Los Angeles is a city full of multi-pet households and a very common question we hear from families is whether a Teacup Yorkie can live happily alongside a cat. The good news is that with the right introduction and a little patience, Yorkies and cats can absolutely coexist peacefully. If you are considering adding a Yorkie to your home, you may also want to read about whether you should get a second Yorkie and our guide on bringing your Teacup Yorkie home for the first week.

The short answer

Yes — Yorkies and Cats Can Be Great Friends

Yorkshire Terriers were bred as working dogs rather than hunting dogs, which means they do not have the strong prey drive that makes some breeds dangerous around cats. Many Yorkies are naturally curious about cats and will attempt to play with them from the very first meeting. Cats who are calm and confident around dogs generally adapt well to living with a Teacup Yorkie. The small size of a Teacup Yorkie actually works in their favor — cats are less threatened by a 3-pound dog than by a larger breed.

How to introduce them

How to Introduce a Yorkie Puppy to Your Cat

The key to a successful introduction is taking it slowly. Keep your new Yorkie puppy and your cat separated for the first day or two so they can smell each other under the door without direct contact. Allow brief supervised visual introductions before any physical contact. Let your cat set the pace. Make sure your cat always has high spaces to retreat to where the puppy cannot follow. Most Yorkie and cat pairs in LA apartments settle into a comfortable routine within two to four weeks. Our Yorkie socialization guide has more tips on helping your puppy adjust to new environments and animals.