Most dogs don't like cats, and there are many different reasons for this. These pets often do not make friends due to differences in behavior, character and due to differences at the instinctive level. But it often happens that a kitten and a puppy have been in contact since childhood and behave like real friends. If the owners decide to have both animals in the house at the same time, then it is worth paying attention to some recommendations that will make the process of getting to know each other and establishing relationships easier and faster.
Frontiers on lock
Dogs and cats have completely opposite ideas and outlooks on life. The dog is a collective animal, in nature it lives in packs, and its fellow tribesmen are of great importance to it. A cat, on the contrary, “walks on its own” values solitude, catches prey on its own, eats it itself, and does not share it with anyone. But these animals have one thing in common: both animals are territorial, accustomed to guarding their borders and protecting them from outsiders.
Dogs and cats are predatory animals; protecting their territory is very important for them, just as it is for a hunter to protect their territory. One of the reasons why dogs hate cats is because they claim territory. It is easier for packs to win a place in the sun, so dogs took the lead. Weight and size are secondary causes. The ancestors of domestic cats were not inferior in size to dogs, but failed because they preferred loneliness.
Dogs chase cats because a pack is quite effective against one enemy, but today's domestic cat has not lost its courage. And if it had been the other way around, a pack of cats for one dog, it remains to be seen who would have won.
There is another version: competition at the genetic level. It is possible that the ancestors of domestic cats were saber-toothed tigers, which at one time greatly offended the canine family, and this is the basis for dogs’ rejection of cats. The desire to take revenge on the descendants of one’s enemies occurs at the genetic level.
Puppy chasing a cat
Hello again! Thanks to your advice, we solved the problem with socializing the puppy, but now we can’t figure out another one for about a month and a half.
Since the situation is usually exactly the opposite, I will try to describe ours in more detail.
As I already said, we have a Russian spaniel puppy, female, 4.5 months old. The problem is that the domestic cat is almost constantly chasing. We tried giving the dog a light slap on the butt - it didn’t help. Locking yourself in another room is the same. She doesn’t really care about street cats (she can be eager to chase them, but she reacts to “ugh” or “to me”), sometimes she can snort, but no more. At home, as soon as the pet is in her field of vision, she rushes like crazy. One day, when the dog was really annoyed with the cat, the second one began to hide from it on the windowsill, under a table, chair, etc., but in this case the dog itself began to look for it. Previously, the dog behaved more or less calmly when the cat came to my feet, in this case she simply sniffed it and continued to do her business, but if the cat suddenly “said her fi” (she is extremely untamed), the dog is there began to pursue her. Now, as soon as the cat comes to me, the whole apartment barks, and the dog does not calm down until the cat leaves me. Do I understand correctly that this is jealousy?
We also have a very difficult situation with the dog’s water bowl - sometimes he allows the cat to drink from it, sometimes not. No matter what the dog’s mood, we immediately sit the cat near its bowl, but in this case it refuses to drink. What is the cat trying to show with this behavior?
Companion and loner
Zoologists, figuring out the reasons for animal hostility, came to the logical conclusion that it is not the dog that is afraid of the cat, it simply does not want to make contact. Murkas really don’t like violations of their space; they feel great alone; dogs, on the contrary, have a thirst for communication. Ordinary curiosity can push a good-natured dog to approach an unfamiliar cat, but the acquaintance will not end well; the dog will either run away or scratch the dog.
This is another reason for enmity; a running away cat can awaken the hunter’s instinct in a peace-loving animal; if, sitting still, it hisses and tries to scratch, then the dog’s defensive reaction will lead to aggression, and the puppy to fright. One negative experiment is enough, which will be remembered by the associative memory of animals, to wage an irreconcilable war for the rest of their lives.
When driving a cat up a tree, many dogs do not experience any aggression; they perceive it as a fun game; a cat sitting on a tree interprets the situation completely differently.
Misunderstanding each other
You might think that since animals cannot agree with each other, it means that one of them is not very smart. A cat and a dog are like the French and the Chinese, knowing only their own languages. People can agree with each other using gestures that have common meanings, but with pets this is much more difficult.
