Yorkies And Cats: All you need to know

Posted by

yorkie

September 28, 2025

On June 23, 2020

Many families enjoy both dogs and cats, but you might wonder if Yorkies and cats can really be friends. In general, small dog breeds and cats often can live together peacefully with the right introductions. Yorkshire Terriers are tiny (usually 3–7 lbs) and not particularly aggressive hunters, so size-wise they’re similar to many housecats. The good news is that “size is a plus” – a Yorkie and an average cat are comparable in size, which often helps them accept one another. Yorkies were bred as ratters, but most don’t have a strong instinct to chase cats. With patience and gentle socialization, most Yorkies do learn to tolerate or even like cats, and pet compatibility between a Yorkie and a kitty can work out beautifully.

Many Yorkie owners report that their little dogs get along fine with cats. Key factors are early exposure and personalities: a confident, curious Yorkie may become fast friends with a mellow cat, while a nervous dog or a very territorial cat might need a slower introduction. In any case, introducing dogs and cats safely is important. By following step-by-step introductions (see below) and paying attention to both pets’ signals, you can create a home where “do Yorkies like cats?” isn’t a concern – they simply learn to live together.

Table of Contents

Key Traits of Yorkies Around Cats

Yorkshire Terriers are bold, curious little dogs. They often act like “big dogs in a small body,” eager to explore and protect their home. As a result, Yorkies can be enthusiastic about meeting new roommates – but their boldness can also mean they get excited or bark easily. Yorkies are known as affectionate “velcro dogs” who bond closely with their people. This means a Yorkie may view your cat as part of your family pack, which can be good (friendship) or bad (jealousy or protecting you). Since Yorkies can show behavior problems, it’s important to keep in mind the following.

Here are some Yorkie traits that influence how they behave around cats:

Size and Build: Yorkies are tiny and delicate. Their small size can make cats seem like equals. However, a very rambunctious Yorkie might accidentally roughhouse with a cat. Always monitor interactions.
Energy and Curiosity: Yorkies are energetic and smart. They’ll likely chase a moving toy or play bow, and a darting kitten can trigger their prey drive. Fortunately, Yorkie prey drive rarely extends to cats in practice. Even though terriers were bred to hunt, most Yorkies will ignore a calm cat after a quick sniff.
Vocal Nature: Yorkies are famous barkers. A cat stretching or walking by might get a “yip” or two at first. Training a “quiet” cue and plenty of socialization can help your Yorkie see a cat as nothing to bark at.
Personality (“Big Attitude”): They’re spirited and friendly by nature. In fact, Yorkies are “friendly and spirited, not aggressive by nature”. But if they feel threatened (or excitement gets the better of them), they might growl or nip. Early training and positive experiences with cats can teach a Yorkie to respect a feline’s boundaries.
Anxiety and Attachment: Yorkies can be anxious “Velcro dogs” who worry when you leave them. This isn’t directly about cats, but it means a stressed Yorkie might be more reactive to another pet. Giving both pets secure spaces (like crates or beds) and avoiding too much close contact too soon will help reduce stress. (For example, a Calming Yorkie Pillow from is designed to provide a cozy “den” where your dog can feel safe.)
Awareness of Cat Signals: Unlike a large breed that might be intimidated by a cat, Yorkies often see a cat as a smaller animal. Still, they should learn the difference between a play chase and aggression. If a Yorkie sees a cat hissing or puffing up, most will back off once they understand “cat means stay away.”

Yorkies can be playful and friendly with cats if properly socialized, but they do require supervision. Use the Yorkie’s confidence and intelligence to your advantage: teach them calm behaviors (sit, watch) around the cat, reward peaceful interaction, and give both pets private retreats when they need a break.

Best Age to Introduce Your Yorkie to a Cat

Getting your pets to meet at the right age can make introductions much easier. In general, younger is better. Ideally, introduce a Yorkie puppy and a kitten, so they grow up together. According to pet experts, a kitten between about 8 and 12 weeks old is ideal for introducing to a dog.

At that age, kittens are highly adaptable and still learning social cues, so they tend to be more open to new animal friends. According to statistics, the best age to introduce these two fellows is between eight and twelve weeks. Early development is a key time for social bonds.

If your Yorkie is a puppy, try to wait until after his vaccinations (around 8+ weeks) before bringing the kitten home. Raising them together as babies will foster a fast friendship. Likewise, if you have a kitten first, introducing a Yorkie puppy will generally go smoothly.

That said, you can introduce older pets too—it just takes more patience. A teenager Yorkie (or an adult) can learn to accept a cat, and an adult cat can tolerate a Yorkie, but you must take it very slowly. For example, if you bring a Yorkie puppy into a home with older cats (or vice versa), expect them to need weeks or even months to become comfortable with each other. Keep initial meetings very controlled and give them each plenty of space (see step-by-step below).

