Are Shih Tzus Good With Cats? How to Introduce Them Safely

How we researched this article: This guide draws on a peer-reviewed study of cats and dogs living together from Tel Aviv University, PetMD, and the American Kennel Club (AKC) breed standard. Every source is listed at the end. Last reviewed: September 2026.

Table of Contents

The Short Answer

Yes, Shih Tzus can usually live well with cats. The breed was developed as a companion and house pet, not as a hunting dog, and the AKC standard describes the ideal temperament as friendly and trusting toward all.

But every dog and cat is an individual. How you introduce them matters more than breed.

Ginger cat and a long-haired Shih Tzu lying together — Many Shih Tzus and cats live together peacefully.

What the Research Says

Researchers at Tel Aviv University surveyed about 200 homes with both a cat and a dog and filmed how the animals behaved. About two-thirds of homes reported a friendly relationship. About 25% said the pets were indifferent to each other, and about 10% saw aggression or fighting.

Two factors made a friendly relationship more likely:

Meeting young. Relationships were better when the cat was under 6 months old and the dog was under 1 year old when they first met.
Getting the cat first. Homes where the cat arrived before the dog tended to do better.

The study also found that cats and dogs living together learned to read each other’s body language, even though some signals mean opposite things in the two species.

How to Introduce a Shih Tzu to a Cat

Keep them apart at first. Give the cat its own room with food, water, and a litter box.
Swap scents. Trade bedding between the pets for a few days so they get used to each other’s smell.
Meet through a barrier. Use a baby gate or cracked door. Reward your Shih Tzu for calm behavior.
Keep your dog on a leash for the first face-to-face meetings. Let the cat choose whether to approach.
Keep sessions short and positive. End before either pet gets stressed.
Supervise until you are sure they are comfortable together.

Shih Tzu and a grey cat meeting on a tiled floor — Go slowly and let the cat decide when to approach.

Set Up Your Home for Both Pets

Give the cat high places to escape to, such as cat trees and shelves.
Put the litter box where the dog cannot reach it. Many dogs will eat cat litter or cat feces.
Feed pets in separate spaces. Cat food is too rich for regular dog meals.
Keep a gate or room where the cat can always get away.

A Special Risk for Shih Tzus: Their Eyes

Shih Tzus have large, prominent eyes. A swat from a cat can scratch the eye. If your dog squints, paws at an eye, or has a teary or cloudy eye after a scuffle, see your vet the same day. See our eye care guide.

White Persian cat and a white Shih Tzu sitting side by side — Supervise early meetings. A cat’s claws can injure a Shih Tzu’s prominent eyes.

Signs It Is Not Working

The cat hides constantly, stops eating, or avoids the litter box.
Your dog stares fixedly, chases, or will not settle near the cat.
Hissing, growling, or swatting continues after several weeks.

If problems continue, go back to an earlier step, keep the pets separated when you are not home, and ask your vet about a qualified behavior professional.

Safety first: Always supervise early meetings. Give the cat an escape route and a high place the dog cannot reach. Keep the litter box and cat food away from the dog. A cat scratch can badly injure a Shih Tzu’s large eyes. See a vet the same day if your dog squints or has a cloudy or watery eye after a scuffle.

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