It has always been believed that the rivalry between dogs and cats is natural. Surely more than once you have heard the expression "get along like a cat and a dog" to refer to two people who do not have a good relationship with each other, but is the myth that both species hate each other really true? ?, is this implicit in its nature?
When two animals as different as cats and dogs live together in the same space, certain tensions and conflicts can arise between them. However, there is also the possibility that they will develop a strong bond and end up becoming great friends. In this article on our site we analyze both scenarios and tell you if it is true that dogs hate cats or not Keep reading!
Is it true that cats and dogs don't get along?
No animal species gets along intrinsically badly with another, because the relationship that two or more individuals establish among themselves depends on many factors and not only of the species to which they belong. Therefore, it would be wrong to generalize and say that dogs and cats hate each other and cannot live together peacefully in the same home.
The truth is that both animals are similar in many ways, but they also differ in othersthat can hinder the relationship between them. Dogs are gregarious mammals, they live in groups (of which we humans are a part), they establish social norms and, in a certain way, they depend on each other to survive and to have quality of life. However, cats are much more independent and, although they also occasionally form stable coexistence groups, they do not show as much codependency with each other or with other species.
The different way that dogs and cats have, by nature, of communicating and interacting with their peers makes it sometimes difficult for them to understand each other or interpret the other's intentions, generating a certain distrust or suspicion. But does this mean that dogs and cats will never finish accepting each other even if they live together? Not at all! Well, just like people do, they can learn to tolerate each other's presence, to communicate effectively and respect each other, even establishing a true friendship in many cases.
Why does my dog hate and chase cats?
If you're wondering why dogs chase cats, bark, growl at them or get excessively upset every time they see one, it doesn't mean they hate them just because they're cats! There are several causes that can explain these behaviors. If this is the case with your dog, here are the most common reasons why he "hates" cats:
he has never socialized with cats or is not used to them
If a dog has never had contact with cats during their sensitive stage of socialization (from three weeks to three months of age) or has not gone through a process of habituation to them at any time of your life, it is quite possible that you will overreact every time a cat appears on the scene. Sometimes the dog's behavior is simply product of the curiosity he feels for that animal he is not used to seeing, but, on many other occasions, is related to a feeling of fear and insecurity in the face of the unknownNot all dogs express fear in the same way, some freeze, others run away or hide and a large number of them bark, growl, bristle or even chase the potential threat, trying to drive it away.
Have you ever had a bad experience interacting with cats
Another possible reason why your dog seems to hate cats is that he has experienced some traumatic or unpleasant episode while interacting with one. Many times, dogs that are more accustomed to the presence of cats or those with a more curious or intrepid character, take "too much confidence" with the felines that cross their path, approaching in an invasive way to sniff them or try to play with them. If the cat in question feels threatened, he may attack the dog with his claws or teeth, scaring or causing injury. As a consequence of this, it is possible that the dog associates, from that moment, the presence of cats with the negative experience and begins to react in an unwanted way to them.
It has a strong hunting and/or prey instinct
All dogs, regardless of their breed, have a certain hunting instinct, since they are mainly carnivorous animals with a common ancestor: the wolf. A complete hunting sequence is made up of several behaviors that are always carried out in the same order and that are the search for the objective, the stalking of the same, the pursuit and, finally, the prey, which refers to the subjection through the bite. To cover some or other human interests, selective breeding has been enhancing and polishing these instincts over the years in certain breeds, achieving, for example, dogs with super sense of smell specialized in searching and tracking, others that show innate behaviors of stalking from an early age or sprint dogs capable of overtaking a rabbit in the middle of a run. Thus, genetics is also an aspect to take into account if your dog tends to chase or chase cats. Therefore, if your dog kills cats, chases them and brutally attacks them, it is very likely that genetics is the determining factor in this case.
How to stop my dog from hating cats?
In order to modify your dog's behavior, the first thing you must do is identify the cause of his behavior, understand the emotion that is hidden behind it and learn to quantify it. Even when the cause of your dog's behavior is, in part, genetic, there are exercises that you can put into practice with your furry dog and that will help him increase his level of tolerance towards cats, whether you find them on the street or share your home with one or more.
In this article we propose some guidelines to start working with your dog but, as always, if you are concerned about this or any other behavior, we recommend that you seek the advice of a professional canine ethologist or educator who work with a respectful methodology and thoroughly study your specific case.
How to stop my dog from hating street cats?
The relationship that a dog establishes with each individual is unique and different, which explains why a dog that lives without problems or has a good relationship with a cat at home can later react explosively to the unknown cats he finds on the street. Whether this is your case or not, you should get your dog used to the presence of cats, especially if you live in an area where it is easy to find them during your walks. To do this, start by keeping as much distance as possible with everyone you meet, even if you have to change your route or turn around. Getting the dog used to cats and ignoring them will be more difficult if he has them within his reach.
As soon as your dog sees a cat, slow down and, before he overreacts,try to divert his attention to you by saying his name or through a command such as "look at me", which you will have to teach him beforehand. At the precise moment that the dog focuses his ear or his eyes on you, say "very good!" and reinforce him Next, invite him to follow you and turn around or walk away from the cat.
This exercise aims to gradually create an association between the cats and the reinforcer, inviting the dog to ignore the feline in exchange for something it likes. Of course, we must bear in mind that on many occasions, especially in dogs with a great hunting instinct, the search, stalking or chasing of cats are reinforcers in themselves and, in addition, they are much more powerful than any food that we can give them. to offer. For this reason, in the case of these dogs it is a good option to use a game as a reinforcer that also allows them to satisfy this hunting instinct, such as waving a teether or throw a ball in the opposite direction.
Never punish or yell at your dog if he reacts to a cat and avoid sharp, sudden jerks on the leash, as they can worsen the situation. Remember that behavior modification is a slow process that requires patience and in which some relapses are normal.
How to make my dog not hate my cat?
For a dog, starting to live with a cat is a big change in his life and not all dogs seem to be satisfied with it. Many times conflicts arise that the guardians do not understand or are not able to resolve and, in most cases, can be prevented by making a good presentation between both animals.
The adaptation process of the animals can be long and costly, but you must avoid forcing any type of interaction between them if one of them is not Do you feel comfortable. Here are some tips to make living together easier:
- During the first days, delimit the spaces of both animals through physical barriers and ensure that both have areas where they can rest quiet.
- Present each one objects impregnated with the scent of the other so that they begin to get used to it. Little by little, allow them to see or come closer if they are calm, always maintaining security measures.
- Keep calm During your interactions, try not to raise your voice or make sudden movements.
- Make sure the cat has access to high places, he will feel safer
- Pay equal attention to both and reinforce any positive interaction between them.
- Train self-control exercises with your dog to prevent him from constantly chasing the cat around the house, provide him with enough physical and environmental enrichment and play with him to satisfy his hunting instinct.
If, despite putting all these tips into practice, you notice that your dog hates cats, including his housemate, again, we recommend you see an ethologist or dog educator.
