If your dog regularly snaps or growls at cats, you may have wondered why these two species hate each other so much. In fact, the mutual hatred between dogs and cats goes back to a time when both species were carnivorous animals in the wild and competitors for one another.
Modern-day domestic cats and dogs continue to have an innate dislike for each other. They will naturally snarl at each other and even fight until one admits defeat and retreats.
Keep reading to learn more about why dogs hate cats. We will also give you tips on how to make your dog a little more friendly towards your feline friends.
Many dogs automatically hate cats. The reason being that dogs have a natural instinct to chase smaller animals. Cats, on the other hand, have a natural instinct to flee from danger, which makes them even more irresistible to dogs.
As a result, dogs will growl and chase cats. Cats will hiss, swipe, or arch their backs when they see dogs. This sets up the classic dog versus cat animosity.
Dogs bother cats because they are following their natural instinct to chase smaller animals. This is especially true of working dog breeds that have been bred for herding (Border Collies, Australian Cattle Dogs, Belgian Shepherds, Bouvier des Flandres, and others) or exterminator breeds (Terriers, Dachshunds, Miniature Schnauzers to name a few).
Sometimes, dogs chase cats simply because they want to play. Dogs may think of a small cat as a ball or toy that needs to be chased.
It is unusual for a dog to be afraid of cats, but it can happen. For instance, a dog who has been scratched by a cat in the past may develop a fear of cats. Fear or anxiety in dogs usually has an underlying reason. Understanding the triggers for the phobia is key to helping your dog work through it.
Dogs fight with cats because they are different species that are not usually friends in nature. When dogs lived as pack animals in the wild, they saw other animals either as a threat or as prey. So, dogs hating cats is not anything to do with their individual personality. It’s simply hardwired into their brains.
Dogs and cats make are very different pets. In general, dogs tend to be loving and affectionate (this can vary from breed to breed). In contrast, cats are more independent and aloof. This is because a dog’s wolf ancestors lived in packs where they had to build social relationships to survive and thrive. Cats have descended from solitary and territorial animals. In fact, solitary and territorial behaviors are still seen in big cats in the wild.
If you love both dogs and cats and want both types of animals in your home, there are several things you can do to maintain harmony among the four-legged members of your family.
First, make sure you match your dog’s and cat’s personalities. Some dogs are naturally naughty or territorial and may not do as well with other animals in the household. Also, make sure your dog understands and obeys basic commands. If your canine friend is not getting along with your feline friend, redirect any undesirable behavior. It’s also important to keep your dog entertained and busy so he or she doesn’t unnecessarily bother your cat out of boredom.
The dogs versus cats debate is as old as time. But if you are both a dog lover and a cat lover, these tips should help keep the peace in your household.
05 January, 2023