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Do Huskies Kill Cats? – Would They Really? (We Know)

This topic is sensitive but it’s important to talk about. Can huskies kill cats? The short answer is yes, they can. There have been cases where this has happened.

But it’s not fair to say all huskies will harm cats. Each husky is different. Some get along well with cats. Others might not.

This topic gets a lot of attention. Some stories make huskies look bad. But remember, each situation is unique.

So, if you have a husky and a cat, be careful. Always supervise their time together, especially at first. It’s better to be safe.

Can a Husky Kill a Cat?

Absolutely. The average husky has the physical ability, strength, and underlying prey drive to kill a cat.

Sadly, there have been many cases of huskies killing cats, and some consider the breed “known for it”.

Do All Huskies Try To Kill Cats?

No, not every husky would try to kill a cat should they come across one (even cats they don’t know).

Each husky, depending on their age, training, socialization level, and natural temperament, will react differently to cats.

Even though cats are different animals, if huskies are highly socialized and trained, there is still a chance that they will react positively to a cat (albeit unlikely).

Admittedly, A LOT has to go right for a positive reaction. From the way, they see each other to their immediate body language and their past experiences with other dogs and cats. I’m not sugar coating anything here.

Related: Can huskies get along with chickens?

What Is It About Cats That Trigger Huskies

The main issue with cats for huskies is their fast movement and the fact they are easily spooked.

When a cat runs fast, it can wake up a husky’s natural need to chase. This is known as “prey drive.” It’s hardwired in many dogs, not just huskies. Even a well-trained husky can feel this urge. It’s not something you can totally remove.

The act of darting away triggers a husky to chase, the act of chasing triggers predatory aggression, the chase leads to the desire to capture, which then leads to killing (and followed by eating, in the wild).

And what’s the first thing cats do when they see dogs? They dart away.

Huskies Can Be Raised With Cats

If a husky puppy is raised with a cat, then the chances of this relationship working out are significantly higher.

In many cases, you can nurture a positive relationship between a dog and any animal, if they are raised from puppyhood with it.

Young puppies aren’t killing anything, which is why during this time, you can really nurture a positive and friendly relationship between them.

Before the husky becomes a physical threat to the cat, they will already consider the cat to be a park of “the pack”.

Ideally, you would establish your cat as higher up in the family pack if you want your husky to truly respect it. Pack hierarchy is everything for dogs. I have a complete article on huskies and cats here.

Is It Advised For Huskies To Be Around Cats?

Although possible, the general advice would be to avoid trying this relationship. The risks are high, and it can take a long time to establish a trusting relationship.

Many owners have done it in the past, but a lot of consistent training and conscious effect would have been taken to get the husky and cat to respect each other.

Adult huskies will be a lot harder to come around than an 8-week-old husky puppy.

Should Huskies Be Labelled Cat Killers?

Many unfortunate owners have horrific stories of huskies killing cats, a ndwill feel like huskies are a cat-killing breed.

But to remain fair, we have to consider the flip side to this. There are undeniably many huskies living harmoniously with cats under the same roof.

  • After years of speaking with husky owners on this topic, there are more stories of huskies working out well with cats than killing them (when raised with them).

But as you can imagine, people don’t really post about those stories online. It’s only the negative ones we end up hearing about. Like with most things, it’s only when things go bad, that the news breaks.

Ultimately, this is a subjective question, and everyone can have their own take on it.

Disclaimer

The advice given in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice in any context. Before making any decisions that may affect the health and/or safety of your dog, you should always consult a trained veterinarian in your local area. For the FULL disclaimer Visit Here


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