why do cats dont like dogs and why do dogs dont like cats?

My nine year old Beagle (she passed away today) loved cats. Her bestfriend was one of my cats. They were inseparable. So not all cats and dogs hate each other.

Alyssama,

It is not that dogs and cats hate each other. I have seen dogs and cats play together. The reason being they were raised together, there is no competition for food. In the wild cats (lions, leopards, tigers) (wolves, foxes, coyotes) are competititors in the food chain. Lions will kill Leporads, Wolves will kill foxes. If you were a farmer raising food for your family and others tried taking it from you, how would you react? Cats and mice don't hate one another, the mouse is a source of food for the cat and the mouse knows it! The cat to a dog is a competitor and the cat knows it! It is a feral thing. I watched a red tailed hawk the other day nail a fox squirrel. It wasn't about hate, it was about survival. I have a friend that has a Chihuaha and a big tabby cat. They were raised together, each has its own food bowl. They play together all the time. It is funny. They're the same size and when they get into a wrestling match, I laugh so hard it brings tears to my eyes they're so funny. So, it is not about hate, it is about instincts. I hope that I have been of some help to you.

Everett

I love cats and dogs both. I used to think it was the dogs fault that they didn't get along. After seeing what my house cats do to my poor dogs, I don't blame the dogs for chasing them! Lol, its probably not the same with all cats and dogs but that's how it is in my house hold. My cat waits until my puppy is sleeping walks right up to him and hits him in the head and then runs and hides. Watches from under a chair for the puppy to fall back asleep and goes and bats him again. Now outside its another story. The puppy refuses to let the cats come to the house and chases for no good reason. We are in the process of breaking him of that habit now. My 6year old lab will let the kitties sleep with him if the puppy doesn't run them off first and ignores the house cats completely. Even when they are jumping over him or batting him on the head. He just sleeps through it all. He allows cats to come to the house, but will not allow strays to come near the house. They have to stay by the barn until he realizes they are part of the farm now.

That does not happen in my house.

The cat loves the dog. and vice versa.

When I bought the new addition to the house (the cat I think), I introduced them to each other, and explained that we are all required to tolerate each other, be kind and respect each other, there is plenty of room for all, and we can all live together harmoniously.

This includes the wildlife (birds) in the yard. My cats do not stalk the birds, in fact the crows, the magpies, the pee wees, do not fly off when the cat walks past. Because they have all been told that we are to live on this earth together, and that they are ALL welcome in this yard.

It so wonderful. I go all gooey inside when I see how much the cat and dog love each other.

Actually lots of families have cats and dogs that adore each other. I think the only reason why they don't seem to like each other is because of territory reasons or just trying to be defensive. Dogs bark at other dogs if they get too close but that doesn't mean they hate each other.

Well I have a very smart German Shepherd Dog named Scout Trooper. Sometimes I refer these questions to him, to get the dogs point of view. With no thumbs, and long nails, Scout can't type on the keyboard, so I'll ask him, and type the answer he gives.

Okay, here is what Scout said:

Dogs are duty bound to protect their humans. Humans fail to realize cats are vile, perverted, evil, baby eating, satan worshiping monsters out to destroy the world. This is a war between good and evil. Simple as that. Dogs that get along with cats? Simply a matter of some individual cats being converted to goodness, and having admitted defeat in their war against humanity. Dogs do not entirely trust "pacified" cats, but, dogs are so good at heart, they can't bring themselves to get all genocidal and wipe out cats that are trying to redeem themselves.

Okay, there you go, straight from the dog.

That is a lie, the question is why do dogs chase cats? Or bunnies, squirrel. Most dogs have a high prey instinct, or just instinct to chase. Its that simple.

We have around 14 dogs here and when there just off they chase anything that moves, but my mom has 2 cats and at night they cuddle to the dogs.

I have known many cats and dogs that get along very well. My dog and cats do not. I believe it's because cats don't like how muhc energy lots of dogs have, and then proceed to beat up on the dog.

The dogs chase cats often in playing, but the playing is muhc to rough for the cats.

It's all because of mixed messages. When dogs lower their bodies, it means they want to play. When cats lower their bodies, they are about to attack. So when a dog lowers itself to a cat, the cat will feel threatened. When a cat lowers itself to a dog, the dog thinks the cat wants to play and will do the gesture back, making the cat angrier.

Not to mention the dog's natural prey drive. If they see a cat (or a rabbit) running they will want to chase after it.

Or how dogs are so playful and cats are more independent. The dog will want to play and be all over the cat, annoying and irritating the cat.

My dog thinks hes a cat haha. but it's probably cause cats think dogs are annoying and dogs are scared of cats or just wanna chase them...lol thats a good question.