Dachshund and Cat

Dachshund and Cat: Is Cohabitation Possible?

Are you planning to get a dachshund but don't know if it will get along with your cat? Will it attack it?

Or perhaps you want to get a cat but you already have a dachshund and don't know what to expect...

We want to answer your questions on how to keep dachshunds and cats under the same roof 🐶 🐈

Be aware that it is possible to train dachshunds and cats to get along (as well as other breeds), but it will not always work.

It depends on each animal's personality, age, history, and status in the home:

It is easier to introduce a dachshund into a cat's home than to bring a cat into a dachshund's territory.

Do Dachshunds and Cats Get Along?

 

It depends on the personality of each animal and the situation they are in.

Are you bringing a cat into a dachshund's home or a dachshund into a cat's home? Or are you adopting both together?

It also depends on their age and background.

So here are several points and questions to ask yourself to help you:

Personality

Because dachshunds are very cute little dogs, people think they are little angels too 😇

Although affectionate, the famous sausage dog breed is spirited. You must remember that they were bred as hunting dogs (and terriers), which means their natural instinct is to chase and attack small, furry animals.

Dachshunds are also territorial and suspicious of strangers (hence their barking when new dogs get too close), and can become ridiculously jealous if someone or something gets more attention than them.

Some dogs are more laid-back than others, while some become abrupt and aggressive with cats.

If you are adopting an older dachshund, you will need to ask the people who know it if it is comfortable around cats.

If you are doing things in reverse and bringing a cat to your dachshund, you will need to carefully observe your dog and think seriously about whether it could handle having a cat in its home.

• How does it react to other animals?
• Is it tense?
• Do its ears pin back?
• Does it show its teeth?
• Does it growl or bark?

If so, you will likely have a hard time introducing a cat to the house, and it might not be the most responsible thing to do.

Situation

The best option is to adopt a cat and a dachshund together, especially if it is a kitten and a puppy.

Indeed, socializing animals from a very young age will reduce the risk of conflict in the house or apartment!

Depending on the dog, it is possible to bring a dachshund into a cat's home. The cat has established its territory and the dachshund will learn to fit into it.

This is much easier with puppies than with older dachshunds.

On the other hand, bringing a cat into a dachshund's home is likely the more difficult option.

Dachshunds are very territorial and do not like a stranger encroaching on their space. They may feel the need to protect their "family" and can be aggressive towards the newcomer.

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Age

The best time to introduce a dachshund to a cat is when it is a puppy.

It will still have its hunting instinct, but if it has been socialized with the cat from the start, it will be used to living with it and should not see it as a threat (it is small in size).

This does not mean, however, that you won't need to supervise it. It is still a dog, and you must be absolutely sure before leaving it alone with the cat.

It is much more difficult to train an older dachshund to live with a cat. It knows its mind and is even more independent and stubborn than a puppy; it may not tolerate a new cat...

Background

Read: Why adopt a dachshund?

If you are bringing a dachshund into your cat's home, you absolutely must find out about its past.

For puppies, ask the breeder to tell you about its parents:

• Have there been any incidents with cats before?
• Do they have a history of aggression?

If the parents were fine with cats, there is a better chance that your little sausage puppy will be able to live with a cat and adapt without too many problems.

If you are adopting an adult dachshund, find out well too:

• Has it ever lived with cats?
• Has it been socialized with cats?
• Has it ever attacked a cat?

If it is used to being around cats or living with cats, it will likely be fine with your feline friend.

If it has already had an altercation with a cat in the past, you should seriously think about the possibility of bringing it into your home safely.

Remember that some dachshunds instinctively hunt cats, and you cannot really avoid this instinct in them (it is a canine breed originally developed for hunting).

The reality is that rescue dogs don't always come with a lot of information, so you might not be lucky enough to know its past.

In that case, you will need to talk about its character with the people at the shelter and follow their advice on whether they think it could live with a cat.

How to Introduce a Dachshund to a Cat?

• Put the cat in a closed room
• Separate the cat and the dachshund with a barrier
• Scent exchange
• Let the newcomer get used to the house
• Walk your dachshund first
• Reward with treats
• Keep your dachshund on a leash
• Let the cat come out
• Wait for the cat to approach
• Distract your dachshund if it barks
• Be patient

 

Repeat the routine and do not leave them alone until you trust them 100%.

Whether you are introducing a dachshund to your cat's house or vice versa, here is what you need to do:

Put the cat in a closed room

Choose a closed room that the dachshund will not be allowed to enter.

A bedroom is ideal.

Set up the cat's food bowl, bed, toys, and litter box.

Separate the cat and the dachshund with an expandable barrier

Block the house and access points with expandable pet gates.

These barriers for dogs are great because they allow the cat and the dog to see and smell each other, without the dog being able to get to the cat.

Scent exchange

You need to get each animal used to the other's smell.

Swap their blankets and mix their scents as much as possible, and instead of washing your hands after petting the cat or the dachshund, rub your hands on the furniture and walls in the other animal's space.

Let the newcomer get used to the house

If you have brought a new cat into the house, you can let it out to explore while you walk your dachshund.

It is probably easier to ask a friend to help you so they can ensure the cat is safe before you return.

If the dachshund is the newcomer, walk it through the house on a short leash while the cat is locked away.

Walk your dachshund

An outing or walks with your dachshund will tire it out and relax it.

This way, it will have (a little) less attention on the new member of the family.

Reward with treats

Keep treats nearby so you can reward your dachshund for good behavior.

Keep your dachshund on a leash

Keep your dachshund on a leash for a short 10-minute period when you return home.

Let the cat come out

Let the cat out of its room (on the other side of the expandable barrier)

Wait for the cat to approach

Let the cat reveal itself to the dachshund at its own pace and give it the ability to go back to its room.

Distract your dachshund if it barks

If your dachshund starts barking or staring intensely at the cat, distract it and move it away.

Be patient

Let the cat decide the distance it wants to approach and keep your dachshund in the same place.

When you feel comfortable, remove the barrier(s) but keep your pooch on a leash at the very beginning and during the first contacts.

Final Paw

Once you are certain that your pet is not going to chase the cat, take the leash off, but supervise them closely until you are 100% sure that everything is fine.

If you still have other questions, we advise you to refer to your veterinarian or a dog trainer near you, and why not follow training with a dog behaviorist.

Finally, tell us in the comments your tips for the pleasant cohabitation of these adorable pets that are the dachshund and the cat 😜

The Teckelshop Team - 💚 Last modified on 01/06/26

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