Do Goldendoodles get along with Cats?
A million-dollar question that concerns most dog lovers is whether Goldendoodles get along with cats. Shortly, it’s a big YES! Goldendoodle accepts other pets, including cats, and behave gently due to affection and sociality, thanks to its forefather, a Golden Retriever.
Still, how should you introduce a puppy and a kitten, and is it safe to leave them alone and a lot more? Well! Remain relaxed. We will answer all such queries for you in this article along with some other interesting factors.
What will you know after reading the Article?
Parent Breeds of A Goldendoodle
A Goldendoodle is a mixed breed of a Golden Retriever, a hunting and retrieving dog, and a Poodle, one of the most intelligent dogs. Here is a short brief description of its parents.
Golden Retriever
A Scottish-origin dog that was conceived for providing retrieving tasks in water and land. It is known for its loyalty and affectionate behavior.
Poodle
The breed is known for its smartness and intelligence. It has been widely accepted in the World mostly in the United States.
Combined Result
The resulting breed is a mini Goldendoodle, that carries intelligence, smartness from the Poodle, and affectionate and lovely behavior from the Retriever. So, overall due to a balanced legacy, it displays very gentle behavior with humans as well as other pets including cats.
First Interaction of a Goldendoodle with a Kitten
Well! An interesting thing happens the first time a kitten and a Goldendoodle encounter. By genetics, they live quite opposite lives and contain almost completely different traits. So, the following things should be ensured during their first encounter:
Controlled and Safe Environment
Provide your lovely Goldendoodle and the kitten with a dedicated environment. This will make it easy for them to understand each other. Ensure safety as well so that your adorable kitten doesn’t cause any damage if somehow your dog becomes aggressive.
A safe and controlled environment will help them to get along quickly. Some sessions of this type of interaction will release stress from a kitten, Goldendoodle, and your mind. Make sure there are no distractions for the dog and the kitten during said session.
Signs of Good Behavior
Being an experienced or a new pet owner, you must know about the response of your kitten and dog when happy or uncomfortable. If you’re not aware, then watch carefully as both of your pets would be moving tail and there isn’t any obvious sign of aggression from both of them.
If you see any deviations from the positive response, then immediately terminate the session and give them another chance on some other day.
Repetition of Sessions
Whether said session was successful or not, it’s your job to repeat interactive sessions between them so that a Goldendoodle gets along with the cat. Preferably, there shouldn’t be any missing days initially until both give a proper space to another.
Due to the good behavior of a Goldendoodle by genetics, you will see a warm relationship building between both in most cases. You will see a gradual bond between them and that will turn into become a good companion.
Goldendoodle’s Preying Traits and Smaller Animals
For a better understanding, let’s understand closely the prey traits of a Goldendoodle and most importantly, its behavior with other animals especially when they are small.
Preying Drive
Each dog has a preying drive and it runs to hunt squirrels, birds, and cats whenever it finds them. If we look objectively, then it seems very difficult to control the preying nature of a dog especially if they have a very aggressive attitude towards cats.
Goldendoodle and Preying Habit
Luckily, a Goldendoodle has a soft corner towards other pets and animals. They behave decently and gently with other animals throughout their life. They may show aggression if they are annoyed or feel a serious threat.
Goldendoodle and Small Animals
A Goldendoodle displays extraordinary love and affection towards small animals. So, that’s one of the main reasons why Goldendoodles get along with cats.
Exceptions Are Possible
Although a Goldendoodle behaves very well with the cat, they not be true in all weathers. Depending on the situation and how you have reduced their resistance, your Goldendoodle will behave accordingly with the cat.
Factors Affecting Prey Drive of Goldendoodle
Genetics
Genetics plays the most crucial role in the prey drive of a dog. Some dogs have more tendency towards preying while others have very low.
Socialization
Early or later socialization with cats matters a lot on a Goldendoodle’s tendency towards preying and behavior with the cat.
Training
Frequent training sessions and maximum time of interaction between a dog and a cat help in improving the relationship between them.
Tips for Management of Prey Drive
It is very important to take a keen interest and observe closely behavior of your Goldendoodle with the cat. Here are some tips to counter the prey drive of your dog:
Cat’s Perspective – Behavior With Other Pets, Especially a Goldendoodle
Cats possess altogether different behaviors than dogs. Dogs are usually social and get along with every situation. But that’s not the case for cats. Cats are selective appreciate respect and respond accordingly. Here are some key facts about the cat’s perspective in maintaining good behavior with Goldendoodles.
Respectful and Gentle Behavior
Cats get along with any breed when they feel positive, gentle, and respectful behavior. Thanks to the inheritance of a Golden Retriever, and a Goldendoodle, if trained well, displays very good behavior with cats. This makes the interaction process easy between them and results in Goldendoodles getting along with cats.
Dedicated Area
The cat loves a dedicated area where they can take a rest and spend time with herself. So, make sure that you provide a designated place for your cat that is not accessible for the Goldendoodle. This will, too, help them become good companions to each other.
Age, Size and Life Expectancy of a Goldendoodle’s Impact on Cats
You might be surprised but a Goldendoodle’s age, size, and life expectancy indeed matter a lot in building a good relationship with the cat. Here are short briefs for each category.
Life Expectancy
Mostly, a Goldendoodle lives an average life of 10-15 years. So, if you teach them well to get along with cats, then it will turn out to be a positive and long-term relationship between them.
8 Weeks Old Goldendoodle Behavior
A puppy or a low-age Goldendoodle easily adjusts and gives space to a cat. They naturally and immediately build healthy relationships with the cat. So, if you want to ease your efforts in the establishment of relationship between a Goldendoodle and a cat, expose them in the very early years of their life.
Regular Size Goldendoodle vs A Mini One
Some people believe that a small Goldendoodle is more responsive towards cats as compared to a regular-sized dog. But that’s not a universal truth. By genetics, Goldendoodles are very good and affectionate dogs. So, don’t get surprised the next time see a big Goldendoodle playing with a cat.
Role of A Well-Known Breeder
The probability of adopting a puppy or an adult Goldendoodle is more than getting your Goldendoodle from existing dog breeding. So, the role of a good breeder can’t be denied. Here are some considerations for finding a good breeder that will help you in getting a good dog.
Popularity
Make sure that you consult a breeder that has a good reputation as reputation and popularity can’t be achieved in just a few weeks.
A Good Nursery
The breeder should display you a good nursery where proper diet and care of dogs especially a Goldendoodle is carried out.
Early Interaction of Dogs with Cats
A good and professional breeder will display you a mechanism where the early introduction of dogs and cats is carried out. This process helps them to get along with each other even when they have become grown.
Bringing the Puppy Home
As soon as you bring your puppy, introduce your pets, especially cats, to him as early as possible.
8 Dog Breeds That Are Good with Cats
All dogs are not habitual of getting along with cats.
Here are some dog breeds that are known for their good behavior with cats:
FAQs
Do Goldendoodles get along with cats easily?
Yes, they get along with each other easily when introduced very early in their lives.
What doodle is best with cats?
Toy doodles behave very well with cats.
Did Pitbulls get along with cats?
Yes, they get along with cats easily.
How do dogs and cats play with each other?
Chasing, wrestling, and pinning each other are the favorite games of a dog and a cat.
Why do dogs copy cats?
Dogs copy cats due to their behavior and influence.
Conclusion
Goldendoodles get along with cats very easily and comfortably. Consulting a good breeder, who provides an opportunity for dogs and cats to get along with each other, will make your job easier. Provide sufficient time to your cat and lovely Goldendoodle so that they get along with each other. Proper care and monitoring will help you get results quickly.