Despite having a high prey drive, Boxers are typically wonderful with cats and other pets.
You might be most concerned about the threat your Boxer poses to your cat, but it’s actually the other way round.
Corneal lacerations inflicted by your cat on your Boxer when play gets out of hand are probably the biggest risk of having a multi pet household.
Throughout the history of the breed, one of the qualities that’s made the Boxer so widely loved is his adaptability and his steadiness of character.
Boxers are known for their patience and gentleness with children and they are generally this way with animals smaller than themselves including cats.
Your Boxer and your kitty cat will most likely play together and snuggle up to sleep alongside each other — it’s one of the reasons Boxers make good apartment dogs.
Best age to get a cat with a Boxer
A Boxer puppy and a kitten
The ideal - and safest - way to go about it is to bring your Boxer puppy and your kitten home at the same time.
If they meet when both are tiny, there will be few problems.
A Boxer and a kitten
The next best way to do it is when at least one of the two animals is very young, preferably the cat.
This is because it’s more likely the cat will be the sticking point in the relationship.
However, if you already have an adult cat and are getting a Boxer puppy, don’t worry.
It can still work.
A Boxer and an adult cat
This third scenario is a little trickier.
If you’re introducing an adult cat and an adult Boxer unfamiliar with cats, or you have more than one Boxer, you’ll need to be a lot more careful.
It will take time.
But with a gradual process and proper management, most Boxers and cats can absolutely live in harmony.
They will end up being great companions.
Conclusion
Whether it works or doesn’t will likely be up to the cat.
Where Boxers are unfailingly happy go lucky, cats ooze attitude.
Of course, the dynamics depend on the individual temperaments of the particular Boxer and cat.
And as the owner, you are the key to setting them up for success.
But usually the cat will ending up being the boss, regardless of who was first established in the home.
Stress is no good for either of your pets.
Both your cat and your Boxer need to feel safe and relaxed in their own domain.
If you can, get your Boxer puppy and kitten together. Having them meet before either is set in their ways, or has any fear, makes for the smoothest sailing.
If one of the two is already a little older when the other joins the household, prepare for a period of careful socialization and constant supervision.
Above all, never leave your Boxer alone with your cat until you are 100 per cent sure they can be trusted to play nice.