Why dogs don't like cats. Eight household habits that piss off cats and dogs Why dogs don't like

Why dogs do not like cats is a question often asked by both adults and children, but there is still no answer. Perhaps, by the way, quite the opposite - cats do not like dogs. Let's consider several hypotheses of this phenomenon.

Hypothesis #1. Genes...

Dogs, as everyone is well aware, are predators and hunters ... Cats are also predators, but smaller. Therefore, it is possible that dogs “by the call of their ancestors” see prey in cats ... Although it should be noted that birds, as a rule, do not cause such a violent reaction in them.

Hypothesis #2. genetic memory...

Dogs avenge their ancestors :) who were willingly eaten by saber-toothed tigers, which, as you know, are the distant ancestors of cats.

Hypothesis #3. Psychographic…

Cats lead a solitary lifestyle, so contact with other animals is not particularly pleasant for them. Dogs, feeling their unfriendliness, respond to them with aggression. In this case, it would be correct to say - cats don't like dogs.

Hypothesis No. 4. Neurolinguistic…

Dogs and cats interpret the movements of the tail and other parts of the body in many ways. So, for example, tail wagging is perceived by dogs as a gesture of friendliness, while in cats it is a sign of irritation, which leads to misunderstanding of each other ...

Hypothesis #5. Chemical…

According to some scientists, cats secrete a special enzyme, smelling which dogs show aggression ...

And do not forget that there are many examples when dogs and cats are friends and take care of each other.

reference Information

Great Dictionary of Russian language
DOG -and; and.
1. Pet family. canine, related to the wolf (used for guarding, hunting, riding in a team, etc.). Service dog, hunting dog, guard dog, yard dog, indoor dog, chain dog, sniffer dog. Some kind of dog breeds. Dog pedigree. An exhibition of some dogs. Lead the dog on a leash. Keep a dog. Train dogs. To be afraid of dogs. Ride dogs (in a team in the North). S. took it, lost the trail.
2. As part of the names of carnivorous mammals of the fam. canines. Raccoon dog, wild dog, dingo.
3. Unfold About an evil, cruel, rude person. I have never met such a rude, such a dog as you. This is not a person, but a mad s. / Use like a swear word. Did you shoot, dog? Get out of the way, p. lousy!
4. On what, in what, on what and with inf. in func. def. Razg. About the knowledgeable, dexterous, skillful in some way. the case of man; connoisseur. He dances - with. For court cases - / Use when expressing approval, admiration for smb. Learned, s.! Heather, s.! Oh, s., how can he do that?
5. Like a dog. Completely, completely, very strongly (tired, hungry, bored, etc.). (Like) a dog in someone's manger. About a person who does not use smth. and does not give to others. Like uncut dogs. A lot of someone How do cats and dogs live? About constantly quarreling people. Every (every) dog. Everyone, everything. Not a single dog. Nobody. Hang (all) dogs on anyone. Chase the dogs. To eat a dog in what, on what, etc. Be an expert in something. in fact, to have great skill, experience in smth. That's where the dog is buried. That's the crux of the matter, that's the reason for smth. With dogs you will not find anyone. Very difficult to find.
6. Canine; Doggy (see). Dogs, -and; and. Zoom (1 digit). Huge s. Little dog, -and; pl. genus. -nok; and. Decrease (1 digit). Run, follow someone, as with. Doggy, -chat; pl. (singular dogs, -nka; m.). Nar.-col.
Great Dictionary of Russian language. - 1st ed.: St. Petersburg: Norint S. A. Kuznetsov. 1998

Cats (Felis) are a genus of carnivorous mammals of the Felidae family. Sizes range from small (forest and steppe K.) to medium and large (lynx and puma). According to the structure of the skull, fur color and geographical distribution, about 20 subgenera are distinguished. For example, the ocelot of South America belongs to the subgenus Leopardus, the manul of Central and South Asia belongs to Otocolobus, and the Bengal cat belongs to Prionailurus. In the Mediterranean and Central Asia, the Libyan, or spotted, K. (F. libyca) is common, from which, apparently, all breeds and offspring of domestic K.
Domestic cats differ mainly in coat length and color. Previously, it was believed that the domestication of K. took place in ancient Egypt, where K. was a sacred animal and was subjected to embalming. It is more probable, however, that the domestication of kawaii also occurred independently among the ancient peoples of the Caucasus and Asia Minor, where the remains of such khakis have been found in the layers of settlements of the Bronze Age and even the Neolithic. The group of long-haired breeds includes: Angora, Persian and Siberian; to the group of short-haired - Siamese and tailless, as well as short-haired K. of various colors, bred in many European countries. Domestic K. are of great use in houses and warehouses by exterminating rodents (mice and rats), but harm gardens by eating useful birds.
In a broad sense, K. are called all representatives of the cat family, both living and extinct; for example, saber-toothed K. (mahairod), large cave K. (cave lion), domestic Siamese K., etc.
N. K. Vereshchagin.
Great Soviet Encyclopedia. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia 1969-1978