In case your dog is an adult, then you definitely need to introduce them gradually. Read the following lines and find our how you can do it.

Step-by-Step: Introducing Your Yorkie to a Cat

Introducing your Yorkshire Terrier to a cat should be done slowly and carefully. Here’s a step-by-step plan to help them become friends over time. You can think of this as a checklist for the first few days or weeks:

Prepare separate “safe zones”

Before any meeting, set up each pet’s own area. This could be separate rooms or sections of a room divided by a pet gate or closed door. Make sure each has its bed, water, food bowl, and toys. Crate training can help here: many Yorkies learn to view a crate as a cozy “den”.

Exchange scents before face-to-face

Help them get used to each other’s smell before any meeting. You can swap bedding or gently rub a cloth on one pet and place it near the other. Also, spend time near the closed doors of each other’s spaces so they can sniff and hear one another.

This teaches them that “other animal in the house = no big deal.” In some cases you can also feed them on opposite sides of a closed door. This creates a positive association.

Keep interactions smell-based until both pets seem calm and curious rather than anxious or aggressive.

Exercise and feed them first

A tired pet is a calmer pet. Before the first meeting, take your Yorkie for a brisk walk or play fetch to burn off extra energy. Give both pets a chance to eat or play in their separate areas so they’re content and not guarding food. This reduces resource-guarding and lowers excitement levels. Feeding and tiring out both pets before any meeting can help them feel more relaxed.

Start with a barrier

For the first visual introductions, use a sturdy baby gate or pet playpen. Put the kitten (or cat) in one area and the Yorkie in the adjacent area so they can see each other without contact. A peephole or slightly open door can also work. Let them observe and sniff from a distance. Keep these sessions very short (a few minutes) at first.

If the Yorkie gets too fixated or barks, distract and calm him immediately. Over time, reward calm behavior with treats. You should praise your Yorkie for looking at the cat and then back at you instead of lunging. If either pet seems stressed and they growl, hiss or wiper, end the session and try again later.

Face-to-face introduction on leash

When both animals have stayed calm seeing each other behind a barrier, you can try an actual meeting. Put your Yorkie on a loose leash or harness (so you can gently hold him back if needed). Have someone else nearby to hold or guide the cat if possible, or just allow the cat freedom to approach on her own. Follow these guidelines for the first real meeting:

Choose a quiet room with no hiding spots. Keep the Yorkie on leash and the cat free to move and leave (perch on furniture or run off).
Watch body language closely. A relaxed, loose dog tail is good. If your Yorkie stiffens, raises his hackles, lets out a low growl or intense stare, that’s a warning sign. Stop the interaction if you see any of these.
If the Yorkie stays calm (and especially if he sits or lies down on command), praise him lavishly and give treats for ignoring the cat. One recommended approach is from Oakland Animal Services: “If the dog is calm around the cat, ask the dog to sit (or lie down) and stay while the cat moves about freely… Praise and reward the dog for ignoring the cat.
If your Yorkie becomes too excited (whining, lunging, barking), calmly end the visit and try again later from farther apart. Never force them nose-to-nose. Each session should end while they’re doing well, so the last memory is positive.

Repeat and gradually increase freedom. Over the next days or weeks, have multiple short meetings like the above. Slowly increase their time together as long as both remain relaxed. Keep these sessions calm – no chasing or rough play yet. You can use interactive toys to distract your Yorkie during visits (for example, give him a chew or a Slow Feeder Puzzle toy so he focuses on that instead of the cat). The goal is for each to realize “the other one isn’t bad.” Stay by their side and use treats to reward any friendly or indifferent behavior. If your Yorkie ever shows signs of aggression (stiff body, growling, snapping), go back a step and slow down.
Supervise always at first. Until you are 100% confident they trust each other, never leave your Yorkie and cat alone together unsupervised. Even playful dogs can accidentally injure a cat. Use baby gates or closed doors when you’re out or sleeping. Provide each pet with high perches or gated rooms (cats love high shelves), so they can escape or observe from a safe distance if needed.
- Tip: Crate or Carrier as a Safe Spot – If your Yorkie crate-trained happily, his crate is a great refuge when he needs space. You can also use the Expandable Yorkie Carrier from in the home (it zips open to create a little house) or on the go. Place the Calming Yorkie Pillow inside for extra comfort. For the cat, high beds or cat trees give a place to retreat.

With patience, positive reinforcement, and attention to body language, your Yorkie and cat should gradually learn to coexist. Even if they don’t become best pals who cuddle all day, the goal is calm tolerance and safety.

