Are Yorkies Good with Cats?

There are cat people as well as dog people, but what about those who like both? Do Yorkies get along with cats, or are these two pets eternal enemies? Have confidence; dogs and cats can become the best of friends or at least learn to co-exist peacefully. If you have one of these in your home and are aiming to add the other, then nothing should really stand in your way. Of course, you will need to select ideal breeds that will end up in a harmonious relationship.

That said, Yorkshire terriers, also known as Yorkies, like most terrier breeds, may chase your cat since they consider it prey. This behavior is instinctive, so the Yorkies simply can’t help. The good news is that, with a bit of socialization and training, your Yorkie and cat will eventually get along well. This guide discusses:

• What you need to know about cats and Yorkies
• Introducing Yorkies and cats
• Are Yorkies aggressive toward cats?
• Tips for helping them get along

What You Need to Know About Cats and Yorkies

The fact that dogs and cats are both pets does not make them similar at all. Each of these species has its own defining personality. Here is what you need to know about Yorkshire terriers and cats.

Yorkies

• They are very courageous and confident, two abilities that enable them to survive anywhere, including in big cities and foreign places.
• Thanks to their small size, Yorkies have the ability to get away with lots of things that many larger dog breeds can’t. For instance, a Yorkie can jump on you or your favorite furniture piece.
• Because of their friendly and compassionate nature, they are ideal for therapy purposes.
• Their flexibility, speed, and agility are excellent. This enables them to perform better at dog sports.
• Yorkies tend to be very alert and can sense the presence of a stranger at the earliest time possible. Typically, they will bark to announce the arrival of a stranger.

Cats

• Cats can be mischievous and can do more harm than good. For instance, if you find a broken plate in your kitchen, you may not need to investigate to know the culprit. Additionally, they can claw at virtually any soft surface, including sofas, causing ruin.
• They take territorial issues very seriously. Cats don’t like seeing another cat around, especially in their territory. That’s why you will rarely find two cats in the same home; they simply don’t see eye to eye.
• Cats are very sneaky, especially when they so badly need something. They will always go for it no matter the obstacles.
• They can climb all over the place when they get hyperactive, turning the who place messy.
• Cats have a high sense of curiosity. They love exploring new places, and that’s why you may find them in unimaginable locations. You have probably heard that “curiosity killed the cat,” yes, they are very curious.

Introducing Yorkies and Cats

If you’re thinking of introducing your Yorkie and cat to each other, you will need to follow some crucial steps. The key to ensuring the relationship works is to ensure you raise your pets in a loving and positive environment.

Consider the Personalities of Both

The breed is an important factor to consider when introducing Yorkies and cats, but the pets’ personalities are equally important. If you’re looking to bring home an older Yorkie, it is advisable to know its past; talk to the owner to find out. What is its relationship with kids or other pets, for example? Cats are quite territorial, so they may not like another pet in their space. If your pets’ personalities are not in sync, you may consider keeping them separately for some time as you work out how to fix the relationship.

Give Your Cat a Safe Space

Naturally, cats need a comfortable and safe space. A high-up place is preferred to keep their eye on the surroundings better. You could invest in a cat condo or tree cat so it can easily climb up when in need of safety.

Give Your Yorkie a Training

Like most pets, your Yorkie can be trained to get along with your cat. For instance, before bringing home a cat, you may take your Yorkie out to a social place to meet cats. You may also visit your neighbor or friend who has cats. Be sure to supervise the socialization and teach your Yorkie simple commands such as “drop it” and “stop it!”. Through training, your dog will tone down its predatory behavior.

Allow Them to Sniff Each Other’s Bedding

It doesn’t matter which one you want to bring home first, it is advisable to allow either pet to sniff the other’s sleeping area. This helps them to familiarize themselves with each other’s scent.

Introduce Your Pets During Mealtime

Give each pet its food and put a barrier between them. While they will be able to smell each other, they won’t be able to see each other. They may also associate the scent of the food with the scent of each another.

Are Yorkies Aggressive Toward Cats?

Yorkies are known to be territorial, loyal, curious, alert, protective, and affectionate dogs. They are full of personality even in their small persona, and they never shy away from showing it. As a result, if you don’t properly train your Yorkie to socialize with cats or any other pets, it can stalk, chase, bark, or even bite them.

If your Yorkie continues to display aggressive behavior towards your cat despite proper socialization and training, you want to enlist the services of a canine behaviorist or a vet. Alternatively, you can relocate one of your pets rather than forcing them to bond, which may only translate to increased fights and injuries.

Tips for Helping Them Get Along

While socializing your Yorkie and cat may not be a difficult task, you may need to be involved more for the relationship to go according to plan. Here are some tips you can apply to help them along easily.

Introduce Them When Young

Puppies and kittens tend to get along very well, so socializing your pets while they are still young is perhaps the best approach. This ensures they grow up accustomed to each other, knowing that they are members of one home. So you won’t experience aggression between them.

Be Slow in Socializing Them

If you have a cat in your home, don’t just wake up one day and decide to bring in a Yorkie. This may only breed hostility. Letting both of them sniff each other’s bedding without coming into physical contact can be a good starting point.

Understand That They Need Equal Attention

Pets, like human beings, can be jealous of one another. This jealousy can occur if you give one pet more attention than the other. With one of them feeling threatened, the relationship may turn out to be hostile, robbing you of a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the company of both pets.

Conclusion

Are Yorkies good with cats? Well, the answer is yes and no. That’s because it depends on several factors, including the pets’ age, history, and personalities. Training and socializing your Yorkie with a cat at an early age presents a good chance for them to get along with each other. How good you are at training your pets to get along with each other is also an important determinant factor that could make or break the partnership.