By wagging its tail, a dog shows its disposition towards something; in a cat it means anxiety, concern, aggression. When a dog sits down, slightly wags its tail, presses its ears down on its lowered head, and visually strives to shrink, it means that it is guilty and completely submits. The cat presses its ears and bends down before attacking. Cats fall on their backs and put their clawed paws forward when they should actively defend themselves, while dogs with this pose show you complete trust and submission. With such differences in behavior, it is quite difficult for them to understand each other.
Lonely fighter
Any incompetent person, asking him what is the reason for the enmity between animals, will answer without hesitation, cats are afraid of dogs. They are big, strong, with sharp fangs, and the cats are so cute, fluffy, of course they are scared.
Having observed the habits of an ordinary yard cat during a chance meeting with a strange dog, it becomes clear that this is far from the case. Murka is not at all afraid of the dog, he just looks attentively at the stranger, bends over and waits for his reaction. She has enough time to run away, but she has no fear; instead, Murka assesses the situation. This is another reason why there is eternal enmity between dogs and cats. The cat does not feel fear, and if necessary, it will prove the proverb: “there is no beast worse than a cat.”
Some cats neglect dogs so much, strolling serenely in front of them, wagging their tail, as if they were deliberately teasing them. This picture makes it clear why dogs chase cats. The cunning animal deliberately provokes the dog, and at the first danger it climbs a tree. The dog jumps furiously in front of the tree, and the fearless cat sits and carefully watches him, while she doesn’t look scared at all. As soon as the dog gets tired of the useless activity and begins to move away, the cat goes downstairs, the scene is repeated again and again. By deliberately egging on the dog, the cat forces him to chase the robber to no avail.
Scientists from England conducted a series of studies and came to the conclusion that cats have a special enzyme that is unacceptable for dogs. This enzyme causes excitement and aggression, but there are many examples of true friendship between cats and dogs, which means that dogs have the ability to calmly perceive a negative enzyme.
How severe can the conflict develop?
For most, furry beauties are clearly faster than clumsy dogs. However, in reality the opposite is true: dogs are very resilient and are capable of developing considerable speed. Cats are more flexible and maneuverable, they can easily climb to the top of a tree or under a car. Therefore, in open areas, the purr cannot run far.
But even if the four-legged friend manages to overtake the mustachioed one, then the matter will not end with bloody victims. It's a game for them. Unfortunately, only aggressive dogs can seriously injure a “toy”, or even kill it. Not all cats are characterized by weakness and cowardice. Fighting individuals may well give a worthy rebuff.
If you can, catch it
Many people think that a cat is faster than a dog, but this is not true. A dog can reach speeds of up to 60 km/h, while a domestic cat is only 40 km/h. But a cat has many undeniable advantages: maneuverability, at maximum speed it perfectly runs around all obstacles, while a dog at high speed does not notice objects and can crash into a tree or pole.
The dog runs only on the ground, while the cat easily jumps on obstacles in the form of a car, tree, fence, so chasing it does not bring results. The dog has almost caught up with her, and suddenly the cat, making one jump, finds herself out of reach.
Of course, when animals meet in an open area, the cat cannot escape. The cat is not designed to run long distances, it is an excellent hunter, it watches over the prey, then, having precisely calculated the jerk, pounces on the mouse, but the prey cannot escape from its sharp claws.
A dog can pursue game for a long time and stubbornly, running many kilometers at high speed, driving the victim to the point of exhaustion.
Dogs don’t eat cats and don’t see them as food, but if an embittered dog catches up with a cat, he can give her a great beating and even cause irreparable harm to his health, but the dog won’t be in any good shape either and may well get hit by the claws of a brave cat, who knows whether he’ll be happy dog to his triumph. If the cat behaves indifferently and does not deliberately provoke the dog, then the dog will not chase it.
Official theory
There are many more interesting myths and tales among the people about the reasons for mutual dislike between animals. But these are just fairy tales. People who study the habits of pets give more plausible explanations for the cause of hostility: Different behavior.
