Top 10 why does my dog act like a cat You Need To Know

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Introduction

Have you ever seen your
dog perch himself on the arm of a couch? Does he chase lights or laser dots?
Does he floppily lay down and give no effort to his form? Does he walk across
your lap like you’re just another piece of furniture? Has he jumped on
furniture, like a table, just to walk across it? Can he curl up in a ball,
ready to sleep anywhere? Has he ever purred?

If you answered yes to
any of those, it’s very possible you have a dog that acts like a cat. Don’t
worry, this is not a cat-atsrophe, you still have a dog.

The Root of the Behavior

Some dog breeds are more cat-like than others. If you’re strictly a dog lover and think cats are only good for scratching, being picky, chasing mice, dismissing you, and jumping on furniture, you’re missing some of the good qualities. Cat characteristics that make them loveable include loyalty, affection, cuddling, assertive, self-confident, and smart. You might be thinking that your dog has those characteristics, too, but some dog breeds have these to the point where their behavior mimics a cat. 

Dogs like Vizsla, Basenji, Shetland Sheepdog, Manchester Terrier, Italian Greyhound, Whippet, Poodle, Mi-Ki, and Shiba Inu are more likely to demonstrate cat-like behavior than other breeds. These dogs can have cat-like lounging and grooming behaviors, too. Cats also have a tendency to think they run the show and are very self-assured, which some of these breeds also demonstrate.

If you don’t have one of those breeds, but your dog still acts like a cat, it might be because of a feline-canine cohabitation or even friendship. Both cats and dogs can pick up each other’s behaviors, and their humans, too. Mimicry is when a dog mimics the behavior of another. Dogs can also experience emotional contagion, which is when emotions seen in one dog are passed to another. Humans experience this too; you smile when someone else smiles or if someone is laughing and in a good mood, you laugh, too.

Research shows that dogs who are familiar with other dogs or humans mimic the behaviors more. While there is no definitive research or even hypothesis as to why your dog is acting like a cat, it could be that he is mimicking the behavior he sees. Your dog might watch your cat lay on the arm of the couch or even the top of the couch and think it looks comfy. Suddenly, that’s his new favorite spot. He might watch your cat’s grooming habits and start feeling undergroomed, so maybe he starts grooming himself more. If Garfield sits on your lap and gets petted by you for a long time, your dog probably wants some of that too, which is why the oversized canine climbs into your lap. He wants some snuggles, too! As your dog sees these behaviors and the potential benefits, he tries them himself. 

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Encouraging the Behavior

You might be a dogs rule and cats drool kind of person, but somehow ended up with a dog who acts like a cat. This means you might get more snuggles, lots of loyalty, a distinct and self-assured dog personality, and a very affectionate pup. That’s some pretty sweet stuff.

Like everything, too much of something is not always good. Some undesirable cat behaviors can include jumping on the counter or tables, running the household, sitting in inappropriate places, and being too smart and self-assured. If your dog has these behaviors, you might find yourself with a very large, defiant cat. One distinct difference between dogs and cats is dogs are much more easily trained.

You want to discourage these behaviors. Your dog shouldn’t be jumping on your dining room table or kitchen counter, climbing to the top of furniture, or sitting in your lap if he’s 50 pounds. And while cats can assert themselves and are clever, they are also small and run away if scared. Your cat might assert himself to own the house by climbing on things, peeing outside the litterbox, or getting under your feet until he gets a treat. However, if your dog demonstrates these behaviors, it’s signs of dominance and this is where the cat-like behavior needs to be altered.

You don’t want to create a situation where your dog is the Alpha in the household. If your dog is demonstrating a behavior that you do not like, you need to train him to stop. Cat owners typically have a spray bottle of water or noises cats don’t like to deter them from their behavior, but the truth is these will probably not work on your dog. Even if your dog acts like a cat, you need to have specific dog training techniques to eliminate unwanted behaviors.

Other Solutions and Considerations

Every animal has a distinct personality and if your dog tends to think he’s a cat, it’s just part of who is he. Maybe he purrs, maybe he snuggles, or maybe he just wants you to scratch his head. It’s what you allow as a dog owner that decides what behaviors are acceptable or unacceptable. Unless he’s doing damage, being unnecessarily aggressive or dominant, or is making himself unhealthy, there isn’t too much cause for concern.

If a negative behavior is happening, however, take him to the vet or a trainer for tips or a check up. Your dog is still a dog and has different needs than a cat and he should respond to dog behavior training. 

Conclusion

Your dog might be purrfect as a cat and you’ll just have to love him as he is. Make sure you are still in charge and you can have kitty cat-like snuggles all the time. The Disney film “The Aristocats” made an excellent point that your dog probably picked up on, “Everybody wants to be a cat, because a cat’s the only cat who knows where it’s at.” 

