10 Things You Should Know About Labradors and Cats

If you can, the best time to introduce a dog and cat is when both are young and miss the company of their littermates.

This shared experience of separation during a critical socialization period in life increases the likelihood that a new puppy and kitten will bond very easily.

This can be especially beneficial if your pup is a medium or large breed of dog, such as Labradors.

During puppyhood, the differences in size and strength between cats and dogs are often not as pronounced, and accidental injury is less likely.
Adding a puppy and a kitten as family members to your family at the same time will make it easier for both of them to get used to each other's presence. Neither of them already has a firmly established territory in their house and neither is possessive towards the master or mistress.

Also, another benefit is that they will likely have similar energy levels during similar life stages. So you don't have an older, calmer animal that has to deal with a pubescent disturber of the peace.

When you decide to add a cat to your family, it's the first meeting that counts. When that goes wrong, it can take months for the stress to subside.

These tips can help you prepare for a first meeting that is likely to be successful:

Introduce your Labrador to the new cat in a place that's relatively neutral for both of them.

Make sure your Labrador is leashed.

Keep the first meeting short – if things go well, schedule another short get-together shortly after.

Watch for signs of conflict, such as aggression. Young Labradors in particular tend to chew on everything. Show him his limits when he wants to chew on your cat's ears and black.

Don't be afraid to invite a professional trainer for help if you're unsure or if you're doing this for the first time. For a few hours, an animal trainer is not that expensive and you can possibly save yourself several weeks of stress.

Yes, of course, you can. Then you should be aware of the different characteristics of the two animals and answer the following questions:

Thinking about adopting an adult cat?

You should carefully consider everything you know about your Lab's personality, playstyle, age, and preferences.

Is your Labrador young, energetic and likes to play a little rougher?

Or is your Labrador a bit older in the den? Happy to be able to nap more often and laze in the sun?

What is your future cat's personality like?

Is the new cat timid, small, and shy, or big, robust, and confident?
The more you can match your cat's personality to your Lab's temperament, the more likely the two will get along well.

Trainers say it takes an average of 2-3 weeks for a dog and cat to become friends. However, in some cases, this happens faster, and in rare cases not at all.

Be sure to be realistic and always be there in the early days when the two meet.