5 reasons why your dog is obsessed with your cat
‘You fight like cats and dogs!’
Have you heard this line before? It’s a testament to the natural antipathy between these two species.
Even movies gained from this antipathy, as seen on cat-and-dog movies such as Cats & Dogs.
Don’t be mistaken, though. Many cats and dogs share a peaceful relationship. Here’s proof:
Unfortunately, this is not the case for all cats and dogs. In particular, some dogs stalk, chase, and even hurt cats.
It’s an obsession that seems to be present in most dogs.
One possible reason could be the dog’s strong prey drive.
Prey drive refers to a dog’s inclination to chase and even kill small animals. Preys could be cats, rabbits, or squirrels.
If you think it’s prey drive, look at how your dog behaves.
They’ll stare and focus. Sometimes nothing can break the stare. Not even the owner’s recall.
In worst-case scenarios, the dog will run after the cat. It starts a chase that might end badly for one of them.
All dogs have a prey drive. But this is stronger in certain breeds.
Think of Rhodesian Ridgeback, Greyhound, and Airedale Terrier. These dogs were originally bred to hunt and flush out small animals.
Some animals that were not bred to hunt still have a high prey drive. Think of Siberian Husky and Chihuahuas. Chihuahuas do it because of their guarding skills.
Reason 2: Your Dog Has A Strong Prey Drive
Some people say that dogs chase after cats because they hate them, others simply state that it’s in their nature and while the word hate is more of a projection, it’s true that cats trigger a very specific instinct in dogs.
AKC explains that “dogs enjoy chasing cats not because they hate cats, but because a fast-moving feline triggers a strong, natural instinct that takes training and socialization to override.”
While most dogs have a strong hunting instinct, certain breeds especially large dogs can have strong prey drives.
Cats are smaller and they are really quick, so seeing them dart away is what makes your dog chase after your cat or maintain their fixation over them.
If your dog chases everything or tries to chase after every little animal when you’re on your walk then it’s only natural that they will exhibit the same behavior around your cat, even if it is minimized somewhat by your training.
Certain dogs were also bred to chase down prey. These breeds are Whippets, Afghan Hounds, Sighthounds, etc.
These dogs are the perfect chasing machine and catching a small animal like a squirrel or a cat can be highly rewarding for them.
This strong prey drive can result in your dog stalking, chasing, and even hurting your cat. If that’s the case then leaving your cat alone with your dog is out of the question, even if you’re 100% certain that you’ve trained them not to.
How to Stop Your Dog From Being Obsessed With Your Cat
Socialization is a vital part of a dog’s life. In the case of a dog and cat, early socialization and introduction can help to prevent obsessive behavior.
Ideally, this socialization process should be done at an early age when your dog is a puppy and your cat is a kitten so that when adulthood arrives, there isn’t any tension on either end because by then, both pets recognize each other without feeling threatened or territorial.
If you have a new cat in your home and your dog is an adult, introduce the cat gradually and cautiously. One trick is to get both of them to get used to one another’s smells before meeting face-to-face.
Socializing your pet and integrating them into the family is a great way to prevent obsessive behavior.
If both of your pets are adults, you may want to consider redirection as an option for preventing dog-on-cat aggression. One technique that has been known to work in many cases is directing your dog’s attention from your cat towards something interesting like a fun game or toys like a stuffed Kong.