Are Australian Terriers good with cats?

Yes, Australian Terriers can be good with cats. Even though they were bred to chase and kill small animals such as rodents, this breed’s small size means most adult cats aren’t a trigger for their prey drive. Instead, they’re not a good choice for homes with pet rats, rabbits, or guinea pigs. 

Some Australian Terriers can be motivated to chase the household cat for fun, though, so teaching and rewarding calm and polite behavior around kitties is crucial. Early socialization around cats from a young age is the best bet for ensuring your Australian Terrier develops good social skills with their feline counterparts.

If you plan on adopting an adult Australian Terrier, it’s best to introduce them to your household kitty prior to adoption if possible to make sure they don’t exhibit a high prey drive towards the cat. Keeping your newly adopted buddy on a leash around the cat for the first few days or weeks while rewarding calm behavior with treats can help ensure a harmonious relationship. To make sure your cat feels safe and comfortable, provide them with plenty of high perches they can retreat to.