Does your cat defend your house, do they like to play fetch, or beg for treats? Maybe they like to go on walks? Maybe your cat is a dog!
Of course, cats and dogs are clearly different species, so I'm not literally saying your cat is a dog, but there are cats that display some dog-like characteristics! So, lets look into some reasons for a cat acting like a dog!
As Catster.com points out, when someone says their cat acts like a dog, they usually mean that they have a close bond with their cat, and that the cat is friendly toward people. As I've often mentioned here, all cats are individuals and will have different personalities and friendliness, playfulness and loyalty may be thought of as dog-like traits, but those qualities are not reserved just for those of the canine species!
A cat who acts like a dog may have learned some dog-like behavior if you have dogs or if they grew up around dogs. Cats.com points out that cats living with dogs might pick up on behaviors that dogs do that earn them treats or attention and figure that those are good ways to get some treats or attention themselves. This could apply to playing fetch, greeting you at the door, or going for a walk.
Cats that are used to dogs might get so comfortable that they indulge in a cat and dog snuggle now and then too! Catster.com says kittens who are around well behaved dogs are more likely to make friends with dogs as they grow into cats.
You don't often hear of teaching cats tricks, but they are smart and if they are motivated, they can learn tricks that are thought of as dog-like, like shaking hands, high five, sit and stay. Catster.com recommends clicker training if you trying to teach your cat tricks.
You might even have taught your cat a trick even without really meaning to! Most of my cats will chase after a ball, then catch it and play with it themselves, but I had one cat who would fetch and bring back the ball for another round. He learned that if he brought the ball back, I'd throw it again and we could extend our playtime! In the case of a cat that plays fetch like that, it might just be because it's fun, so learning that trick was it's own reward!
Some behaviors that are thought of as dog-like are actually cat-like as well. For example, if your cat guards the house, they are acting like a cat! Cats are territorial, and if they live in your home, that becomes their territory, so it's only natural that they would want to keep an eye on who's coming and going.
Going on a walk might be an extension of that curiousity to keep their eye on their surroundings. They also get some exercise and if your cat does have a dog best friend, they wouldn't want to be left behind!
Begging for food is another example of something that is thought of as dog-like, but applies to many cats as well. Cats are carnivores, so they will be attracted to meat and fish dishes when you are eating, and will often try to get you to give them a taste too. Cats can be pretty insistent beggars, but Catster.com cautions that seasonings like onion and garlic can be toxic for cats, so it's best not to feed them from the table. Even too many cat treats can lead to obesity and health problems, so try to dole out the treats in moderation.
There are cats that are more likely to exhibit dog-like characteristics based on their breed. AuburndaleVets.com list some cat breeds that have dog-like characteristics. Some like to take walks like Manx and Abyssinians. They also say that Maine Coon cats love to play fetch and Turkish Angora cats are very playful, and may even join you for a swim! They also mention Ragdolls are very loyal and snuggly, and if you want a cat who will talk back, Siamese and Burmese cats are particuarly vocal types of cats. So, if you are looking for a cat breed that acts like a dog, check out some of those!
What about you? Does your cat have any dog-like characteristics?
Cover photo by Anusha Barwa on Unsplash
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