Dogs and Cats Are Not Natural Enemies
Guest Correspondence
SRQ DAILY FRESHLY SQUEEZED CONTENT EVERY MORNING
THURSDAY FEB 19, 2015 |
BY GREGG FLOWERS
Contrary to what is portrayed in cartoons, dogs and cats aren't natural enemies. The perfect example of peaceable co-existence between these two animals is evidenced by the many photographs we've all seen of dogs and cats curled up, snoozing together. The idea that dogs and cats hate each other prevails because it's true that dogs often like to chase cats (prey drive). But when a dog doesn't like cats it's either because he had a bad experience with one when he was little, or because he picks up on the fear of a cat. The same goes for cats who don't like dogs. A prior negative occurrence involving a dog shapes future fears and animosity. Sometimes so called "dog people" don't like kitties, and often "cat people" don't really dig dogs either, so our vibes can greatly influence our pets as well, believe it or not.
Both dogs and cats are predators, but dogs are pack animals, and cats are loners. While dogs are driven to fit into the family (pack) hierarchy, Felix couldn't care less about that, as long as his needs are met. Dogs and cats are "tuned in to different stations" mentally. Whereas a cat is preoccupied with a detailed awareness of it's surroundings, a dog is more interested in keeping up with his people, than exploring.
If you want to have a cat and a dog in the same household, the very best case scenario would be to introduce them as little ones. Puppies and kittens raised like this learn to accept each other as siblings. But sometimes we have an incumbent, and we bring an outsider into the pack, be it a dog or a cat. In spite of the differences between these two animals, these situations can work if you're patient and you proceed judiciously. - Next time I'll share some ideas on how to get that done.
A native of Louisiana, SRQ Daily Columnist Gregg Flowers owns Dog's Best Friend Dog Training Services here in Sarasota, where he "teaches dogs and trains people." Gregg became fascinated by our relationship with dogs as a boy in the '60s, and by 1985 had developed his own unique style of working with dogs and their humans
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