Why Does My Dog Attack the Family Cat for No Reason

In the battle between cats and dogs, dogs are commonly depicted as the instigators. But sometimes, information technology'due south the cat who has information technology in for the family unit canis familiaris. Though it'southward certainly possible, and actually quite common, for cats and dogs to go forth and even form friendships, some cats just want nothing to do with dogs. They may even turn hostile toward the friendliest and gentlest of pups, leaving you to wondering what to do.

This can be especially true of a shelter cat introduced into your home. Although shelter personnel should be able to tell you whether a cat gets along with dogs, sometimes cats are on their best beliefs at the shelter and only evidence their true temperaments later they've spent some time in a home. It'south also impossible to determine an adult shelter true cat's groundwork, so there might be something in their past that triggers an intense dislike of dogs. But your habitation doesn't accept to exist a battleground for pets. With plenty fourth dimension and patience, you tin teach your kitty to peacefully coexist with your pup.

Agreement Types Aggression in Cats

There are several reasons why your cat may be interim out. Understanding these underlying causes of a cat'south aggressive beliefs can help you place triggers and put a stop to your pet'southward hostile antics, explains cat behavior skilful, Pam Johnson-Bennett.

Fear Aggression

A fearful cat may react to your dog by trying to get away. If they feel trapped, they may effort to make themself announced smaller past crouching, flattening their ears and wrapping their tail tightly around their body. If your pup doesn't take the hint to dorsum off, your kitty will eventually lash out in what they perceive every bit self-defense.

Redirected Aggression

If your cat sees or hears something they want to set on but can't become to, such equally another kitty outside the window, they may turn around and take out their pent-upward aggression on the nearest target instead — in this case, your unwitting dog. Acts of redirected assailment can feel random considering you aren't aware of what triggered them. It seems like your cat just decided to beat upwards on your poor pooch. But in reality, your dog is simply a convenient target — in the wrong place at the wrong fourth dimension.

Territorial Assailment

A new cat joining your abode may feel the need to chop-chop found their territory and assert their authorization over the other household pets. In this example, any attacks they make on your dog are simply an attempt to plant boundaries and prove your pup who'southward boss. If your canis familiaris is submissive and doesn't fight back, your kitty will only feel more encouraged to exhibit bullying beliefs. The gentler a dog, the more likely they are to become a target for your cat'south aggression.

Aggression Due to Overstimulation

If yous've ever suffered the consequences of petting or playing with a cat beyond their tolerance threshold, you know how fast they tin get from purring and playing to scratching and biting. Dogs may seal the same painful fate for themselves if they overstimulate a kitty.

Predatory Aggression

Stalking, pouncing, chasing and lying in wait for an ambush are all function of a cat'south innate predatory instincts. Though birds, mice and other small animals are typically their targets, your kitty may take out their predatory behavior on other members of the family, including your domestic dog, if actual casualty is not bachelor. If this is happening, it's a good indication that your true cat isn't getting enough mental and physical stimulation and do; i.e., they're acting out because they're bored.

Unprovoked Aggression

Unprovoked aggression, attacking or lashing out without crusade, is extremely rare for cats. Frequently, what appears to be unprovoked aggression is actually redirected assailment. However, there might be another crusade for this behavior, such as your kitty experiencing pain or the effects of an underlying wellness condition. If your cat seems to be attacking your dog or another member of your household for no reason, consider taking them to the veterinarian to rule out any medical causes that might be in play.

My True cat Hates My Domestic dog: What Should I Practise?

To help your cat and dog get along or, at the very least, get out each other in peace, y'all'll want to follow these steps:

1. Innovate a new cat very slowly. Go along the newcomer separated from established household pets past using crates, pet gates and closed doors. Let your pets to sniff and get to know each other through the safety of barriers, closely supervising contiguous interactions, until it's clear that they volition either accept or ignore 1 another. Be patient. It might have weeks or even months to fully integrate a new cat into a household with other pets — especially if yous're dealing with a fearful or aggressive kitty.
2. Prioritize your true cat'due south safety. If your kitty senses that they're safe, they might not feel the demand to protect themself equally aggressively, explains PetHelpful. You can aid them feel more secure past providing an escape route, either to another room where your pup can't get or to a high perch where your dog can't achieve. Give your kitty their ain safe space where they tin can hide and at-home down whenever they feel threatened or overstimulated.
3. Monitor your kitty's stress. A new home is total of potential stressors for a true cat. Since stressed kitties are more likely to be on edge and easily triggered, you'll want to do whatsoever you can to assist them experience comfy and at-home. Across providing a safe space for your cat to hibernate and relax, respect their boundaries and consider investing in an over-the-counter pheromone spray or plug-in. These products are specially designed to continue cats calm. Additionally, you lot'll want to separate your cat's feeding expanse from your dog's. And because cat's don't e'er come up correct in and gobble upwardly their nutrient like a lot of dogs do, you'll want to make sure your dog doesn't accept access to your true cat's nutrient bowl when they're non around.
4. Give your cat a lot of playtime. Regular exercise and play assistance your true cat exert whatever pent-up free energy and aggression that might otherwise be taken out on your pup. If your cat is prone to lashing out when they're overstimulated, move your canis familiaris to another room until playtime is over. Then, ensure your cat gets enough time to absurd down before they interact with your pup. Provide plenty of interactive toys for your cat to pounce on and set on to assist satisfy their natural prey instincts.
5. Pause up fights safely. If your pets start feuding, don't insert yourself betwixt them or commencement yelling, as it tin can only exacerbate the situation. Instead, try to safely interrupt the fight by making a loud, sudden noise to startle them and concenter their attention. If that doesn't work, try throwing a coating over the fighting pair or spraying them with h2o.

If, after trying these steps, you detect that your cat is still attacking your pup without any provocation or identifiable crusade, consider speaking with an animal behaviorist or your vet. They can aid you get to the bottom of why your kitty just won't leave your pup alone. In most cases, however, establishing peace and harmony in your habitation comes down to patience and ensuring that your pets get the attention and intendance they need.

Contributor Bio

Jean Marie Bauhaus

Jean Marie Bauhaus is a pet lover, freelance writer and novelist. She currently lives in the Ozarks with her hubby and their gaggle of four-footed dependents, where she enjoys watching a wide array of wild animals in her backyard while drinking her morning coffee.

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Source: https://www.hillspet.com/pet-care/behavior-appearance/my-cat-hates-my-dog

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