Are Rottweilers Good with Cats?

The Short Answer is:

It is surprising how well Rottweilers do with cats compared to other guard dogs. In contrast to other breeds that are somewhat aggressive, Rottweilers are much easier to train and socialize, as well as having a bubbly personality.

In this article you will know the answer to the query “Are Rottweilers Good with Cats?“.

There are few animals more different than Rottweilers and cats. A Rottweiler is big slobbery and bold while a cat is small clean and careful. Despite these differences your Rottweiler will get along with your cat just fine. 

Are Rottweilers good with cats?  If they are acclimated properly and the cat has plenty of escape routes Rottweilers are good with cats. There is a better chance of a Rottweiler and cat relationship when the cat is confident and the Rottweiler does not have an excessive prey drive.

What you need to know about Rottweilers and cats how to train your Rottweiler to accept cats and what you should do if your Rottweiler has an exceptionally high prey drive. In addition I have included a few notes on how Rottweilers interact with other animals.

Why Rottweilers May Do Well With Cats

The following are some examples of cats and Rotties getting along well: 

Calm Inside

Its true that Rottweilers have plenty of energy when they’re playing or working but inside they tend to be quite calm. Typically Rottweilers like to laze around the house usually sprawled out on a cool floor. 

In other words the average Rottweiler and the average cat are on pretty much the same playing field. In many cases a Rottweiler and cat will spend a lot of time indoors laying around and taking it easy either together or separately.

Loyal to Family

They are very loyal to their family and like most dogs they are generally quite flexible about what kind of animals are included in their family. It is common for Rottweilers to show the same loyalty to the cat as they do to their human family members when they learn the cat is part of the family. There is a possibility that your Rottweiler not only gets along with your cat but actively protects them from danger.

Capable of Great Self-Control Through Training

You may be able to train your Rottweiler to resist chasing cats even if he feels the instinct to do so. It is possible to train Rottweilers to have wonderful self-control. 

Historically Rottweilers have been used for herding cart pulling and protection jobs that require self-control. It is necessary for Rottweilers to be amped up enough to direct angry cattle or frighten an assailant without actually biting them. Your Rottweiler can also resist negative urges towards your cat with the same self-control.

Deeply Affectionate

It is well known that Rottweilers love their families deeply. They are fairly affectionate dogs always seeking physical contact and expressing affection through behaviors such as licking. It is possible that your Rottweiler and your cat can develop a wonderful relationship if your Rottweiler also shows this kind of affection towards your cat. Cats and Rottweilers are often seen snuggling together grooming one another and being very affectionate towards one another.

Why Rottweilers May Not do Well With Cats

Big

It is not uncommon for Rottweilers to weigh over 100 pounds. There can be a substantial difference between a 10 or 15-pound house cat and a cat of this size. The cat may need to be fairly confident to tolerate a Rottweiler even if it is friendly. 

The size of a Rottweiler puppy at eight weeks of age is often comparable to that of a house cat. It can be difficult for cats to form a co-species friendship with Rottweilers due to their size.

Prey Drive

The Rottweilers herding instinct is based on prey drive like that of all herding breeds. As Rottweilers herd they may feel the urge to chase after the flock but they constantly control their impulses in order to guide the livestock without biting them. 

It is the prey drive at the heart of Rottweilers’ herding instincts that can result in aggression if untrained. The quick movements and high-pitched sounds made by cats can easily trigger a Rottweilers prey drive.

When your Rottweiler encounters your cat outside they may experience prey drive even if they get along inside or in an enclosed space. When Rottweilers catch up to the cat they’re chasing they sometimes recognize it but not always.

It can be devastating when a Rottweiler and cat who get along well inside have a negative interaction outside. In order to keep your Rottweiler from developing a prey drive it is important that you acclimate him both indoors and outdoors.

Won’t Back Down

A Rottweiler is a brave bold dog that has been bred for centuries not to back down from a fight. Although that makes them a great addition to humanity in many ways (including police work) it does not always allow them to get along with cats. 

The majority of the time cats do not seem to show much common sense when they initiate a fight. If your cat is annoyed with your Rottweiler frightened of them or wants to defend their territory he or she may bite or swat at it. 

Most Rottweilers respond as if being reprimanded by a family member and back off but some see this as an opportunity for a fight between equals. There is no doubt that the Rottweiler will win if it gets into a fight with your cat.

Mischievous

There are times when Rottweilers and cats do not get along because Rottweiler is a troublemaker. Rottweilers that do not receive enough engagement enrichment or exercise from their families may turn to the family cat for entertainment. When a Rottweiler behaves mischievously it is unlikely that your cat will be seriously harmed but they can certainly make life very unpleasant by constantly annoying and chasing it.