A cat and a dog are diametrically opposed creatures. The dog is a noisy creature that loves to run, bark, and frolic. Let your dog into an unfamiliar apartment, and he will immediately rush to explore and inspect the rooms.
And a calm, unperturbed adult cat prefers to lie more, looking around. She is characterized by innate isolation and indifference. Philosophers! But this behavior is typical of cats who are wise in life - young fluffies behave differently.
Curious dogs, wanting to get to know the cats, run towards them. Outraged by the shamelessness, the cats quickly run away, trying to scare off the impudent ones with their hissing and raised fur. This provokes the mischievous dogs even more – a fun chase begins.
Here we should also take into account the “Jewish” character of the purrs, who consider the place in which they live (a house, an apartment and even a street) to be their personal, inviolable property. The arrogance of dogs is immediately suppressed - cats aggressively defend their territory.
"Predatory" legacy
Dogs are driven to chase cats by an innate instinct that is transmitted genetically. Dogs are hunters by nature and will run after any moving object. Hunting habits intensify when the dog is outdoors. There is a similar, but diametrically opposed theory:
The wild ancestors of cats (lions, tigers, panthers, leopards) always pursued small relatives of dogs (hyenas, jackals, coyotes).
The fear of big cats is ingrained in the subconscious of canines.
Seeing the little purrs, the barking pets begin to take revenge. Instincts are awakened by the smell of a cat.
Unpleasant Memories
Sometimes the kitty is quite peaceful and doesn’t mind playing with the dog. But the dog refuses the friendly relationship and snaps at the cat. This reaction is caused by unpleasant memories (a young dog was offended by a cat, scratching a curious person on the nose). The dog grew up, but the hostility and fear of purrs remained, fixed in the subconscious.
Owner's character
Owners of tailed pets are also capable of developing a hostile attitude towards cats. If a person is loyal to purrs, the dog, looking at him, will not show negative emotions.
But as soon as the owner demonstrates hostility towards felines, the dog duplicates human feelings. Enmity appears between pets. This is interesting.
Speaking about the difference in the behavior of animals, one curious feature was noticed - verbal contact. Dogs and cats have diametrically different body signals:
- A dog's tail wagging means interest and affection. In cats, tail movements indicate irritation or danger.
- When cats purr, they express pleasure. And the grumbling of dogs means a threat and a warning of an attack.
- If the dog raises his paw, he offers to play. The cat perceives this as a threatening action.
- Cat-like arching is a pose that signals an upcoming attack. And the dog, who does not understand this, reaches out to sniff the strange creature or lick it, getting hit in the face with a paw with sharp claws.
Peace instead of war
You can put forward the argument of animal enmity, saying that they are not used to being together. Usually people can be divided into cat lovers and dog supporters, but those who have two different pets at once cannot understand why they are considered enemies? Animals get used to it and get along well with each other, but only those that are kept in the same territory. It seems simply idyll when two such different pets are friends, ride together and even sleep, but this friendship is not harmless, especially when the pets find themselves outside the home. In the city, owners do not lose sight of their pets, but in a country house it is difficult to keep track.
Such friendship can only benefit a dog; a dog, accustomed to the company of a cat, will not chase other furry animals, thereby protecting its owners and itself from the wrath of cat owners. But finding itself alone, alone in a foreign territory, a domestic cat, accustomed to completely trusting the dog, treating it as a friend, will not see danger in a strange dog. She will not feel instinctive fear, she will not run away and hide, and she will definitely end up a victim of someone else’s evil dog.
You need to think carefully before keeping both a cat and a dog in the same house, because neither the owners nor the dog’s friend can always be near the furry mischief maker to save her from trouble. You should not risk your pet for the feeling of tenderness that arises when you see your cute friends. The safety of the animals and the peace of mind of the owners is much more important than fun.
There are compromises: you can have a kitten in the house in winter, and a puppy in the yard when warm days come. In this case, they will not be able to become very attached to each other, and the murka will have a guarantee of safety.
