Most canine breeds coexist with cats, but what about Border collies and cats – are they good with cats? Many pet owners are on the fence about adopting a Border collie when there is a cat in the house, and vice versa.
Dog ownership is not all about rainbows and sunshine, especially if you have a whip-smart Border collie. The smartest dog breed comes along with a range of considerations, including what other fluffy cuties you can add to your circle. On the bright side, I have seen many instances where Border collies and cats get along well in their homes.
So, how do Border collies and cats coexist in your home? Curious to know as well, I conducted some research and asked pet parents around. One thing is for sure – this harmonious relationship cannot materialize on its own.
Why Does My Border Collies Stare at My Cat?
If some canine breeds have a “locking jaw,” the Border collie has a “locking stare.” Unfortunately, this signature glare is one of the things that set Border collies and cats at odds.
Cat fixation is a common problem in dogs, but it tends to be worse with Border Collies, as these canines were bred purposefully to manage livestock by staring. The stare is so sinister that it can actually intimidate a stubborn cow or sway chickens to march right back to their coop.
As you may already know, the Border collie is the world’s premier herding breed, and he loves to work above anything else. If you do not find a way to scratch your collie’s itch to work, he will see your cat and other smaller pets as creatures under his care. As such, your collie will herd them, and giving the eye is just part of the process.
Now, how would you feel if someone was following you and watching your every move? Sure, staring down won’t injure a cat, but it causes the recipient stress that can manifest in physical ways. In fact, pet parents have reported that this behavior has driven their cats into hiding and refuse to eat their meals.
If a cat runs after intense eye contact, the collie will chase after him. You wouldn’t be as concerned if it were just chasing. However, cats have razor-sharp claws, and they will put up a fight when cornered.
When that happens, you cannot expect your pooch just to stick his tongue out.
How Do You Introduce a Border Collie to a Cat?
As the adage goes, “first impression lasts,” and it holds true even for our pets. So, as much as possible, there should be no mishap during the introduction.
Border Collie Pups are the Easiest to Train
The easiest way for Border collies and cats to live harmoniously together is to adopt a puppy, preferably younger than 12 weeks old. Puppies raised with cats are less likely to exhibit predatory aggression towards them when they become full-grown adults. Pupper will see the cats as pack members to protect, instead of livestock to herd.
Encourage your little collie to interact with the feline member of the household, but be sure to supervise playtime. Nibbling is one of the many ways dogs play, but you do not want to tolerate this behavior around cats. Your pup might not control his bite and injure the unsuspecting feline.
Likewise, a kitty might inflict trauma upon the pup out of fear or curiosity. Therefore, you need to be on hand so that you react to any unfavorable situation and be sure to reward your pets for every positive behavior.
Adopting an Adult Border Collie has its Challenges
An adult Border collie from a rescue or shelter can be more challenging to introduce and train around cats. But if you have the patience and commitment, it is not impossible to reform your pooch.
Tip #1: Isolate Border Collie from Cats
It is wise to install a pet gate before you bring your Border collie home. The gate will prevent your dog from charging at your cat. Likewise, it teaches him that the cat is here to stay, rather than an intruder he needs to chase away.
An excellent example is the Carlson Expandable Walk-Through Pet Gate with a Small Pet Door. The barrier is durable and secure, and it allows small pets to pass through.
Tip #2: Introduce Your Border Collie by Sound and Scent
Despite having a pet gate, you should not allow Border collies and cats to meet for at least three days, if not a full week. An excellent strategy to help your pets acclimate each other’s scents is to exchange their toys, blankets, and beds at least twice a day.
While your Border collie could not see his feline sibling, his smell and movements will let him know that he is there.
Tip #3: Brush Up on Recall Skills and Basic Commands
You want to make sure that Doggo will return to you regardless of what he is doing. Otherwise, it would be impossible to snap him back out of his predatory state.
Tip #4: Facilitate Meet & Greet Using the Pet Gate
Introduce your pets face-to-face and have them watch each other move around. React with a firm “NO” if Doggo gets too excited. Better yet, take him by the leash and remove him from the room until he cools off. If he remains calm, reward your canine buddy with praises and high-value treats, such as Blue Wilderness Trail Treats.
Repeat this process for a week until both parties feel more settled. However, you should not remove the barriers until your pup becomes less interested in your cat.
Tip #5: Give Your Border Collie a Purpose
Border collies do not necessarily have to be employed in farms, but you should always give this work-driven canine a job to keep him pumped up. Make him your jogging partner or train him to become an athlete. Anything that will make him feel useful will do.
A Border collie is also an excellent playmate to older kids. Consider getting the Kannon K2 Ball Launcher to get your hyperactive Border collie jumping and fetching.
With the help of your kids, he can channel his energy into something more productive. Soon, Doggo will be satisfied with his new job description, and he will not pay as much attention to cats anymore.
Tip #6: Evaluate Your Cat’s Behavior
Are you sure that it is not your cat who is initiating the confrontations? Many pet owners are quick to judge that Border collies are the problem, but it can also be the cat. Some cats prefer to be left alone and show little tolerance for other pets.
So, don’t force the two to become buddies if you have a hostile feline. There should be no problem as long as your Border collie finds him uninteresting. On the other hand, a playful kitty who likes being chased and loves to razz your dog could be a suitable playmate.
Tip #8 Consider Using an E-Collar
If all else fails, you might want to train your collie using the Mini Educator E-Collar. Contrary to popular belief, an e-collar is a safe and efficient tool. In fact, dog trainers use this tool to stamp out the predatory drive in aggressive breeds. There are varying levels of stimulation to choose from so that you can find the right correction to deter negative or unsafe behavior.
Many people might still be on the fence about this method of training. However, I would rather choose the lesser evil than have my dog maim another family member or risk him being put down or rehomed.
Can Herding Dogs Live with Cats?
Predatory aggression in dogs causes the most difficulty when it comes to peaceful interspecies relationships. Although the Border collie is not an aggressive breed, he has been bred to inherit the first few steps of the wolf’s Predatory Sequence – Eye, Orient, Stalk, and Chase. Fortunately, Grab/Bite, Kill, Dissect, and Consume have already been bred out.
Regardless, a Border collie may still attempt to gather indoor cats and other smaller pets to exercise his deep innate need. An indication of this is when he is surrounding a cat with his almost hypnotic stare. That is why it is crucial to divert your collie’s attention to other things other than herding.
Also, it helps to provide your cat with a high place to run to. Cats love heights, and they feel secure when they are up above. A fabulous example is this 63-inch kitty condo by Furhaven, which offers both entertainment and sleeping areas.
Conclusion
A Border collie is an avid herder, and so, he may stare at your cat as part of his instinctual herding behavior. He might also follow your kitty around the house, prevent him from entering certain places, and keep him in his line of sight all the time. Although your collie may not mean harm to your kitty, the latter may act aggressively out of fear or confusion.
Likewise, a cat who tries to escape will only trigger the Border collie to run after him. Worst case scenario, your Border collie will bite your cat in an attempt to stop him from fleeing. Hence, it would be best if you taught your Border collie that supervising the whiskered creature is not his job.
On the bright side, Border collies and cats can get along exceptionally well when raised together. Kittens are energetic and playful, both of which are qualities any Border collie will appreciate.