A composition on a dog chasing a cat
Answers
A dog and a cat face off. The cat is displaying defensive posture typical of interactions between a cat and dog that have not been socialized.
A kitten and a dog that have been socialized and interact with each other without aggression.
Cats and dogs have a range of interactions.[1] The natural instincts of each species lead towards antagonistic interactions, though individual animals can have non-aggressive relationships with each other, particularly under conditions where humans have socialized non-aggressive behaviors.
The generally aggressive interactions between the species have been noted in cultural expressions. In domestic homes where dog and cat are reared and trained properly, they tend to relate well with each other especially when their owner is taking good care of them.
Range of relationships Edit
A kitten is taking rest on the back of a street dog
The signals and behaviors that cats and dogs use to communicate are different and can lead to signals of aggression, fear, dominance, friendship or territoriality being misinterpreted by the other species.[2] Dogs have a natural instinct to chase smaller animals that flee, an instinct common among cats.[3] Most cats flee from a dog, while others take actions such as hissing, arching their backs and swiping at the dog.[3] After being scratched by a cat, some dogs can become fearful of cats.[4]
If appropriately socialized, cats and dogs may have relationships that are not antagonistic,[4] and dogs raised with cats may prefer the presence of cats to other dogs.[5] Even cats and dogs in the same household that have historically had positive interactions may revert to aggressive reactions due to external stimuli, illness, or play that escalates.