PUBLISHED DATE: Jul 8, 2019 12:28

Helpful Hints

There are many things and gestures that we do on a daily basis, without even knowing that, by doing so, we annoy our dog.

These pets, being the smartest creatures on Earth, become our best friends, but sometimes something can make them angry and dissatisfied.

And since the animal can’t talk, we don’t even realize that we are doing something wrong, and this our pet may not like it.

Here are 11 things that we do unconsciously and automatically, but that dogs hate so much:

What dogs don't like

1. Using words more than body language

Man is a creature capable of speaking and conducting dialogues.

We especially love talking to our pets, who cannot understand the vast majority of what we say.

Over the course of their lives, dogs can learn the meaning of some key words that their owners regularly repeat to them: "No! Walk! Let's go! Bring a toy!"

Some breeds of dogs are able to recognize up to a hundred different words and commands. But even if your dog knows selective phrases, this does not mean that he understands human language.

What animals rely on is our sign language. Only through body language can they understand what we mean and what we require of them.

Dogs are true experts and can read what you are thinking and feeling from the gestures of the human body before you yourself can realize it.

However, if we only pay attention to what our mouths say, and not to what our gestures dictate, we may send mixed misleading signals to the animal.

It is worth visiting any dog training school where dogs are trained and you will notice how some people say one thing and do another, confusing the dog.

For example, when giving the dog the "sit" command, trainers lean forward and extend their hand. In body language, this means inviting the dog into his personal space.

But when the dog follows this gesture while verbally commanding him to sit, he is reprimanded for the violation.

If you are interested in testing your pet, do a little experiment (your dog will only be grateful to you for this).

Try to go a whole day without saying a word to your dog, but communicating only with body gestures.

You will understand how important body language and gestures are in communicating with your dog.

You will be able to communicate with her perfectly without using a single word. A conversation with a pet may well proceed without words using only gestures.

2. Hug the dog

Surely you enjoy hugging your four-legged friend. Wrapping your arms around your pet's furry neck is always great! This is how we fight stress and cheer ourselves up.

It may surprise you that most dogs hate hugs. We, as higher primates, think that hugs are an amazing thing, thanks to which you can express a lot of feelings.

Support, love, joy and other emotions - all this can be expressed through hugs. It is perfectly normal for us to hug and squeeze something valuable in our arms.

But dogs are not developed enough to understand all this. They don't have arms and don't hug. And it is not customary for dogs to show their feelings and denote camaraderie in this way.

Remember this: if a dog puts its front paw on another dog's back, it is considered an act of dominance in their language.

Therefore, regardless of your intentions to hug and show friendly intentions, the dog views the act of hugging as a demonstration by the person of his dominance over the animal. After all, in the process of hugging, you put your hand on her back.

Most dogs patiently endure hugs, since for them the owner and the person, in principle, means superiority over the animal.

However, some individuals will feel fear and threat coming from a person.

You can feel this fearfulness and trembling. Some dogs may lash out and even bite. After all, they think that you encroach on their freedom.

In addition, the same dog that accepts the hugs of one person may react completely differently to another family member who tries to do the same. After all, if she accepts the hugs of the first, it simply means that she sees in him a leader and a master.

You will be hard-pressed to find a dog that truly loves hugs and cuddling.

Do you want to check that this is really true? Just pay attention to her behavior when you hug her.

Does she tense up? Does he take his head off? Avoiding even a hint of eye contact? Licking mouth with tongue? Or does he keep his mouth shut? Or maybe she presses her ears back to her head? All these signs indicate that the dog is currently experiencing discomfort. She is uncomfortable.

When a dog licks a person hugging her, this does not mean that she shows her obsession with love for him. So she shows humility and nervous behavior.

So the next time you want to hug your dog, pay close attention to all these signs that he is uncomfortable.

What dogs don't like

3. Stroking the dog's face or head

Do you like being stroked on the head? Hardly.

