Jordan Rhodes' first half strike gave the hosts three points in a scrappy contest at the John Smith's Stadium.
Steve Morison made two changes to the side which defeated Middlesbrough in midweek, with Niels Nkounkou and Jaden Philogene replacing Joe Ralls and Mark Harris.
The hosts took an early lead in the contest, netting the match-winning goal after eight minutes. Jordan Rhodes worked space on the edge of the area and rolled a low shot through the legs of Jack Simpson, finding the bottom corner.
City looked to hit back, and won a penalty kick after 20 minutes. Andy Rinomhota was felled in the penalty box by a high boot, with the referee pointing straight to the spot.
However, Callum Robinson's effort was saved by Lee Nicholls in the Town goal, with the stopper pushing away the low strike.
The remainder of the first half passed by with few chances; Perry Ng, looking for his second goal in a week, struck wide of the target with an effort from distance.
Towards the final few minutes of the opening 45, Philogene was brought down extremely close to the Town penalty box. With a free-kick awarded, Callum O'Dowda stepped up and stuck on goal, but Nicholls was equal to it.
Cédric Kipré made a vital intervention at the start of the second half, sliding in to deny Jack Rudoni from close range.
The second half continued with little goalmouth action, though the introduction of Harris, Romaine Sawyers and Rubin Colwill saw City begin to dominate possession of the ball.
Unfortunately, the Bluebirds couldn't find a way back into the contest, with Harris and O'Dowda attempting to challenge Town aerially - Ollie Turton did well to turn the ball away from the latter at the back post.
At the other end, Rhodes' looping effort from distance forced the hand of Allsop, whilst in the dying moments, Welsh international Sorba Thomas should have converted from close range, but blazed wide.
The full time whistle brought the contest to a close, with City heading into the international break sitting in 18th position.
Full-Time: Huddersfield Town 1-0 Cardiff City
Cardiff City: Allsop, Romeo (Colwill 70'), Ng (Sang 82'), Kipré, Simpson, Nkounkou (Harris 46'), Wintle, Rinomhota (Ojo 90'), Philogene (Sawyers 46'), O'Dowda, Robinson.
Subs not used: Alnwick, Nelson.
Huddersfield Town: Nicholls, Turton, Lees, Helik, Nakayama, Kasumu, Camara, Rudoni (Jones 58'), Anjorin (Ward 46'), Holmes (Thomas 80'), Rhodes (Mbete 90').
Subs not used: Bilokapić, Kessler, Mahoney.