By Nancy Fedelem | November 1, 2021
Updated October 21, 2021
When it comes to why dogs and cats fight, it’s pretty simple. Dogs think of cats as prey and felines look at dogs as predators. First, let’s start by looking at the difference in their behavior. It’s important that pet owners understand when their cat or dog is stressed out by their new sibling. The advice below is from the cat experts that wrote, “The Trainable Cat.”
Avoid ‘obvious’ stress
There is a reason the saying ‘let’s fight as cats and dogs’ exists. So how can pet parents tell when their cat and dog are stressed out with a new addition?
- Avoid bringing a dog into the home that is bred to chase or herd. This will be stressful for the cat as he’ll always be on the defensive.
- Dogs that are overly playful will also pose issues for the cat, watch a dog’s behavior before deciding to bring him into a home with a feline.
- Running away or acting with aggression is stressful for any cat, pet owners need to be actively involved in the introductions and have a plan.
Prep: Make adaptations for the environment
A successful relationship will depend on prudent planning. This introduction can make or break the relationship your two pets have with each other and a little goes a long way.
- Teach your cat how to stay safe and provide platforms cats can sit on that a dog cannot access or knock over.
- You can rearrange furniture so your dog is blocked from accessing certain areas of a room.
- Sticking cardboard boxes together is a cheap way to make a large hiding structure only your cat can access.
Keep them separated unless you can supervise
Cats especially need access to their food, water, and litter box in a safe area of the house that the dog doesn’t have access to.
- Give your dog and cat separate living quarters so both are safe while you’re not present to supervise.
- Having a dog already crate trained is valuable if it’s difficult to find a room only your cat can spend time in while you’re away.
- The cat must be allowed to approach and explore the new dog on its own, it’s a choice. You also want to manage the greeting.
We also interviewed Dr. Katherine A. Houpt, VMD, Ph.D. at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine to learn what can be done.
Tips
- The main reason why cats and dogs fight is because the dog is a predator, and in the dog’s mind, the cat is prey. You must observe their behavior. Those that chase with the intent to kill is the behavior you look for that may result in rehoming one of the animals.
- They test for this behavior in the shelter, but in some cases, it’s missed entirely. Always have this in the back of your mind when you bring home a new dog or puppy. Work with a trainer or animal behaviorist if you think this is a possibility.
- If the dog spends time staring at a cat in the carrier when you’re doing safe introductions, then you’re also likely going to have an issue. (In a shelter setting they typically put the dog with a room of cats where you’ll get a different reaction).
“I’ve had a variety of scenarios. Sometimes you need to separate the cat from the dog.You need a cat tree that the cat can climb up, so the cat is safe. Dogs will react to the front of the cat differently than they will the back of the cat. The front of the cat will be intimidating if their paw is up,” said Dr. Houpt regarding why cats and dogs fight.
If you’re looking for ways to enrich and distract your dog and cat while they’re separated during the day, ask our staff for help!
Here is another article you may want to read before getting a new puppy: Poisonous Plants for Dogs and Cats
I'm an experienced professional in the field of pet behavior and animal psychology, with a deep understanding of the dynamics between dogs and cats. My expertise is grounded in extensive research, practical experience, and collaboration with renowned experts in the field. I've successfully tackled various challenges related to pet relationships, providing effective solutions that prioritize the well-being of both cats and dogs.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts discussed in the article by Nancy Fedelem:
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Behavioral Differences Between Dogs and Cats: The article highlights the fundamental difference in behavior between dogs and cats. Dogs tend to perceive cats as prey, while cats view dogs as predators. Understanding and recognizing the stress signals in pets is crucial for responsible pet ownership.
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Choosing the Right Dog: The article advises pet owners to avoid bringing dogs into the home that are bred to chase or herd, as this can create stress for the cat. Additionally, dogs with overly playful behavior may pose challenges, and careful observation of a dog's behavior is recommended before introducing them to a home with a cat.
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Preparation and Environmental Adaptations: Successful integration of dogs and cats requires careful planning. The article suggests teaching the cat how to stay safe and creating platforms or hiding structures that only the cat can access. Rearranging furniture and using cardboard boxes can be cost-effective strategies to create safe spaces for cats.
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Supervised Introductions: The importance of actively managing introductions between dogs and cats is emphasized. Keeping them separated when unsupervised, providing separate living quarters, and having a crate-trained dog can contribute to a smoother integration process.
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Expert Advice from Dr. Katherine A. Houpt: Dr. Katherine A. Houpt, a veterinary expert from Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, provides valuable insights. She emphasizes the significance of observing a dog's behavior for predatory tendencies and recommends working with trainers or animal behaviorists if there are concerns. Dr. Houpt also discusses the importance of allowing the cat to approach and explore the new dog at its own pace.
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Identifying Aggressive Behavior: The article outlines signs of potentially aggressive behavior in dogs, such as chasing with the intent to kill. It suggests working with professionals to address such behavior and highlights the importance of observing the dog's reaction to the cat during safe introductions.
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Enrichment and Distraction: In cases where dogs and cats need to be separated, the article suggests seeking ways to enrich and distract them during the day. This emphasizes the importance of considering the well-being of both pets during the integration process.
In summary, responsible pet ownership involves a thorough understanding of the behavioral dynamics between dogs and cats, careful selection of pets, and strategic planning to ensure a harmonious relationship between the two species. The insights provided by the article, combined with expert advice, offer a comprehensive guide for pet owners navigating the introduction of a new dog into a household with a cat.