When someone reaches out to touch our head? Whether it is done with love or not, in most cases it is unpleasant for us.

At best, it annoys us, at worst, we can even experience discomfort to the point of trembling.

And we really do not like it when the hands of strangers approach our face, thereby violating our personal space.

If someone suddenly reaches out to your face, most likely, the reaction will be the following: you will want to take your head back and lean back in your chair. The fact that someone is invading your personal space will undoubtedly stress you out.

However, most people think that dogs enjoy being petted on the head.

However, in reality, although many dogs put up with it, allowing themselves to be petted by someone they know and trust, most of them do not like it.

Note that even a beloved domestic dog may pull away slightly when you touch its muzzle to pet it.

She will allow you to do this only because she considers the person the main thing, and not because she likes it.

Remember that dogs have their own space. This is why knowledgeable and responsible parents teach their children to gently stroke the dog's back or rear rather than clapping and stroking its face.

If you really want to pamper your dog, don't pat him on the head, just pat him on the back and give him a little pat on the neck.

Believe me, your pet will appreciate such a caress much more than the hated slapping in the face!

4. Approach someone else's dog, looking him straight in the eye.

We all know how powerful and powerful eye contact can be. It is usually regarded by a person as an important sign of trust or attention.

However, do not forget that eye contact also makes you feel nervous and uncomfortable.

Agree, it’s not pleasant when a stranger, without taking his eyes off, looks at your eyes, especially if he approaches you.

Eye contact is part of establishing dominance in many species. A person can resort to it to express various emotions. His interlocutor can determine by facial expressions whether the look is friendly or not. The dog can't do it.

When you look someone else's dog straight in the eye without blinking, you may be smiling in an attempt to be a friend, but it's more likely that the dog perceives you as a dominant or even an aggressor.

They may show submissiveness by looking away, or they may suddenly start barking. In any case, for most dogs, a stranger looking directly into her eyes is a potential enemy, and this situation is not entirely comfortable.

If you want to say hello to a strange dog, approach it with your shoulders slightly angled. Do not approach the dog sharply, look away a little and talk to him in a quiet, calm voice.

This behavior on your part allows the dog to believe that you are friendly and will not harm him.

This means that there is little chance that the animal will react aggressively.

What not to do with a dog

5. Lack of regularity and rules

A dog is an animal that needs and loves rules.

We think rules make life boring or miserable. But for a dog, rules are really important. She just needs to live according to the rules that the leader dictates to her, that is, she must fulfill the commands and requests of the person.

Animals are like children. They need a consistent set of rules for them to follow.

Compare the polite, well-behaved kids you know to the spoiled, ill-mannered ones who lack social skills and upbringing. They cause only irritation and antipathy.

It's the same with animals. He needs to be educated. The dog must live by certain rules. Only then will she be happy. The rules do not imply cruelty or aggressiveness. This means that the dog must be kept in strictness, but at the same time providing it with freedom as well.

In addition, when raising a dog, you should not confuse it.

And by the way, speaking of entanglement, animals don't understand exceptions to rules. For example, they don't understand why they're allowed to jump on you when you're in your casual clothes, but not when you're dressed up for an event.

They do not understand why they are allowed to jump on the couch after the bath, but it is strictly forbidden to do this if she returned dirty from the street.

When you say "no" to a dog, you are programming it that you can't do it in any situation without exception.

Violating the rules established by you, you only confuse the animal.

It is easier and easier for a dog to live when he knows where the boundaries of what is permitted are. And when you take the time to adhere to these agreed boundaries, you will be rewarded for your hard work in the form of positive results. This is how you strengthen your trust in you as a leader. You create the conditions for your pet to be happy and contented.

6. Forcing a dog to interact with dogs or people they clearly don't like.

Just like humans, dogs have their own objects of likes and dislikes. Like us, they single out friends and enemies for themselves.

By the behavior of the dog, it becomes clear who she likes and who she does not like very much.

You should not force your dog to communicate with someone if he makes you understand that this "someone" is not at all to his liking. However, many dog owners refuse to understand their pets or simply don't read the signals their dog is giving them.

Usually dog owners force their pets to associate with those who they like, but do not like their animals. Or they allow strangers to tease their dog, even when he shows clear signs that he does not like it and he has a desire to be left alone or leave.

It is important to note that there is a difference between forcing an animal to do something and rewarding it for good behavior.

The dog should be rewarded for his good behavior. Let it be a piece of meat or any other delicacy that your animal loves.