How to Train Your Rottweiler to Get Along With a Cat

Create a space exclusively for cats. You should always provide your cat with plenty of places to escape your Rottweiler. There are several things you can do to provide your cat with safe places to go that your Rottweiler cannot follow. These include cat trees small doggie doors and baby gates.

Separate and observe. Observe your Rottweiler and cat before allowing them to share a space. Separate them with a baby gate that your cat can not jump over. The Rottweiler should be stiff and staring at you and the cat should be showing signs of anxiety. You’re on the right track if both seem natural and relaxed.

Let the cat make the first move. You can allow your cat to enter the Rottweilers space freely if your Rottweiler and cat get along nicely on opposite sides of the baby gate. Ensure that your Rottweiler is leashed and that your cat is allowed in the area.

Leash supervision. During the early stages of acclimation keep your Rottweiler leashed regardless of how well they seem to get along. It is possible for a sudden movement from the cat to trigger your dogs prey to drive unexpectedly. The energy of your Rottie during this stage also needs to be managed. Before meeting the cat they should have had some physical or mental stimulation. Make sure you have a secure and sturdy collar for your Rottie in case they get a little excited. 

Unleashed supervision. It is possible to interact without the leash if your Rottweiler and cat have been getting along for some time even after your cat has run jumped and gone near your Rottweiler.

Co species living. Donot leave your Rottweiler alone with your cat if you want to be safe. There is always the risk of an altercation between them. It may be safe to let them be alone together if they are showing active socialization such as playing or being affectionate towards each other. It is never a good idea to leave your Rottweiler and cat alone even if they ignore each other.

Can You Get a Cat if Your Rottweiler Has High Prey Drive?

There may be some ways that you can get a cat if your Rottweiler has high prey drive because they’re always chasing anything that moves but you’d like to get one anyway. 

Rottweilers can acclimate to cats even if they have high prey drives but success depends largely on the cat. If a cat is confident and self-assured and does not run from a Rottweiler he or she may do well even if the Rottweiler has a high prey drive. 

Keep in mind however that if the cat runs or is in a new environment like outside the prey drive may take over. When acclimating your prey-driven Rottweiler to a cat go even slower with the steps and consider your Rottweilers needs.

Are Rottweilers Good With Other Animals?

The Rottweiler spends most of its life living closely with livestock since they are herding dogs. As long as the livestock obeys their commands Rottweilers often bond with the livestock they herd and protect. 

It is possible for Rottweilers to get along well with goats cattle sheep and other large animals. It can be more difficult to take care of smaller animals such as rabbits chickens and pet birds. 

Your Rottweiler might succumb to a strong prey drive response when you’re not watching when it comes to animals that do not respond socially like rabbits and chickens. Rottweilers may be able to form relationships with animals that respond socially to them like household birds in the same way a cat might. 

Whether your Rottweiler will get along with other animals depends on the level of the prey drive of your Rottweiler the behavior of the other animals and the environment in which you expect them to live.

Are Rottweilers Good With Other Dogs?

Even though Rottweilers were used for dogfighting at some points in their history they were never bred specifically for fighting. However this was never a breed designed to get along with other dogs well. 

A Rottweiler meeting a strange dog is usually in a situation where they need to chase it away from livestock or property. When your Rottweiler meets a strange dog they will likely respond with protection instincts similar to when they meet a stranger.

As long as they are properly acclimated however Rottweilers tend to get along well with other pets. If you want to set yourself up for success choose dogs of opposite genders since Rottweilers tend to be more aggressive toward dogs of their own gender.

Enjoy Your Rottweiler and Cat Relationship

The combination of Rottweilers and cats does not pose any problems for most people. It is not uncommon for Rottweilers to form strong relationships with cats. Theres a good chance that your Rottweiler and cat can get along with proper acclimation and training. 

Amanda (Author)

With over a decade of experience, Amanda is a distinguished dog trainer. Her expertise in canine behavior has transformed countless lives, fostering harmonious human-canine connections. Through compassionate and personalized approaches, she empowers owners to understand and connect with their furry companions, creating a legacy of joyful tails and transformed lives.

Osvaldo Maciel (Content Reviewer)

Osvaldo Maciel, a stalwart in the field with 14 years of experience, is a revered dog trainer. His journey is defined by a profound understanding of canine behavior, shaping unbreakable human-canine bonds. Osvaldo guides owners to connect with their beloved pets, leaving an indelible mark of happiness and transformation. His legacy shines through the countless lives he has touched.