Signs a Yorkie Might Be Aggressive Toward the Cat

When introducing a Yorkie and a cat, watch your dog’s body language closely. Here are some red flags that mean it’s time to halt the meeting and give them more space:

Stiff, Rigid Posture: If your Yorkie suddenly freezes or stands extremely still (often with weight forward on his feet), this can signal high arousal or aggression.
Raised Hackles: Fur standing up along his back or neck shows he’s excited or threatened.
Fixed Stare: A hard, unblinking stare at the cat (or looking only at the cat and ignoring you) is a warning.
Growling or Low Barking: Growls, snarls, or even a deep low-throated bark at the cat mean “back off”. Do not ignore these sounds.
Snarling or Bared Teeth: If he curls his lips or shows teeth, that’s an aggressive warning.
Lunging or Charging: Any quick lunge toward the cat, even if it’s not contact, is very dangerous.
Muzzle Punching or Nipping: Some dogs may do a “muzzle punch” (snapping at the cat with lips closed) or little nips. These are definitely signs of over-arousal.
Pacing or Circling: Obsessively following or circling the cat can be a prelude to chasing. If he won’t settle when near the cat, he’s not ready for free interaction.

On the flip side, good signs include a relaxed body, wagging tail (loose wag), looking around instead of fixating, or simply ignoring the cat. If your Yorkie stiffens, growls, or stares intently, immediately separate them calmly and try again later after more desensitization.

Remember: it’s normal for a dog to react instinctively at first, but persistent aggressive signals mean you need to step back. A gentle warning (like a hiss from the cat or a quick bark from the dog) is fine, but anything beyond that needs patience and training.

Creating a Peaceful Home With Yorkies and Cats

Once your Yorkie and cat are comfortable together, the goal is to keep the peace day-to-day. Here are tips for a happy, harmonious multi-pet home:

Separate Resources

Give each pet their own food and water station in different areas. Cats and dogs eat differently (cat food is rich in protein/fat, which isn’t healthy for a dog long-term). Keep the cat’s bowl and treats out of the Yorkie’s reach, and vice versa if needed. Feed them separately until you’re sure they won’t scavenge each other’s meals.

Cat Essential

Place the litter box in an area only the cat can access (a bathroom with a cat flap, a high shelf, or behind a baby gate). Yorkies (like many dogs) are curious and sometimes eat cat litter or feces, which can be dangerous. A high perch or a covered litter box can help keep it dog-free.

Provide Personal Spaces

Ensure both pets have their own “safe haven.” If your Yorkie loves crates or beds, let him use his Calming Pillow or crate as a den. Provide a kitty condo, window perch, or quiet room for the cat to relax. Yorkies Gram points out that each pet should have a private spot to retreat to. Even if they get along, they’ll appreciate having alone time in a safe corner.

Regular Exercise and Enrichment

Bored or under-exercised pets are more likely to get into trouble. Make sure your Yorkie gets plenty of walks and play. A tired dog is a calm dog. Similarly, keep the cat entertained with toys (feather wands, laser pointers, puzzle feeders).

Consider interactive toys from Yorkies Gram – for instance, the Slow Feeder Yorkie Toy is a puzzle bowl that makes your dog work for his food, and the Dog Carrot Snuffle Mat hides treats for your Yorkie’s nose to seek out. These toys keep your Yorkie mentally stimulated and distracted, which reduces anxiety and prevents him from pestering the cat.

Training and Positive Reinforcement

Continue training your Yorkie on basic cues (sit, stay, leave it) and use them around the cat. Whenever he sees the cat and stays calm, give praise or treats. Likewise, reward the cat for polite behavior around the dog (soft eye contact, play bows). Make sure you remain calm; your tone and body language set the mood.

Calming Aids

If either pet is anxious, consider proven calming aids. For Yorkies, dog-appeasing pheromone diffusers or sprays can mimic a mother dog’s soothing scent. Use these in the areas where your pets spend time. A gentle dog-calming collar or a plug-in diffuser in the living room can lower stress levels during introductions. (Yorkies Gram’s Calming Pillow itself acts like a comforting “hug” during naps.)

Supervised Interaction

Even if they seem fine, don’t become complacent. Continue to supervise them for a few months until you’re absolutely sure they won’t surprise each other. Always be ready to separate them gently at any warning sign. Remember, cats can injure dogs and vice versa if a play session turns rough. As a rule: better safe than sorry.

Respect Individual Personalities

Some cats and dogs become inseparable buddies; others just peacefully ignore each other. Both outcomes are OK. Don’t force them into an odd role. Let them bond at their own pace.

Can Yorkies and Cats Leave Peacefully? Wrapping Up

The relationship between Yorkies and cats can turn out very well! It is possible they will become best friends, sleeping, playing, and even cuddling together. There is nothing you should be afraid of, just try to get as much information as you can both about the cat and about the Yorkie. Information about their personality, and their past with other cats and dogs. If you noticed your Yorkie being aggressive when it comes to cats, or in general, training is the best option. Seeing your dog aggressive for the first time when the cat arrives, is possible. Professional training, setting some behavior rules, showing equality both to the cat and the dog, can easily make you and your pets feel better. Give them both enough love and attention, personal space, and time to get to know each other and get used to new life. You can be a perfectly happy family.

Blog