However, common sense must always be present when interacting with dogs for the safety of your pet and those interacting with it.

After all, if someone is unpleasant for a dog, and its owner still forces it to communicate, it can behave unpredictably. For example, pounce and even bite.

Pay attention to her behavior. If she doesn't like someone or something, she may growl or bare her teeth. If she does, it's best to take her away from the object she hates.

In addition, another very unpleasant situation can happen: your dog's trust in you as a leader or protector will be undermined. So try to read your dog's body language, it's quite eloquent.

If the dog does not want to interact with someone, do not force him to do so.

7. Walking without the ability to sniff or explore the area

Walking is a very important part of every dog's life.

Of course, it is very convenient for the owner when his pet obediently walks on a leash, dutifully listening to the commands of a person.

However, it is also important that the dog spends some time exploring the area. Dogs see with their noses, perceive the world around them through their olfactory receptors.

Animals attach as much importance to their sense of smell as we humans use our sense of understanding to interpret the world around us. It's safe to say that dogs appreciate smells, just as we appreciate a beautiful sunset.

They need to study, at least spend a few minutes a day sniffing the area.

People, on the other hand, focus on walking with the sole purpose of walking the animal solely out of need. Therefore, we often follow the same old route, often without any variety, in order to return home as soon as possible.

Treat your dog by walking with him a little longer than usual. Let her explore scents, let her discover new territories, new places to walk.

Give the animal some freedom. Training for his nose will come in handy. Open a completely unknown route with her.

Give her the following gift several times a week: explore another area or path, let the dog smell a tree, a puddle. Slow down a little, do not jerk your pet if he suddenly lingers at the object of interest.

And to help your dog understand the difference between a walk where he must be obedient and walk alongside you, and a walk where he can freely explore the territory, breaking away from you, you can take a special backpack or harness that indicates that you have today is a special walk where the dog will be allowed a little distraction.

These walks are a great opportunity for your dog to get some of the mental and sensory stimulation and release that makes life interesting and fulfilling.

8. Hard pulling on the leash

Dogs have an amazing ability to understand human body language.

They are amazing at reading our level of tension, feeling it even through the leash. When you hold on to a wire or pull it hard, you raise your stress, frustration, and excitement levels. Your dog, and you yourself, become tense.

Of course, many will say: “I don’t want to tightly control the leash, but I have to do it” or “My dog pulls the leash, not me.”

An amazing amount of energy is transferred from you to your pet through this small strip of canvas or leather. Thanks to the leash, you exchange energy. By holding on to a loose leash, you are letting your dog know that everything is fine and that there is no reason to worry or stress.

With a loose leash, you tell your dog that you are calm and in control, thus conveying your calmness to the animal.

When you pull your pet hard on the leash, you are sending a message that you are tense, nervous, and alert. And your dog responds to you with the same restless reaction.

Remember, just as you don't like it when your dog pulls you, so your dog doesn't like it if you keep pulling on the leash.

If the pet is well brought up, he understands perfectly well that he will not leave you, even if he thinks that he needs it.

A dog that is kept on a tight leash and constantly tugged is more likely to bark or react aggressively even in the most common situations than one that is treated more gently.

It has been proven that a dog that walks on a loose leash is more likely to be calm and compliant. Agree, a simple thing for human perception. Dog owners just need to learn that the less you jerk your dog, the more enjoyable your outdoor walks will become.

9. Strong host stress

Tension on a leash isn't the only time your dog can figure out how you're feeling.

You can tell when the person you are with feels tense, even if you don't realize it. Dogs have a similar ability to determine what state their owner is in at any given moment.

A picture familiar to many: a cat sitting on a tree peacefully licks its thick skin and is periodically distracted, looking down. And on the ground, a dog barking hoarsely rages.

Looking at the eternally warring creatures, the question arises: why do dogs dislike cats so much? It's all about the different psychology of these creatures.

The difference between dogs and cats

The dog is a pack animal, sociable and active. Even Mark Twain once remarked that if a dog starts talking, it will torment a person with endless chatter. Any friend will suit her, as long as there is a reason to meet, play, run and frolic. Such is its essence.

The cat is a self-sufficient observer by nature, avoiding annoying talkers. And loud bullies - even more so. She has enough to make herself happy. The shameless approach of a dog is regarded as an invasion and encroachment on personal space. The best way to avoid conflict is to retreat farther or higher.

