Weimaraners are large athletic dogs that were developed to be skilled hunters and devoted companions. It is no surprise that these beautiful gray dogs have become a popular family pet. We know that Weimaraners love their people, but how do they get along with cats?
As a general rule, Weimaraners are not good with cats. Weimaraners have a very high prey drive which makes them a danger to cats and other small animals. The inborn hunting instincts in a Weimaraner are strong and it is very difficult to keep cats and Weimaraners together in the same home safely.
Even though Weimaraners are known to not be good with cats there are exceptions to every rule. I have personally had both Weimaraners and cats together in my home successfully, but it wasn’t easy.
Weimaraners
The Weimaraner was developed in the 19th century to be a prized hunting dog with great stamina and tracking ability. At first these beautiful dogs were used mainly to hunt larger game like bear and deer, but eventually they became more widely used for hunting birds and smaller animals. Hunting large game required a dog with high prey drive that was fearless and cunning. These traits were highly desirable and the best hunters were used to produce puppies with very strong instincts.
Fast forward 100 years or so and we now mainly keep Weimaraners as pets in our homes and occasional hunting. The prey drive and hunting instincts that were so valued and instilled in the breed many years ago still run strong in today’s Weimaraners.
If you own a Weimaraner you have surely seen this instinct in action first hand. When a Weimaraner sees a bird fly by or a squirrel run up a tree, a chase is sure to ensue. Weimaraners focus on their prey and the only thing on their mind at that moment is catching it. That is the inborn instinct coming into play. A Weimaraner doesn’t have to actually see a bird or small animal for this instinct to kick in. Weimaraners have a very keen sense of smell and can track things very well.
Weimaraners and Cats
Weimaraners and cats do not make a good combination. Unfortunately the cat usually ends up on the losing end of that equation. Most of the time Weimaraners view cats the same as they would any other small furry prey animal – something they are supposed to chase and catch. This strong hunting instinct is inborn into the dog and very hard to overcome. The very few Weimaraners that can be kept in the same house as a cat have most likely been socialiazed to the cat from the time they were very young.
It is extremely important to use caution when introducing a cat to a Weimaraner. I cannot stress this enough. Under the wrong circumstances this could end up being a deadly encounter for the cat. Most Weimaraners will not be able to live with cats safely.
If you already own a Weimaraner and decide you want to get a cat, I would not take the risk. The possibility of your dog accepting the new cat as a part of the family is very low. Highly unlikely. Weimaraners by nature attach themselves to the family unit and do not accept outsiders easily, especially when the outsider resembles prey. My advice would be to save yourself the trouble and possible heartbreak and not get a cat if you already have a Weimaraner.
If you already have a cat and decide you want to get a Weimaraner puppy you have a much better better chance at a successful introduction. When introduced properly the Weimaraner puppy will view the cat as part of the family since the cat was already there when the puppy arrived. The only way I have personally been able to keep cats in the home with Weimaraners over the past 30 years is to introduce them as puppies.
Weimaraner puppies do not usually have a lot of confidence or the high prey drive that adults possess. Both of those traits develop quickly as they get older, so the younger the puppy the better when introducing to cats.
The Introduction
When introducing a new puppy to the family cat a few things can help increase your chances of success. Remember to always be patient and don’t push either animal past their comfort zone. Sometimes introductions go smoothly right away and sometimes it might take a while.
Use caution when introducing the cat to the puppy the first few times. I usually hold the cat to prevent it from hurting the puppy. It is important that the cat not hurt or scare the puppy in the first few meetings. You do not want your puppy to view the cat as something bad to prevent problems when the puppy is older.
The puppy will most likely be curious and sniff the cat since he has probably never seen a cat before. This may take some time for the cat to get used to. Once the cat seems to not be bothered by this you can let the cat walk around when the puppy is sniffing it.
It could take several weeks for the Weimaraner puppy and the cat to get used to each other. Be patient and make sure the pair gets time together each day. The time spent helping them form a bond will be very worth it in the long run.
Always supervise the cat and puppy when they are together to prevent incidents. A rambunctious puppy may try to play with the cat by jumping and biting as he gains more confidence. The cat will surely not appreciate that and will likely react with hissing and scratching.
Correct any undesirable behavior promptly with a firm “no” and redirection. The goal is to have the puppy and cat get along in a nonconfrontational way without either getting injured in the process..
Things to Remember
Once your Weimaraner and cat accept each other as part of the family, your job is not over. It is important to realize the prey drive of your Weimaraner is still a part of who he is and it could kick in at any time. Something as simple as your cat getting startled and running through the house could trigger this drive. Knowing this and staying alert will help you to keep your cat safe.
Weimaraners should not be left alone with cats, even if they usually get along fine. Accidents can happen. It is best to put the cat in a safe place or the dog in a secure crate every time you have to leave. It is better to be safe than sorry with this.
It is important to understand that your Weimaraner is bonded to your cat only, not cats in general. Any outside cat will likely still be viewed as prey. Similar to your dog being bonded to you and your family but barking at strangers when they come to the door, his reaction to unfamiliar cats is not likely to be friendly.
It takes a lot of hard work and vigilance, but it is possible to have both Weimaraners and cats together in the same household.