Why Is My Dog Obsessed With My Cat?

The History of Dogs and Cats

Dogs and cats have been living together for thousands of years in many parts of the world.

For instance, they were domesticated on the same day in China more than 4,000 years ago.

They also lived alongside humans for thousands of years in Egypt, Turkey, India, Central Asia, and North America.

As far as we know, dogs were first domesticated by wolves in the Middle East around 15,000 years ago.

There are several different theories about how this occurred, but all agree that some early people began to feed their dogs scraps from their kills as well as using them to hunt larger animals.

By around 10,000 BC, dogs had become highly trained to assist humans in hunting large game such as deer, bison, and bears.

In the ancient world, dogs were used to guard villages and herds against wolves and other predators.

Today, there are hundreds of thousands of different breeds of dogs around the world.

Some of these can weigh up to 100 pounds (45 kilograms) and live for 12 years or longer.

Others only weigh around 5 pounds (2 kilograms) and live for less than three years.

Of course, not every dog is a hunter-guardian.

Many dogs today are pets, companions, and therapy animals.

However, despite the vast differences between certain breeds of dogs, all of them share common characteristics.

Cats, meanwhile, have been around since prehistoric times.

For example, fossils dating back to 40,000 BC have been found in caves in France, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Turkey.

These fossils show that cats were already living among humans at that time.

In fact, the oldest known cat skeleton was discovered in Germany in 1878, and it dates back to 32,000 BC.

This means that cats have been living alongside humans for tens of thousands of years.

Like dogs, however, cats vary greatly in size.

The smallest cat ever recorded weighed just 1.5 ounces (4.6 grams), whereas the largest weighed over 35 pounds (16 kilograms).

While most modern cats are considered domestic cats, wildcats still exist.

These include jaguars, ocelots, pumas, lynxes, bobcats, and servals.

In addition to being smaller than domestic cats, wildcats don’t usually live near humans.

Instead, they prefer forests, deserts, and mountainsides.

However, they will sometimes attack livestock when necessary.

Since domestication, cats have become much more popular around the world.

Today, cats outnumber dogs almost everywhere except in Japan.

However, while dogs and cats are generally seen as a pair, the truth is that they can get along very well.

After all, they are both carnivores and therefore have similar digestive systems.

They also share many similarities in terms of appearance and behavior.

The Differences Between Dogs and Cats

Before we go further, let’s take a look at some of the differences between dogs and cats.

Dogs have more body hair than cats.

Dogs tend to bark much more than cats.

Dogs can run faster than cats.

Dogs are more vocal than cats.

Cats are better climbers than dogs.

Dogs prefer to play in water while cats do not.

Dogs need to drink more water than cats.

Dogs are generally larger than cats.

Dogs have four legs, two eyes, a nose, and a tail, while cats only have three legs, one eye, a nose, and a tail.

Dogs have longer teeth than cats.

Dogs are generally more intelligent than cats.

Dogs will protect their territory, but cats will leave theirs alone unless threatened.

Dogs can jump higher than cats.

If you think that all of these differences might cause conflicts between your dog and your cat, read on!

Why Dogs Might Be Obsessed With Cats

According to The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), there are more than 100 million cats in U.S. homes.

In fact, in 2014, there were approximately 7.6 million cats entering shelters.

The HSUS estimates that only about half of those cats will ever find new homes.

Although there are many factors contributing to this problem, one major cause has been attributed to the rise of pet overpopulation.

This has led to an increase in unwanted pets that end up being euthanized at animal shelters across the nation.

While most people would agree that these numbers seem like they would be overwhelming, the truth is that not all animals are created equal when it comes to adoption.

Some animals are much easier to place into loving homes than others.

One group of animals that fall into the latter category are dogs who have become so attached to their owners that they refuse to leave them alone.

They want to stay close by even if they don’t get enough food or playtime.

These types of dogs can be extremely difficult to place for a variety of reasons.

How to Stop Your Dog From Obsessing Over Your Cat

If you have a dog and a cat together, there’s a chance they might get on each other’s nerves at some point.

However, there are ways for dogs to stop obsessing over cats.

If you think this is happening in your home, here are some tips to help you deal with the issue.

1. Understand What’s Going On Between Them

It’s essential to understand what your dog is thinking when he starts getting too close to your cat.

You need to know if your dog is trying to get a reaction from your cat or if he’s trying to communicate something else.

Your cat may be able to tell your dog what he wants by using his body language or by making noises.

Some dogs will try to get their attention by playing with toys or tugging at them.

They do this because they want them to play with them rather than attack them.

If your dog is doing this, then he’s not interested in attacking your cat.

He just wants to play with him.

On the other hand, your dog could be trying to communicate something else to your cat.

For example, he may be asking for food or attention. If this is the case, then you should take action as soon as possible.

2. Try Changing Their Roles

If your dog has been trying to communicate something to your cat, but you can’t figure out what, then you could try changing their roles.

For instance, if your dog is always jumping up on your cat, you could give him a new role.

Instead of letting him jump on your cat, you could use treats to encourage him to sit next to the cat instead.

This way, your dog will still get to enjoy playing with your cat, but without any physical contact.

You could also use different toys to help your dog express himself properly.

Some dogs like to play with balls or tug toys, while others prefer bones or chew toys.

If you don’t know which type of toy your dog likes best, ask someone who does – preferably an animal behaviorist.

