Hi Everyone,
Don't yet have a Husky, but am doing all my homework and research. This site has been very helpful. Still debating whether to get one from the shelter or go with a breeder. My question to all you experienced Husky owners is regarding cats and Huskies. We have a 6 year old cat. I have passed on 2 different shelter Huskies as the shelter couldn't guarantee they wouldn't be aggressive with a cat (they actually wouldn't adopt them out to people with cats). I have also heard horror stories of owners coming home to their cat in shreds. Then you see the adorable YouTube videos of Huskies with cats. What has been your experience with Huskies and cats?

Hi Betty and welcome to the forum!

My recommendation with cats is 100% to get a puppy. Finding a shelter dog that has been socialized with cats is VERY hard and honestly, I wouldn't trust it. I'm normally all for adoption as we rescued both our babies, but when it comes to cats, you can't be too careful. These dogs NEED to be socialized with cats as a very young pup or they won't see them as a part of the pack.

John actually really wants cats and we were hoping to be able to have them someday, but not with our two. They chase his parents cat around the house if they break through the gates and doors. We've actually said that the ONLY time that we'd ever consent to buying a puppy would be if both ours were gone and we wanted to get cats someday.

Hope this helps! And kudos for doing research before getting your pup I love to see that around here.

Welcome Betty and kudos to you for taking your time and going about this the right way!

Your chances of having a husky that gets along with cats and small animals is definitely higher when you raise a puppy with them but there are huskies in shelters and rescues that can get along with them too. It may take a little longer to find one that will live in harmony with cats/small animals in a shelter/rescue but it is possible and can be worth the wait.

I am a huge fan of adopting so if it were me then I'd take my time and at least try to find one in a shelter or rescue as a first option. If, after quite a while of trying to find one in a shelter/rescue (a while for me would be at least a few months), I was unable to find one then I would turn to a truly ethical and reputable breeder as an alternative. HOWEVER please be advised that while your chances of them getting along with cats when they are raised in the same house are greater, there is still no guarantee! So please keep that in mind!

It is possible to find sibes in shelters/rescue that get along with cats. My sibe is living proof of that. We adopted our husky from a kill shelter that had no history on him since he was brought in as a stray. We had no idea if he'd do well with cats and small animals but we adopted him anyway and were really lucky. Our boy does so well with cats and small animals! He tolerates cats in the house but outside they are fair game as far as he in concerned. We also have 3 guinea pigs and he does fantastic with them as well. Not only that but we have 2 Chihuahuas that he also gets along with very well. He does have a high prey drive so he is never left unsupervised with any of the cats, small dogs or guinea pigs for safety reasons but under close supervision he gets along with everyone just fine. It is possible!

Huskyluv wrote:

I am a huge fan of adopting so if it were me then I'd take my time and at least try to find one in a shelter or rescue as a first option. If, after quite a while of trying to find one in a shelter/rescue (a while for me would be at least a few months), I was unable to find one then I would turn to a truly ethical and reputable breeder as an alternative. HOWEVER please be advised that while your chances of them getting along with cats when they are raised in the same house are greater, there is still no guarantee! So please keep that in mind!

Well put, Val and I can 100% agree with that

I do forget that your Dakota gets along with your cat! I know you have guinea pigs too, but they're caged, so I tend not to think about them as much

If you have some time, waiting and searching for the right rescue is so rewarding, but I would get impatient after a few months too. If you do decide to go through a breeder, and have questions on how to make sure the one you find is a reputable one, we can start a thread on how to find a reputable breeder Don't think we have one of those yet.