant supervision and management is a must.

Q: Do Australian Shepherds have a high prey drive?
A: Australian Shepherds do have fairly strong prey and chase drives as a result of their breeding as herding dogs. While their "prey drive" isn‘t as intense as that of some hounds and terriers, their instinct to chase is very strong.

Q: How can I tell if my Australian Shepherd will be good with cats?
A: The best predictor is the individual dog‘s reaction to cats from a young age. Look for a puppy that calmly watches cats without lunging or chasing. Avoid pups that are very fixated on cats, whine/bark at them, or try to chase them, as these behaviors can be difficult to train away. Meeting the puppy‘s parents and seeing how they react to cats can also be informative.

In summary, Australian Shepherds can make wonderful, loving companions for cats if socialized and trained properly. Their herding heritage does present some challenges in terms of chasing and nipping, but these can often be overcome with early positive exposure, obedience training, and lifelong management.

However, the strong prey and herding drives are so hardwired in some Australian Shepherds that living with a cat will never be safe or feasible. Owners need to honestly assess their individual dog‘s personality and instincts.

Ultimately, the decision to bring an Australian Shepherd into a cat‘s household is a serious one that should be made carefully. With great training and constant supervision, many Aussies can live happily with feline friends. But when in doubt, the cat‘s safety and security should be the top priority. A reputable Australian Shepherd breeder or rescue group can help evaluate whether an individual dog is a good candidate for cohabitating with cats.

If you have the time and dedication to socialize and train your Australian Shepherd, you could be rewarded with the special sight of your devoted dog and regal cat curled up for a nap together in the sunshine. But if your Aussie‘s instincts are just too strong, you may need to stick to playing herder with the humans in their life.