My Dog Keeps Chasing My Cat—What Can I Do?
Prevent another chase by separating your dog and cat whenever you cannot actively supervise them. Give your cat a dog-free room with hiding places, elevated resting spots, food, water, and a litter box. Then rebuild shared time gradually: keep your dog leashed behind a barrier at first, and reward calm behavior while the cat moves. If either animal shows discomfort, interrupt the session and separate them.
Prevent another chase
Separate when unsupervised. Use a closed door or another secure barrier whenever you are away or cannot closely watch both animals. Repeated chasing can injure a cat; even familiar animals are not necessarily safe together without supervision. Dogs with a history of chasing and catching small animals may never be safe around cats, so maintain separation if that history applies or you are unsure of the risk. Veterinary guidance on dog-cat interactions supports supervised sessions and separation when supervision is not possible.
Protect the cat’s access and retreat. Keep the cat’s essentials and resting places in a dog-free area. Make sure the cat can hide and reach elevated places without passing the dog. This gives the cat a way to retreat rather than having to confront or run past the dog.
Rebuild calm shared time
Start with brief, controlled sessions only when you can manage both animals. Keep the dog on leash and use a barrier so the cat can choose distance or leave. Reward the dog for settling and remaining calm as the cat moves. Reward-based training and management are recommended approaches for changing dog behavior; avoid punishing the dog for chasing, which can add stress without teaching the calm response you want. AVSAB’s position on humane dog training explains these methods.
Advance only while both animals appear calm. If the dog lunges, stiffens, or fixes on the cat, or the cat hisses or appears distressed, distract the dog if you can do so safely and separate them. Give them more distance and return to an easier, controlled setup rather than continuing the encounter. For a gradual reintroduction framework, see how to introduce a new pet.
Do not use a fixed calendar to decide when to reduce barriers. Keep supervising shared time, and separate them whenever you cannot actively watch. If the dog is difficult to interrupt, has chased and caught small animals, or you are uncertain whether the cat is safe, keep them apart and seek help from your veterinarian or a veterinary behaviorist.
FAQs
Should I let my dog and cat interact when I’m not home?
No. Keep them securely separated whenever you cannot actively supervise them.
What should I do if my dog lunges or fixates on my cat during practice?
Interrupt the session and separate them rather than continuing the encounter. Give them more distance and try again only in an easier, controlled setup.
When should I get professional help for my dog chasing my cat?
Keep the animals apart and seek help from your veterinarian or a veterinary behaviorist if your dog is difficult to interrupt, has chased and caught small animals, or you are unsure whether your cat is safe.