By a Miniature Yorkie lover Stephanie Molkentin

Published: 02/15/2018, edited: 01/30/2020

What do you think?

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Frequently Asked Questions About why does my dog act like a cat

If you have questions that need to be answered about the topic why does my dog act like a cat, then this section may help you solve it.

I don’t have a cat, so why does my dog behave like one?

Although there is no conclusive research or even a hypothesis as to why your dog is acting like a cat, it is possible that he is imitating the behavior he sees. Research shows that dogs who are familiar with other dogs or humans mimic the behaviors more.

Which dog breed most closely resembles a cat?

The basenji is the breed that most closely resembles a cat; he is active, affectionate, and reserved around strangers, but he chooses one human to form a close bond with; he is also an extremely devoted dog.

Why does my dog think he’s a cat?

Is it because he or she was raised in a home with cats that my dog grooms itself like a cat would? A: Dogs don’t groom themselves like cats would. If your dog is “bathing” or “licking” certain areas of their skin, it’s more likely that they have an allergic itch than that they are trying to groom themselves.

My dog, does it think it’s a cat?

Science of Dogs Behaving Like Cats Dogs do not actually sit there believing they are cats, but they may exhibit certain feline traits due to the presence of cats in their environment and the effect this has on their behavior.

What can I do to teach my dog to dislike cats?

Every time your dog ignores the cat, lavishly praise him and give him a treat. Repeat this training method until your dog learns that whenever he sees your cat, rewards are forthcoming from you if he looks away from the cat.

Why does my dog behave like a baby human?

Research has shown that if a human demonstrated a task for a dog, the dog could still complete the task by imitating a human. Dogs not only mimic their fellow canine’s behavior when being trained, but they have also been shown to mimic human behavior.

Which dog breed grooms itself like a cat?

According to DiNardo, the Japanese Chin, a breed known for grooming itself like a cat, can even develop hairballs. Japanese Chins particularly enjoy licking their paws to clean them rather than just to relieve irritation or heal a wound, as other dog breeds do, she says.

Why does my dog rub up against me like a cat?

When it comes to dogs, cuddling isn’t just about warmth; it’s also a way to show affection. In fact, cuddling, and showing affection in general, is one way that our dogs strengthen their bond with us.

Do dogs really enjoy being pet?

Do dogs like to be pet all the time once they know you? For the most part, dogs do like to use petting as a way to bond with their owner. According to Paws for People, “It’s well-known (and scientifically proven) that interaction with a gentle, friendly pet has significant benefits” for both the human and the dog.

Do dogs believe people to be canines?

Do dogs think humans are dogs? The short answer is probably not. Beyond occasionally wanting us to roll in the mud with them and get as excited about the dog park, they probably don’t think of us as tall, hairless doggos with a source of dog treats.

Do dogs consider us to be their pets?

It turns out that dogs depend more on humans than they do their own kind for affection, protection, and everything in between, which is good news for all dog owners. Not only do dogs seem to love us back, they actually see us as their family.

Do dogs really watch television?

Dog eyes are very different from human eyes, so they perceive things on TV differently. Dogs absolutely can see TV, and many seem to enjoy it. There are a number of features about television shows that dogs find appealing. Some of these are visual, such as motion, while others relate to the sounds coming from the TV.

What do dogs contemplate all day long?

Like humans, Bray notes that how much time a dog spends contemplating a particular focus “depends on the dog and their individual preferences and experiences,” adding that dogs “probably think about all the staples in their lives, from food and play to other dogs and their pet parents.”

Do dogs understand that we aren’t animals?

Again, just because your dog recognizes that you’re not a dog doesn’t mean he doesn’t identify with you or have a strong bond. Humans and dogs smell, look, and behave differently, so when you interact with your dog, he’s clearly getting the signal that you’re a human, not a canine.

When we talk, what do dogs hear?

When the scientists compared the human- and dog-directed speech, they found that, as expected, the women spoke in distinctive, high-pitched, sing-song tones to the pooches?but not the humans. “It didn’t matter if it was a puppy or an adult dog,” Mathevon says.

Do dogs ever lose sight of you?

If you’re wondering if your dog misses you while you’re gone, they don’t have any sense of time but can experience separation anxiety. So long as a dog can smell, has healthy eyes, and can hear, they will most likely remember you no matter how long you’ve been out of their life.

Do dogs believe you will never return home?

Dogs clearly miss their owners more than anyone else, and will wait behind the door they left through in anticipation of their return, according to a study that looked at how dogs behaved with people of varying levels of familiarity, including their owner, a stranger, and a familiar human.

Do dogs believe we are permanently lost?

Your dog will likely act as if you are leaving them forever, widening their eyes, whimpering, and appearing to believe that this is it—they will be alone forever—whether you are leaving for a day or just to use the restroom.

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