Do you love animals and don’t know which one to choose? Then you should get a cat first, so that by the time she goes outside she can grow up a little and learn how to behave around dogs. Then you can buy a puppy, the baby will not yet experience hostile feelings towards the cat, and most likely they will be able to become friends.
Mr. Cat recommends: how to make friends with pets?
Golden retrievers, pugs, and Maltese are peaceful with cats, and making friends with them is quite easy. Things are more complicated when a puppy or kitten is brought into the house, and the older pet does not make contact for a number of reasons (a dog of a fighting or hunting breed, the pet has been the only animal in the house all its life, etc.).
In order not to worsen the situation and allow the animals to get used to it, you should:
- Do not put pressure on the cat or dog. If you start beating or scolding your pet, this will not speed up the dating process. In this case, you need to be patient and give him time.
- Keep in different rooms. A new inhabitant causes stress; in order for an older pet to get used to it, it must have its own safe place. Over time, having gotten used to the new smell, he will show interest and try to get acquainted.
- Feed separately. Animal psychologists recommend giving food to the older animal first, and then to the new one. Thus, the pet will not feel deprived.
- Show more attention and praise. A new family member is always exciting, but don’t forget about your older pet; he shouldn’t feel abandoned. He must remain loved.
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Smart but different
If you ask about the mental abilities of animals, most people will say that, of course, a dog is much smarter than a cat. They perfectly follow commands, are obedient, they can even distinguish the words and mood of the owner, the pack lifestyle has affected the dogs’ communication skills, they are good companions, dogs can predict where an object is located and the speed of its movement. A hungry dog will get to food faster.
If a dog gives a voice when commanded to lie down or attacks an opponent, this does not mean that it is smarter. The cat will never obey the owner's commands; if only its desires coincide with the owner's command, it will obediently complete the task. Dogs recognize their reflection in the mirror, but may not recognize the owner if he comes in different clothes and smells unfamiliar. A cat cannot recognize itself in the mirror, but it will never confuse its owner.
Both animals are perfectly oriented in space and easily find their way home, but the cat has more possibilities. She can run not only on the ground, but also climb fences and tall trees, because, unlike dogs, she lives in three-dimensional space. Dogs are extroverts, love to show their emotions, and tend to get closer. Cats by nature are introverts, completely immersed in their own world, closed and not inclined to communicate.
The cat has proven its intelligence by surviving in extreme conditions all alone, in which a dog can survive only as part of a pack. Only after people know the thoughts of animals will it be possible to confidently say who is smarter.
Legends
There are a huge number of fairy tales and legends on the topic of enmity between cats and dogs. The Chinese put forward their own version: once upon a time, a girl who was drowning in a river was saved by a dog. The girl belonged to a noble family, and the joyful father thanked the dog by tying a decree to his tail, which stated that from now on any stray dog should be warmed and well fed. The dogs decided to celebrate such a joyful day and threw a big feast; the cat was entrusted with guarding the valuable paper. The next morning the paper with the decree disappeared. The cat explained that mice had stolen it and chewed it up, but the dogs did not believe the mustachioed sly man. Since then, dogs have been fighting with cats, and cats, in turn, have been chasing mice. When dogs meet fellow tribesmen, they look under each other’s tails in the hope of finding a treasured piece of paper there.
Another beautiful story tells that once upon a time there was a very poor man, no matter what he did, things didn’t work out for him, the harvest wasn’t born, the fish weren’t caught, everything was bad, one day he found a ring in the forest, after which things got worse things got better, luck began to favor the poor man. The cat, observing such changes, decided that it was all about the magic ring and accidentally spilled the beans to the rich neighbor. The rich man came to the house and took the ring.
The cat and the dog decided to help the poor owner by stealing the desired ring. On the way, the dog fell asleep, the cat alone brought the ring to the owner and slandered the dog, saying that he had told his neighbor, and she, clever, got it back. The man got angry with the dog and kicked him out into the yard, and began to feed him scraps. The cat is placed in the house and food is served to her in a bowl.
The dog could not forgive such a betrayal, since he envies the cat, he rushes at her wanting revenge.
