Down Boy! How To Stop Your Dog From Chasing Cats

If there’s anything cartoons have taught us, it’s that cats and dogs are eternal rivals. Just like Batman and the Joker or Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd, a cat is always trying to run away from, or outwit, a dog.

But is this always the case in real life?

Not at all!  Felines and canines can coexist “peacefully”, just like how cat people and dog people can.

However, this doesn’t mean your dog isn’t dangerous to other cats. As the proud owner of a pup, you should make sure your dog is trained not to chase cats, even if you don’t own any.

Why Do Dogs Chase Cats?

Before we tackle how to stop Fido from chasing Fluffy, let’s figure out why dogs tend to chase cats. There are two main reasons:

They Want To Play!

Dogs looooove chasing things. Throw them a ball and they’ll run after it quicker than a bullet. Run away and they’ll chase you down and cover you in kisses once they catch you. For Dog’s sake, they chase their own tails! So if a cat takes off, the dog thinks it’s playtime, and will chase kitty down.

Sounds harmless, right?

Well, not exactly.

The cat doesn’t think it’s being chased; it thinks it’s about to be eaten. It’s like if someone chases you around with a knife, and you don’t know they’re fooling around. A cat can be injured if they don’t know the dog is playing.

Also, dogs can be quite rough when it comes to playtime. Dogs playing with other dogs is relatively harmless, but if a big dog chases a small cat, there could be serious injury.

Now, for the second reason.

They Want Their Prey!

A dog’s a natural hunter. Even though modern pups are well-fed and have no need to chase prey, their instincts still kick in from time to time. Dogs may be well-evolved, but their evolution has not eliminated their wild behaviors 100 percent just yet. Some dogs will see a running cat, and their instincts will tell them it’s dinner time! Not even a cat’s nine lives can save them, either. This can end horribly, especially if your dog chases after someone else’s cat.

What Can You Do?

If you don’t want your dogs to hurt or even kill other cats, or if you want to bring in a feline to your pet family and want your dog and cat to exist in perfect harmony, you should train your dog not to chase cats. Here’s how.

Look At The Breed!

Every breed of dog has an origin story. If your dog’s ancestors chased cats, or were big hunters, they can be more prone to chasing cats than normal dogs ever would. Depending on the breed, you may not want to let it near a cat, ever. On the other hand, your breed may naturally coexist with cats.

The breeds known to chase cats tend to be hunting or fighting breeds. Hounds, pit bulls, Huskies, and Schnauzers are just a few examples.

Cat-friendly breeds, not surprisingly, tend to be smaller pups. Pomeranians and Chihuahuas make great cat companions. Some bigger dogs that are good for cats include the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, the Shetland Sheepdog, and the loveable Golden Retriever.

Of course, knowing the breed isn’t foolproof. A pit bull can be friendly to cat, and a Golden Retriever can chase a cat. This is just supposed to give you a general idea.

If your dog is chasing after cats, here’s what you can do. We’ll first tackle dogs who chase other people’s cats, and then move onto how to prevent your dog chasing your own cat.

How To Stop A Dog From Chasing Cats

If your dog begins showing aggression towards a cat, distract it! Train your dog to sit when it’s about to move, and reward the pup when it follows directions. Distracting your dog whenever it’s about to chase a cat can reduce your pup’s urges to chase felines.

Once your dog gets aggressive, get him out of the area ASAP. Take the pup to a place where he can calm down, such as your bathroom, crate, or any other sanctuary.

Sometimes, your dog’s instincts can overpower your commands. Your best bet is to prevent your dog from seeing any cats in the first place. Don’t leave it alone in the neighborhood to chase cats. Build a fence or a barrier between the dog or your cat. Preventing the problem is the best way to stop it.

Now then, what if you’re bringing home a cat and want your dog to get along with it (or vice versa.)

Letting Dogs And Cats Exist In Perfect Harmony

As I said before, knowing your breed is important. Knowing your cat’s behavior is, too. If it likes to run around, or if it’s elderly, the cat may not be a good fit for the dog.

With that in mind, you should properly introduce your two pets. Don’t take one pet to the shelter when you adopt the other; you need to be patient and give it a bit until they see each other.

When you take the cat or dog home, put your other pet in one room, and let the newcomer stick around in another. Alternate rooms each day, as this will allow both dog and cat to get used to each other’s scent. After a few days, it’s time to introduce!

Put your dog and cat in the same room, and make sure they’re leashed. Allow them to check each other out and get used to their new lives. If you see any aggressive behavior, use the same rules as above to calm your dog down. Put your dog and cat in separate rooms again if they’re not used to each other yet.

Don’t forget to train your cat, too. If your cat’s scared of the lovable pooch, feed it treats whenever the dog is nearby.

It Takes Time

Getting a dog to stop chasing a cat, and getting a cat and dog to peacefully coexist, will probably not happen overnight. Instead, it may take a few months. As usual, hire a professional trainer if you can’t do it on your own. You should be in a loving multi-pet household in no time!

This is a guest post by Emily Parker. You can learn more about her on her website, Catological, by clicking here. Emily grew up with dogs but is currently a cat parent to Gus and Louis, so she understands both sides of this problem!

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