Vizsla and Cats: All You Need to Know

It is normal that many families in the world want to acquire a pet. People consider these animals as excellent life companions and additional members of their family because of the loyalty and love they offer. 

vizsla and cats
Vizsla and Cats: All You Need To Know

The most common pets that we can find in most homes are dogs, cats, snakes, rodents, fish, snakes, etc. However, the most common are cats and dogs. 

It is for this reason that many people love having both dogs and cats as pets in their homes. Now, it is essential to note that not all dogs get along well with cats, and that may be due to their characteristics in terms of their personality. 

One of the most interesting and desired dog breeds by families is the Vizsla. It is a canine with excellent hunting skills that has a high level of physical activity that allows it to exercise every day for long periods. In addition, they are animals with a loving and friendly personality with their owners and members of their human family with the advantage that they can also get along with other people and animals. 

One of the questions that people ask themselves before acquiring a Vizsla is related to whether these canines can get along well with cats or not. The most significant concern arises because this breed has a hunting instinct, and therefore, it could chase certain types of smaller animals.

Related Reading: Do Huskies Get Along with Cats?

Vizsla and Cats 

Generally, Vizsla can get along well with other animals, including cats. However, that will depend on the behavior and personality of each dog and the training it has received since a puppy. That means that the relationship between a Vizsla and a cat will not depend exclusively on the breed but on the behavior and traits that it has acquired throughout its life. 

There are certain factors that will influence the coexistence between your Vizsla and cat. The most important are the socialization training, the amount of attention, and the interactivity between the two when playing or exercising. All these aspects have a significant influence on the relationship between the two pets. 

Another factor that can influence is the size of the cat. As we know, Vizslas are animals that have a hunting instinct by nature. Therefore, if this canine lives together with a small breed of cat, then it could be in danger if the Vizsla’s hunting instinct shows up. It is for this reason that it is not recommended that a dog of this breed live with small animals. 

The training your Vizsla should receive is very important in these situations. We know that Vizslas are active and energetic and love to play with children and other animals. In this case, your dog may make your cat uncomfortable and accidentally hit it due to its hyperactivity. The cat could get angry about such a situation, and as a consequence, it could hurt your Vizsla. 

Socialization Training for Your Vizsla 

Based on what we have said before, training is one of the best ways to get your Vizsla to get along with your cat. Anyone who has both animals as pets wants them to get along and have fun together. 

Keep Them Separate 

One of the first things to do when bringing your new Vizsla home is to keep it away from your cat for a while. That’s because your new canine may not yet know how to live with other animals, especially cats. For that reason, the best option is to keep them away from each other because otherwise, it could be dangerous for them to interact. 

Make sure your cat has a safe place that is out of reach of your Vizsla. This place can be your room or that of some other member of the family. You can even install a baby door so that your cat is the only one who has access to the room, thus preventing the Vizsla from entering. 

You may need to keep them separate for a few days to prevent any unwanted situations. So be sure to put some food, water, and a litter box in the room where your cat is. 

Before introducing your Vizsla to your cat, you should teach the command “Focus” to your canine using positive reinforcement. That will allow you to draw your dog’s attention to you when it is distracted by an object or in this case, your cat. Positive reinforcement will allow your Vizsla to learn quickly and comfortably. 

Introduce Your Cat to Your Vizsla 

Once about 5 days have passed, you have to start spending some time with your cat. That will allow you to strengthen your bond with your feline pet and will create greater confidence when it comes to meeting the Vizsla. 

Keep your cat close to you for several hours while your Vizsla is in a safe place (a room in the house) together with another member of your family (remember that Vizslas suffer from separation anxiety, so it is not advisable to leave them alone ). 

Once you’ve spent some time with your cat, it’s time to visit your Vizsla and spend time with it. Repeat this process about 3 times before moving on to the next step. 

Start Bringing Your Vizsla Closer to Your Cat’s Room 

The Vizsla is an active and curious dog that will surely want to explore every corner of your home. It is inevitable that it will arrive at the door of the room where your cat is. Let it get closer there. 

Your canine may start to growl and try to enter through the baby gate you have installed. What you should do is stay next to your Vizsla and hug it. Also, at this time, you can use the “Focus” command to get its attention. Generally, this process only needs to be done a couple of times, but you can try again if necessary. 

After that, open the door to the room and stand there with your Vizsla. That way, it can see the cat and begin to get to know it visually. It is vital that you use a safe method to prevent your Vizsla from wandering away from you and starting to chase the cat. It would be best to tie the canine during this process. 

You should carry out this practice about 3 times every two or three days. When you notice that your canine begins to have an acceptable behavior in front of your cat, then it is time for the next step. 

Let the Vizsla Get Closer to Your Cat 

It is important to note that before proceeding to this step, your Vizsla should have zero symptoms of aggressiveness towards the feline. As in the previous point, make sure to keep your Vizsla on the leash before opening the room where the cat is. The idea is for the cat to leave the room on its own. 

The cat will surely approach your Vizsla to meet it. Let it do it for 10 minutes. After that time, put the cat back in its room. Doing this process several times each day will allow the Vizsla to get used to the presence of the cat, gradually increasing the interaction between the two. 

Notably, this training method works with both a puppy and an adult Vizsla. However, if you acquire an adult canine of this type, it is important that you know a little about its past. Therefore, you can ask its previous breeder so that you know a little more about your new pet. 

Vizsla and cat
Vizsla and Cat

Conclusion 

When you have a Vizsla, you will realize that it will be very affectionate with each member of the family and that it will get along even with other animals. It may be tricky at first, but with a little prior socialization training, you can get your canine to get along with your cat or even any other animal (not small animals). 

If you are a person who yearns to have a dog and cat as pets, then the Vizsla is undoubtedly a good option. 

stuart and his dog

Family Dog Expert Author

Hi there! I’m Stuart, a devoted dog lover and family dog expert with over a decade of experience working with our furry companions. My passion for dogs drives me to share my knowledge and expertise, helping families build strong, loving bonds with their four-legged friends. When I’m not writing for SirDoggie, you’ll find me hiking, playing with my beautiful dog, or studying music.