How to stop my dog from attacking my cat

If your dog has actually attacked — not just chased — your cat, separate them completely with doors, gates, or crates right away and get a certified force-free trainer or behaviorist involved before attempting any reintroduction; this is a safety issue. For milder chasing or prey drive, a slow, barrier-based reintroduction with heavy rewards for calm behavior around the cat can rebuild a safe relationship over time.

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Step by step

Separate immediately using doors, baby gates, or crates so your cat has fully dog-free space and can never be cornered.
If an attack or injury has already happened, get a professional assessment before any reintroduction — this isn't a situation to troubleshoot solo.
Reintroduce gradually behind a barrier or with your dog on a leash, keeping early sessions short, calm, and low-arousal.
Reward your dog heavily for calm, neutral behavior around the cat — glancing at the cat and back to you is worth a top-tier treat.
Always give your cat an easy escape route — a cat tree, shelf, or another room — so it never feels trapped during the process.
Only allow off-leash time together after many calm supervised sessions, and never leave them unsupervised until you're confident it's safe.

Frequently asked questions

Is this predatory behavior or is my dog just playing too rough?

Stalking, a stiff body, and fixed staring point toward prey drive, which needs a more careful approach than boisterous play. A professional can help you tell the two apart and adjust the plan accordingly.

Can dogs and cats ever be safe together after an attack?

Some pairs can, with careful, professional-guided reintroduction and permanent management like gates or separate rooms when unsupervised. For other pairs, full-time separation is the safest realistic outcome.

Should I punish my dog for chasing the cat?

No — punishment raises stress and can make your dog associate the cat with something bad, which tends to worsen the relationship. Management plus rewarding calm behavior is more effective and safer.