
Kelley Conkling on flickr / Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.o GenericAbout twenty years ago, I remember hearing about a guy who was seeking some reassurance from his veterinarian that his new cat would get along with his other cat.
A Word of Caution
According to the ASPCA, undersocialization early in life is the most common reason a cat is unwilling to welcome a new pet into their life. It's important to not force or punish a cat for "not getting along" with another animal.
Tips to Help Cats Get Along with Others


Some Breeds of Dogs are Less Likely to Get Along with Cats
Some breed of dogs, such as terriers, were bred to chase small running animals. These dogs are less likely to get along with cats. Yet, those who have been socialized (from a young age) to coexist with cats may get along swimmingly with your new pet.
Cats Breeds Most Likely to Get Along with Others
bgraney55 on flickr / Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 GenericOn CatChannel.com, an article by Stacy N. Hackett caught my eye. In it, she assures us that most mixed or purebred cats can learn to live with other species. Yet there appears to be some breeds that are more likely to enjoy the company of other furry friends than others.
These include (but are not limited to) the following:
American Shorthair (ASH) are known to be gentle, easygoing, good with children, dogs and other pets.
American Curl cats are affectionate, highly social and adjust quickly to new environments, children and pets.
Bombay cats can apparently be leash trained and some will even play fetch. These highly intelligent cats adjust well to children, senior citizens, and other pets.
British Shorthair are generally quite calm and quiet. Yet they prefer not to be handled too much (good for homes with more demanding pets).
Highlanderilovebutter on flickr / Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic cats may be long or short haired. They are highly active yet quiet. Highlanders enjoy socializing with children, cats, kittens, and dogs.
Japanese Bobtail tend to be around you all the time. They love to play tag and are great with children, dogs, and other pets.
Ragdoll cats are extremely laid-back. They tend to be more interested in people than in other animals. Ragdolls are not climbers or jumpers, so it's something to keep in mind when you are considering another pet.
Singapura cats are highly intelligent and extroverted. They enjoy playing yet aren't as destructive as other types of cats. They like "to help" and will constantly supervise you and other animals. Singapura cats are smaller than most breeds.
Director of Anti-Cruelty Behavior Research at the ASPCA
Dr. Kat Miller provides tips (including how to "test" a shelter pet)
Unlikely Friendships
Just when I thought that some cats wouldn't like other species (including natural prey or predators) I found out that some are the best of friends.
Up next is a series of videos I found on YouTube of cats getting along with other species. They include cats that get along with (or adopt) a squirrel; a bird that adores a cat; an eagle, fox, and two cats that calmly "hang out" together; a cat with a baby rabbit; and baby ducklings that climb all over an adult cat (that doesn't seem to mind one bit).