WHY ARE DOGS AFRAID OF CATS? 8+ REASONS
Why are dogs afraid of cats? Have you seen dogs afraid of passing near a cat or running away from a cat? It is funny to see that dogs may be afraid since they are bigger than cats.
Dogs are afraid of cats because cats can scratch them in the face really fast with their claws. So even though dogs may win a battle with cats if they find themselves in the position of chasing, in a face-to-face confrontation, dogs are very cautious because of cats’ agility with their claws.
This fear comes about when dogs have already been scratched before. But this is not all.
WHY ARE DOGS AFRAID OF CATS?
If you are a cat lover, you may have run across this curios phenomenon of dogs not daring to walk by a cat or seeing a cat and deciding to back off and run away. It is fun to see a dog being 3 or 4 times the cat’s size act like a puppy whose mother has just scolded.
Dogs may be afraid of cats due to their instincts or past experiences. For example, some dogs may view cats as a potential threat or see them as prey. Additionally, cats may emit body language or scents that can cause fear in dogs.
You see this when cats area stealing your dog’s bed, expecting him to sleep on the floor, or when cats are standing in the middle of the staircase ready to swing at the passing dog, who is so afraid that he decide to wait for the cat to move than rather have to deal with him.
Here are some reasons that may make dogs afraid of cats:
1. INSTINCT
Some dogs have a natural instinct to view cats as prey, which can cause fear or caution in their approach.
2. PAST EXPERIENCE
If a dog has had a negative experience with a cat in the past, it may cause them to be fearful or wary of cats in the future.
3. SCENT
Cats have a distinct scent that can intimidate dogs and trigger their prey drive.
4. BODY LANGUAGE
Cats have unique body language and movements that can be perceived as aggressive or threatening by dogs.
5. NOISE
Some cats make loud or sudden noises, which can startle or scare dogs and cause fear.
6. CATS HAVE CLAWS
Cats have claws that can scratch easily; they pray, and not only can they scratch easily because their claws are sharp, but those types of scratches are also excruciating. If you have ever been scratched by a cat, even a tiny scratch, you may have been surprised by how painful that is.
7. CATS ARE VERY AGILE
Cats are very agile, while dogs are bigger and stronger than cats; cats are very fast and can jump in any possible way. If you play with your cat, you know that they are sneaky and can get your toy even if you did not mean to let them catch it.
They are too fast and have incredible reflexes. Dogs are fast and agile too, but being smaller and lighter can bit dogs in agility and speed in most moves.
8. CATS HAVE AN ATTITUDE
Cats have an attitude: Cats start hissing and arching their back when they feel threatened and tell others to stay away. If a dog is confronted with this when a cat has scratched it in the past, the dog will not try to challenge the cat.
Note: it is not like this for all dogs. Some dogs would start chasing and hunting cats despite everything, especially if dogs never had a bad experience fighting a cat. On the other hand, some dogs do not care; they will follow their instinct.
WHY ARE DOGS AFRAID TO WALK PAST CATS?
You may have experienced a cat swinging at you while you are taking a turn in the house or passing by certain spots. Cats do this mainly because they want to play; they do not intend to harm you in doing so.
Cats do the same with dogs or other household pets. Cats follow or swing at anything that moves; it is part of their instinct. So when dogs see a cat guarding a staircase or a particular corridor, they may be afraid to pass by not to get hit by claws and be scratched.
If they are friends, the cat will probably paw at the dog because of wanting to play without using the claws. But the dog doesn’t know it.
From the above video, you can see how a dog can react when meeting a cat on a staircase or their path.
Why are dogs afraid of cats? If a dog had a bad encounter with a cat in the past, that dog wants to avoid being in the same position and be afraid to pass by a cat. These events can make even big dogs scared of cats, and even if it happened when they were small, they would remember it when they grew up.
There are also many cats and dogs getting very well along, sleeping together, and playing together. It really depends on the dogs’ and cats’ personalities.
DO DOGS HATE CATS?
I am not sure it is always true that dogs hate cats. On YouTube, you see many videos of dogs and cats being friends and sleeping with each other.
On the other side, there are dogs that, as soon as they see a cat go for it and try to hunt them. So it really depends on cats and dogs individually.
If cats and dogs grow up together, they are more likely to become real friends and even protect each other. Grown-up dogs’ reactions to cats can be tested. Younger dogs can also follow their instinct and run behind anything that moves, that includes cats.
It is not a point of hate. It is more a point of natural predator instinct for both of them, dogs and cats are hunters, and thus, they run and chase what they think is a target.
WHY IS MY CAT BULLYING MY DOG?
Cats bullying dogs can happen for several reasons.
Some reasons include the following:
- Territorial behavior: Cats are naturally territorial and may view the dog as intruders in their space.
- Personality differences: Cats and dogs can have very different personalities, and one may be more dominant or aggressive than the other.
- Prey drive: In some cases, a cat’s instinctual prey drive may cause them to chase or attack a smaller dog.
- Disruptions in routine: Changes in the household, such as the addition of a new pet or changes in schedule, can cause stress and lead to bullying behavior.
- Lack of socialization: Cats and dogs that have not been socialized with each other or with other animals may have difficulty getting along and may display aggressive behaviors.
It’s essential to monitor the interaction between your pets and intervene if necessary to prevent injury or stress for either pet. Consider consulting with a veterinarian or animal behaviorist to help resolve the issue.
WHY ARE CATS NOT AFRAID OF DOGS?
Cats are not necessarily afraid of dogs because of their natural instincts and behaviors. Here are a few reasons why:
- Independence: Cats are naturally independent and self-sufficient, which can make them less afraid of dogs and other potential threats.
- Territorial behavior: Cats are territorial creatures and may view the presence of a dog as a threat to their territory, leading them to act more aggressively or assertively toward the dog.
- Past experiences: If a cat has had positive experiences with dogs in the past, it may be less afraid of them in the future.
- Confidence: Some cats have a confident personality and may not be easily intimidated by dogs or other animals.
- Socialization: Cats that have been socialized with dogs from a young age are often less afraid of them and more accepting of their presence.
It’s important to remember that each cat is unique and may react differently to dogs based on their individual personality, past experiences, and current situation.
Read also: WHY DO CATS KISS YOU ON THE LIPS? FUN-LOVING REASONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I get my dog to stop being scared of cats?
If you live with a cat and a dog, it is much easier to train a dog to be afraid to walk past a cat or be with a cat. You can also train your cat not to be afraid of the house dog. You can have daily sessions with your cat and dog together; you are with them, make them be near, and try to make them interact. If you do not have a cat with your dog in the house, you may see if you have a friend with a cat who will help you train your dog to be in the presence of a cat.
Why does my cat hate my new dog?
Cats do not like their space being invaded. Therefore, they feel threatened even if the dog is friendly; he sputs his wet nose onto the cat and perceives this act as a threat. Therefore, when introducing a dog to a cat, it is better to control the event to make the dog less active.
How do I get my cat to stop bullying my dog?
You can train a cat to understand that certain things are wrong. With time and patience, you can get some results. When you start to train him to understand “NO,” you first say “NO,” and you stand up and stop him from doing what he is doing. After you have done it many times, he will stop doing whatever he is doing when you say, “NO.”