They can help you choose the right toys so your dog will be happy and content.

3. Keep Things Calm and Relaxed

When you’re dealing with two animals that are used to being alone, things can start to go wrong very quickly.

If your dog is constantly sniffing your cat, or vice versa, then you need to keep things calm and relaxed.

One way you can do this is by keeping your pets separated when you’re not at home.

This means you won’t be tempted to let them meet up whenever you see each other.

Another thing you can do is to make sure your cat and dog don’t share space.

Put one of them in another room, such as a kitchen or living room, so that they don’t run into each other unexpectedly.

You can also try creating boundaries between your dog and cat.

This means putting barriers or fences between them so they don’t accidentally bump into each other.

4. Make Sure Both Pets Are Comfortable Around Each Other

Sometimes, pets can become stressed out if they aren’t allowed to socialize properly.

This is especially true if they’ve spent most of their lives being kept inside the house, away from people and other animals.

If you think your dog is becoming overly attached to your cat, then you need to work out how to reduce this problem.

The easiest way to do this is to spend time outside together every day.

You could even arrange for a friend or family member to come along so they can interact with each other safely.

Doing this will allow your pet to learn more about other animals and show them that they can trust humans again.

If you’d rather not have your dog and cat come face-to-face, then you could consider getting them separate kennels or cages instead.

When you do this, remember to clean them regularly so that they don’t pick up fleas or ticks.

You could also consider buying a pair of leashes for each pet.

This way, they won’t be able to wander off together.

You can also train your dog not to jump on your cat or vice versa.

The Benefits of Having a Dog and a Cat

There are many benefits to having a dog and a cat.

Having a dog can help you lose weight by providing exercise, walking, and social interactions.

Having a cat helps you sleep better at night because they purr when they are content.

Both dogs and cats have been known to increase the lifespan of their owners.

They also provide companionship for older people who need company.

They don’t require much maintenance in terms of grooming and feeding.

Dogs and cats are good for children as they give them extra attention.

Dogs and cats are great therapy animals.

Dogs and cats can make wonderful pets if you live alone.

They are loyal and loving companions.

The downside of having a Dog That Is Obsessed With Your Cat

There could be a number of reasons why your dog is obsessed with your cat.

Your cat may have a tendency to act aggressively towards your dog.

This can be caused by the cat being territorial, or because they feel threatened by the dog.

Your dog may be frightened of the cat.

This may be because of previous bad experiences with cats, or because the cat has been fed from a bowl while you were out of the room.

You may not realize how much time you spend with your cat and how much this affects your relationship with your dog.

It’s Not About You

Before assuming that your dog is obsessed with your cat, it’s worth considering if there may be an issue between them.

For example, a dog that is jealous of its owner isn’t necessarily going to turn on their owner.

However, it will certainly cause problems for everyone involved.

If you think your dog might be jealous, try the following tips:

Give your dog plenty of opportunities to interact with your cat.

If possible, introduce your dog to your cat in a neutral setting.

Try leaving your dog at home when you take your cat out for walks.

Avoid letting your cat sleep near your dog.

Keep your pet food separate from your human food.

Make Sure They Are Both Comfortable

If your dog and cat live together, there are certain things you should do to ensure both animals are comfortable with one another.

Remove any toys that are dangerous to your cat.

Place your cat’s food bowl away from your dog’s food bowl.

Never leave your dog alone with your cat or vice versa.

Create a designated area where your cat can go to hide if she feels threatened by your dog.

Avoid leaving your dog and cat alone together for long periods of time.

Is There A Possibility Of Injury?

Dogs and cats are different, so it’s important to know what kind of behavior your dog exhibits before thinking about introducing them to your cat.

Some dogs can be aggressive, especially if they’ve had bad experiences with cats in the past.

If your dog is known for aggression towards cats, don’t bring them into contact with your cat until you’re confident they won’t hurt her.

If you think your dog is going to harm your cat, get professional help as soon as you can.

What To Do When Your Dog Gets Aggressive Towards Your Cat

If you think that your dog is going to attack your cat, call someone who knows how to handle aggressive dogs.

Make sure you tell them exactly what happened, and then ask them to come over immediately.

Do not let the dog off leash unless you’re absolutely sure that it’s harmless.

If the dog is still acting aggressively after you’ve told him to stop, use a muzzle or a choke chain to control him.

It Can Be Dangerous For Dogs And Cats

A dog that is obsessed with a cat can become extremely distressed when they see it.

This can lead to them attacking your cat.

If you think your dog is going to harm your cat, call someone who knows how to handle aggressive dogs.

Make sure you tell them exactly what happened, and then ask them to come over immediately.

Don’t allow anyone else to play with your dog when he’s around your cat.

Don’t let your dog roam free during the day.

Take your dog to a vet if he starts exhibiting aggressive behavior.

How To Prevent Your Dog From Being Attracted To Your Cat

One way you can prevent your dog from becoming obsessed with your cat is to keep them well separated from one another.

If your cat is particularly attractive, you might want to consider putting some sort of barrier between them.

Use a leash or collar to restrict access to your cat.

Put up barriers such as fences, gates, or walls.

Provide your dog with his own space.

Related Topics

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For more great articles on pets, animal health, and related topics, check out these links:

Cat Care Guide

Dog Care Guide

Pets 101

Animal Health

Bird Care Guide

Megan Turner

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