Living with Small Animals & Other Pets — Safe Multi-Pet Households

Families that already have dogs or cats may want to welcome small animals, or conversely, families with small animals may want to welcome dogs or cats. While it is possible for different types of pets to live in the same household, housing animals that could become predators and prey requires careful attention and proper management.

What You Must Understand as a Prerequisite

The most important premise is that direct contact between dogs or cats and small animals is basically not recommended. You may see images on social media of dogs, cats, and rabbits huddled together peacefully, but these are exceptional cases, and it is dangerous to generalize them.

Dogs and cats instinctively recognize small animals as prey. No matter how docile a dog or cat may be, there is always a possibility that their hunting instinct will activate the moment a small animal moves quickly. Always keep in mind that an irreversible situation can occur in a split second.

The goal of cohabitation is not "to make them get along" but "to make them coexist safely."

Dogs and Small Animals Living Together

Dogs' hunting instincts vary greatly depending on breed.

High-risk dog breeds: Terrier types (Jack Russell Terriers, Yorkshire Terriers, etc.) were bred specifically to hunt small pests and have very strong reactions to small animals. Dachshunds were also bred for badger hunting and tend to have high interest in burrowing animals. Sighthounds like Greyhounds and Whippets also react strongly to moving small animals.

Medium-risk dog breeds: Many medium to large breeds can coexist with small animals with proper training, but caution is essential. Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers are relatively gentle, but their strength when excited poses a risk of accidental accidents.

Relatively low-risk dog breeds: Toy breeds such as Maltese, Shih Tzus, and Pugs tend to have lower hunting instincts, but individual differences exist, so overconfidence is not advisable.

Dog training: It is important to reliably teach commands such as "leave it" and "gentle." Aim for your dog to remain calm in front of the small animal's cage, and maintain distance immediately if excitement occurs.