As an animal lover, you realize that generally having one pet simply isn’t sufficient. Nevertheless, it’s not all the time supreme to carry one other pet into the house—particularly if the one you at the moment have might not get alongside effectively with newcomers. In case you’re debating introducing an Alaskan Malamute along with your resident kitty (or vice versa), you’ve come to the best place.
Can Alaskan Malamutes and cats coexist? Sadly, the reply isn’t a easy “sure” or “no.” Malamutes can have very excessive prey drives, making them naturally inclined to chase and kill smaller animals. However that doesn’t imply these two animals can’t efficiently combine. Alaskan Malamutes could be good with cats, however you’ll must introduce them fastidiously and supervise their interactions.
The Alaskan Malamute Prey Drive
You must perceive all you’ll be able to in regards to the Malamute’s prey drive earlier than studying extra about their suitability for residing with cats.
Alaskan Malamutes are a local Alaskan Arctic canine breed intently associated to the Russian Samoyed and the Siberian Husky. They’re working canines, historically used to assist pull heavy sleds. Nevertheless, they have been additionally famend for his or her very good looking skills and have been usually used to hunt giant predators like bears.
This robust looking background provides trendy Malamutes their excessive prey drive. Whereas your pup most likely gained’t be looking bears of their spare time, their prey drive will nonetheless be lively. They’ll be more likely to chase smaller animals, like rabbits or squirrels and, sure, cats. That is why seasoned Malamute homeowners know to maintain their pups on leashes once they’re out for walks until they’re in a very closed-in and secure canine park.
Do Alaskan Malamutes Get Alongside With Cats?
As we talked about in our introduction, there isn’t a concrete “sure” or “no” reply to this query. Some Alaskan Malamutes can get together with cats, however that doesn’t imply all will. The compatibility of a Malamute and a cat will rely loads on each animal’s personalities and the scenario by which the animals are being launched.
With early socialization and coaching, some Alaskan Malamutes can be taught to dwell harmoniously with cats. Most success tales concerned the canine being launched to the kitty once they have been nonetheless a pet, and their prey drive hadn’t but absolutely developed.
However that’s to not say that your grownup Malamute can’t be launched to a cat later in life and never be capable of coexist efficiently. It actually simply comes right down to the character of your particular person canine. Some are simpler going and extra receptive to the coaching you’ll must take them by way of to dwell alongside a cat, whereas others can’t get these prey-drive instincts beneath management lengthy sufficient to share shut quarters with smaller animals.
The way to Introduce an Alaskan Malamute to a Cat
Canines and cats can dwell harmoniously, offered the circumstances of their cohabitation are supreme. Listed here are some tips about the way to introduce a cat and an Alaskan Malamute.
Educate your canine primary instructions.
Your Malamute ought to be capable of comprehend primary instructions similar to “sit”, “keep”, and “down” earlier than assembly your cat.
Arrange secure zones.
Your two animals ought to have their very personal space in your house, which the opposite animal can’t entry. Maintain them separated, not less than till the newcomer feels snug of their house.
Start scent swapping.
Now that the brand new pet is snug in your house, it’s time to introduce each animals to at least one one other’s scent. Cats and canines use their robust sense of scent to make sense of their world, so it is a step you do not need to skip.
Scent swapping could be achieved in a number of methods. One choice is to take a blanket or toy from every pet’s secure house and put it into the opposite animal’s room. One other includes permitting the 2 animals to have encounters from behind closed doorways. Take your kitty to the room the place your Malamute is being stored and allow them to scent each other with the door as a barrier between them.
Enable them to see one another.
As soon as the 2 animals are snug with each other’s scent, you’ll be able to enable them to see one another. You should take issues slowly right here and preserve every encounter very transient. Pay shut consideration to the physique language of your pets to find out if the conferences should be reduce shorter.
Allow them to work together.
As soon as your pets can deal with the scent and sight of each other, you’ll be able to enable them to work together. Maintain your Malamute on a leash. Don’t power these encounters. Your cat ought to have an escape route they will take in the event that they’re feeling uncomfortable.
Supervise them.
It ought to go with out saying, however your kitty and Malamute must be stored separate at any time when you aren’t round to oversee them. Even the best-behaved canines could be taken over by their prey drive, and that’s not a sight you need to come house to.
Be affected person.
By no means rush by way of this introductory interval, and don’t set an unrealistic timeline for this transitionary interval. Take heed to your pets and allow them to information you. Give them loads of time to regulate to one another’s presence.
Present a cat-friendly surroundings.
Your cat wants locations in your house to climb, disguise, and escape in the event that they really feel threatened by your Malamute. Present loads of cat-safe areas that your canine can’t entry, such as cat trees, wall cabinets, or fully dog-free zones.
Last Ideas
Alaskan Malamutes and cats might be able to get alongside, however this isn’t all the time the case. It relies upon completely on the character of your pets and the circumstances by which they’re launched. You could have higher luck residing harmoniously with a kitty and a Malamute in the event that they’re introduced at a young age and the transitionary interval is gradual, managed, and deliberate.
Featured Picture Credit score: Ermolaev Alexander_Shutterstock
