Do Dogs Really Hate Cats?
The answer to this question is really dependent on the individual dog. Some dogs hate cats so much that they can’t co-exist with them. They will chase after them, maul them, and in extreme cases, even kill them.
Other dogs get along great with cats and will even cuddle and play with them. So, why the discrepancy?
Cats and dogs are two very distinct species. They live in different worlds, thrive in different environments, and possess different instincts and mechanisms for survival. They also communicate very differently, which means they often get their wires crossed when trying to talk to one another. What a dog sees as a playful gesture, a cat sees as a threat or vice versa.
Reasons Why Cats and Dogs Don’t Get Along
The root causes of dissension between dogs and cats are probably a combination of these factors. Some of the reasons are instinctual, while others are a product of dog and cat socialization and what they are exposed to at a young age.
Competitive Instincts
Dogs and cats are both predators, which means that both species are hardwired to compete for access to resources. This is the most common reason dogs go after cats.
In the wild, cats would typically be a more dominant predator than a dog. In domestic settings, the dog often comes out on top due to their size differential and location. This causes a conflict of interest between cats and dogs when sharing resources.
Socialization
How dogs are socialized as puppies directly impacts how they view cats. If a dog has been raised around cats and learns that they are friends, they’re much more likely to view them in a positive light than an older dog who has never interacted with a cat.
Dogs who have never been exposed to cats or who have had negative interactions with them are likely to perceive cats as a threat.
Misplaced Aggression
Dogs often see cats as a form of intimidation. This is most often seen in dogs who have been abused, so they see everything and everyone as a potential threat. Cats are often smaller than dogs, and they can jump and hide in ways that dogs can’t. This is an easy target for dogs with misplaced aggression.
Prey Drive
Dogs with a high prey drive see cats as prey. Cats quite often don’t stand and fight when dogs attack them, either. They run away, which the dog sees as a sign of submission.
As predators, dogs see a cat’s escape attempts as surrender, meaning they will pursue them more aggressively as time goes on.
Communication Issues
Dogs primarily use body language to communicate, while cats use more vocalization (although they use body language too. The problem is that the two species don’t speak the same language, which leads to miscommunication.
Take a wagging tail, for example. Dogs wag their tail as a sign of happiness and to indicate that they are friendly. When cats wag or twitch their tail, it’s a sign of aggression or that they are about to pounce on their prey. Cats see a wagging dog tail as a sign that they should be aware and the dog may be about to strike. Dogs, in turn, see a cat who is about to strike as a sign they are being friendly.
Differences Between Dogs and Cats
Let’s take a quick look at what different behaviours mean in each species and why this leads to cats and dogs not getting along.
Running – Cats run when they feel threatened. Dogs run when they are happy and excited, a behaviour that is seen as threatening by cats.
Playing – Dogs nip and use their mouths during play sessions. While cats do play, they are less aggressive and only bite or scratch when they feel threatened.
Wagging Tails – As we said earlier, dogs wag their tails in happiness. Cats interpret this behaviour as a sign of aggression since they only wag their tails before they strike their prey.
Noise – Cats are quieter than dogs, and they meow to communicate something. Dogs may bark to communicate, but they also do it when they are bored or want attention.
Growling is another way cats and dogs communicate differently. When dogs growl, it is a sign of aggression. When cats growl or “purr”, it’s a sign of contentment.
Dogs can interpret meows as signs of aggression by responding with the sound a cat makes to express contentment.
Instinct – Dogs are instinctive pack animals, while cats are solitary beings. This means dogs are more likely to see cats as a threat. Since dogs like to dominate their environment, and cats don’t, this can lead to tension and aggression between the two.
How To Help Dogs and Cats Get Along
You can’t always make your cat and dog love each other, but there are some things you can do to help them co-exist peacefully.
Put dogs and cats together when they are young. Kittens and puppies who grow up together often become the best of friends. Animals raised together and exposed to each other when they are very young are much less likely to develop tension between them.
Be aware of potential threats. If your dog is prone to chasing after cats, or your cat likes to his and scratch the dog, it’s best to keep them separated. If you do bring them together, control the interaction by putting your dog on a leash or letting them sniff each other through a barrier. The more you let them fight, the worse it will be.
Feed them separately. Since resource competition is one of the biggest reasons animals fight, take the competition out of it. Feed your dog and cat separately, in separate rooms if possible. This will avoid any aggression or competition over food.
Play with them together. Playing with both animals at the same time can help them create a positive association with each other. It will also avoid any jealousy over your attention.
Reward good behaviour. When your dog and cat interact in a positive manner, make a big deal of it for both animals. This helps reinforce the behaviour you want to see more of.
Don’t force the relationship. You can’t force your pets to be friends. Sometimes all you can do is create an atmosphere where they can peacefully co-exist.
Monitor their interactions. If your dog and cat have gotten aggressive with each other before, continue to monitor their interactions with each other to prevent it from re-occurring. This helps ensure that their relationship is positive moving forward.
Final Thoughts
Not all dogs hate cats, and not all cats have a problem with dogs. However, the two species have a complicated relationship. Most of this stems from their differences in communication and the fact that they don’t understand each other. Cats and dogs send each other mixed messages and don’t always know what the other animal is saying.
Do your pets fight like cats and dogs? Or are your cat and dog best friends? We’d love to hear about it!