"Man's friend" is used to hunting to feed himself. That's what his ancestors did. And the owner is actively developing this ancient instinct, training on various objects. Anyone who runs away automatically becomes a game to be chased. A cat rushing to the fence cannot be an exception. In addition, on the street, instincts are amplified at times.

Showing peaceful intentions, the dog wags its tail, leans forward, and can raise its paw. Similar gestures in a cat mean completely different feelings. The tail going from side to side is a state of nervous tension. Pressing the front of the body to the ground - ready to rush. The raised paw will surely descend with lightning speed and with extended claws.

However, the translation of cat speech is not available to the dog. He interprets the opponent's behavior by analogy with his own. Often this becomes the cause of misunderstandings that follow the actions of a small tiger. Annoyance all the more makes one resent and drive the malicious offender to exhaustion.

Instinctive experience in cats and dogs

When a puppy appears in the house for the first time, he hurries to explore every corner, diligently sniffing everything in his path. Curiosity completely erases fears. And even a small kitten is in no hurry to move through unfamiliar territory, carefully studying the close space surrounding it.

Caution in cats in the blood

Seeing a cat on the street, the dog immediately rushes to get acquainted with a new potential friend. And if a frightened cat hits him in a weak spot (for example, on the nose), then the dog will forever remember such a sad and painful experience. It is not difficult to guess how he will react to any cat at the next meeting.

It is believed that the distant predecessors of cats were large saber-toothed tigers, lions. They amuse their pride, annoying small wolves, jackals. The Canid Troop has internalized a dislike for clawed offenders ever since. Now the latter are reaping the fruits of the actions of their ancestors, forever fleeing from barking quadrupeds.

Do not forget about the person's contribution to these relationships. Often the owner of the dog, for fun, incites Sharik to a fluffy "beast" passing by. At the same time, he does not even suspect the consequences for his pet. What if the tailed “bandit” turns out to be more courageous than you might expect?

Aggressive meowing creatures are also rare. Their attacks on dogs are explained by a zealous desire to protect their territory, which they have long marked. This behavior leaves the dog no choice, causing anger in return.

peaceful existence

Fortunately, there are known cases of peaceful coexistence of these "irreconcilable" individuals under one roof. Such situations are possible if the animals get used to each other from childhood, and their owner shows patience and attention to each pet.

"They live like a cat and a dog." Since ancient times, dogs and cats have had a mutual dislike. Owners of dogs, especially large ones, have a hard time keeping their pet, who saw a cat. Yes, and among cats there are individuals who rush into a fight against a good-natured dog.

Most of us have pets, but rarely does anyone wonder what reasons can express such hostility.

I Version
One of the reasons is the genetic predestination of dogs. They belong to the canine family, that is, to predators. Any other smaller animals are considered game by the dog. Especially dangerous are dogs of fighting breeds, during the breeding of which certain qualities were fixed. Such dogs have aggression against other types of animals, even against people who seem suspicious to them. Representatives of hunting dog breeds are also a threat to cats.

II Version
The next reason for the dislike of cats and dogs may be mutual misunderstanding. Dogs are very sociable animals, and in their genes there is a historical desire to communicate with a wide range of the animal world, including humans themselves. Dogs, unlike cats, live in packs. Cats, on the other hand, are by nature observers and avoid unnecessary contact. No wonder there is a saying: "A cat that wanders by itself." The dog, having noticed the cat, instantly runs to it, feeling curiosity and a desire to establish contact. The cat takes off running, which generates even more curiosity on the part of the dog, and at the same time the hunting instinct is turned on.

Dogs and cats cannot adequately perceive each other's signals. The dog, wagging his tail, shows interest, expresses joy. A similar signal in a cat is an indicator of danger or fear. Dogs, by their nature, are very emotional and noisy, cats, on the contrary, if they show emotions, they are very quiet.

Dogs also have associative memory. The events that happened to them once are remembered for a lifetime. The cat could once offend the dog, even as a puppy. The dog retained the grudge for life. Thus, all cats and cats that meet on his way, in his opinion, should be punished.

III Version
There is a version of the so-called territorial claim. Each animal claims a certain territory, marking it. However, in villages, as well as among many owners, cats and dogs can coexist peacefully, getting used to each other. Dogs are used to living in packs, and therefore perceive their own as multi-species. According to the existing hypothesis, in the era of saber-toothed tigers, its representatives offended the canine family.

Having considered the main versions, we can say that at the genetic level, dogs have enmity towards feline representatives. There is no clear answer to the question: why dogs and cats do not like each other.