Are Springer Spaniels Good with Cats? + Top Tips to Help

You will struggle to find a person who has not heard the phrase "fighting like cats and dogs".

But is there any truth to this common saying? Well, in this article that is exactly what we will be discussing.

If you have a Springer Spaniel and you are considering adding a cat to your family you'll want to know how well they will integrate into your family. I'll be covering everything you need to know about it along with some helpful tips on how to make it go smoothly.

Ready to learn how to add a cat to your family in without any dog/cat troubles? Keep reading!

Do Springer Spaniels Get Along with Cats?

Yes, Springer Spaniels can get along well with cats in most cases.

This unlikely friendship can blossom into a great relationship if you are patient and careful about how you bring your Springer and cat together.

To further back up this claim there is actually data from Statista that shows 14% of households have both cats and dogs. While this data is referring to all dog breeds it's fair to say that the common maxim that suggests they can't get along is actually false.

This means it's definitely possible for Springer Spaniels to get along with cats. There is a bit more to it than that though, but we will get into that later on.

How to Introduce your Springer Spaniel to a Cat

How your introduce your new cat to your Springer will matter. If you get this wrong it can set the tone of your pets relationship for many years to come.

There is a right way to introduce your furry friends though and that is what we will be getting into right now.

Step 1: Preparation

There is a little prep work you will need to do before your Springer Spaniel lays eyes on their new family member.

The first thing you will want to do is begin to get your dog accustomed to the cats scent. This can be done by letting the new kitten walk around the house for a couple of hours while the dog is out.

This may not always be possible but it could help your dog get used to the new their new companion. You could also just a blanket from the cats bed into your house in advance.

Next choose the room where the cat and dog will meet for the first time. There are a few considerations here:

Have a safe place for the cat and dog to retreat to where they won't feel threatened. For the cat a cat tree would be ideal and for your Springer Spaniel their bed or crate would work well.

You will also want to have tired your Springer Spaniel out before the meet as they will be more likely to be more relaxed. This is especially important if you are introducing a kitten who will be more playful than an adult cat so more likely to hype up your dog.

Step 2: The Meet

You may want to delay their first meeting for the first few days. This will help both the cat and dog get used to each other a little even before meeting.

The meet itself should be in a room set up as described above with a place for both animals to escape if needed. Keep your dog on a lead just in case they don't respond well or get too excited, you don't want your home to be destroyed.

Let your pets go together themselves at their own pace. There will be some curiosity at the start but it may take some time before they come together.

If you have a baby gate you could also let your dog sit freely on the other side and you cat on the other. Even if the cat is bold enough to come across they'll be able to jump back if they feel uncomfortable.

Do not force them to interact. If they don't come together on the first time that is okay, just separate them and try again another day.

Step 3: Managing Interactions

Even if that first meet goes brilliantly you will want to monitor your Springer Spaniels and cats interactions for the next several weeks.

You can allow your animals to interact without constrictions but be on hand to intervene if things look a like they are getting out of control. Making sure there are high places for the cat to escape your dog will help too.

Never leave your English Springer Spaniel alone with the cat until you are completely comfortable that they are okay with each other.

This can take days, months, or even in some cases they may never fully relax around each other. Your cat and dog being best friends is great, but just being able to tolerate each other.

Co-existing without drama is a win too!

What Can Affect How Well Cats and Dogs Get Along?

I did mention earlier that cats and Springer Spaniels will get along well in most cases. Let me just go a little deeper into which factors could play a role here.

Past Experiences

This one applies to both your Springer Spaniel and the cat unless you are getting a kitten. They will not be coming into this with any negative prior experiences.

Perhaps your Springer has had a bad run-in with a cat in the past and is a bit apprehensive when they see one nowadays. If this is the case it may take a bit longer before your dog relaxes around the cat.

This is actually quite interesting too as most dogs are such gentle souls and completely harmless. However, I've seen more than a few cats who are just looking for trouble!

It can also apply the other way around too though. If you are rescuing a cat or bringing an adult into your home they may have had bad experiences with dogs in the past which will also play a role in the relationship they have.

Your Dog Just Doesn't Like Cats

It could also be the case that your English Springer Spaniel just doesn't like cats. No real reason for it that you can tie to an experience they've had.

They may growl or even try to pounce or pull on the lead if they see one on a walk. Part of this could be that Springer Spaniels have a high prey drive.

Each dog will be different and have its own quirks.

Knowing the extent of your dog's behaviour will help you determine if a cat in your home is actually viable.

Age

A English Springer Spaniel puppy and a kitten will be far more open to change, playful, curious and often socialise better with other animals. They don't yet know what normal looks like so if possible it would be best if they grew up together. This way they would be used to each other from the start.

What happens more often is someone gets one animal and then decides to get a second one. In this case, if you have an adult Springer Spaniel they may resist change a little bit as that cat is coming into their home.

This is not to say that adult Springer Spaniels won't get along with cats, just that they may be set in their ways a little.

Not Introduced Properly

If you've not followed the steps above on how to introduce a Springer Spaniel and cat the right way and just put them both in a room together with nowhere to go you can't be too shocked if it doesn't go well.

I'm sure you can picture the chaos that may occur during this first forced meeting. Who knows, it may be the case that it all goes well. But it's far more likely to damage the odds of your cat and dog having a good relationship.

Tips for Having a Springer Spaniel and a Cat

Now that you know how to introduce your pet dog to the new family member the focus moves to how you manage their interactions moving forward. Here are a few tips on how to increase your chances these guys become good friends.

Keep their Food Separate

English Springer Spaniels love food and will happily eat the cats dinner too without hesitation. For this reason you will want to keep your cat an dogs food separate. You can even feed them at different times to avoid any situations arising.

Cats can also be curious about your dogs food and approach the bowl for a little taste. This could be disastrous if your dog has a food aggression or resource guarding problem. Some dogs are very protective of their food!

Place the Cat Litter Somewhere the Dog Can't Get It

The English Springer Spaniel is a curious breed. They are highly intelligent and will get into just about anything.

Unfortunately, this includes cat litter.

You'll want to place the cat litter in a location where the dog can't get to it. They will certainly be drawn by the smell of it and may even try to bother the cat when they are doing their business. Something that will only lead to frustration on the cats behalf.

Conclusion

So, are Springer Spaniels good with cats?

Yes, if you take your time when planning how their first meeting and let the relationship at their pace.

Even though they were bred as hunting dogs and do have a strong prey drive they can become friends with their new feline family member over time.

Remember, it's ideal if they are best friends, however, really you just want a drama-free household. Even if they just ignore each other that is still a win.

Kittens and puppies will have more chance of getting along well from the start. Their curious and playful nature will help a lot here. An older dog will still do well but they need a bit more patience from you to accept this other animal in most cases.

Both cats and dogs make good companions and having both of these energetic animals can bring an exciting edge to your life.