We’ve all come across the saying, “fight like cats and dogs.” But do these two popular pets truly despise each other as much as we’re led to believe? While cartoons often depict them as arch-enemies, scientific research paints a more nuanced picture.
A survey involving 748 homeowners from the U.K., U.S., Australia, Canada, and Europe revealed that 80% of them reported their cats and dogs got along well. Only 3% experienced significant conflicts between the two species in their homes.
“They are often portrayed as the worst of enemies, but that isn’t always the case,” explained Sophie Hall, the study’s co-author. Despite generally getting along, their interactions aren’t always completely harmonious.
According to The Guardian, “They found that while cats might rightly feel the more nervous of the species, they appeared to have little trouble in asserting themselves.” Homeowners noted that cats were three times more likely to threaten their canine companions and ten times more likely to cause injuries in fights. Additionally, over 20% of the dog owners observed their dogs attempting to play with cats by presenting them with toys, whereas only 6% of cats reciprocated this playful gesture towards dogs.
“It’s easier for dogs to be happier around cats than for cats to be happy around dogs,” Hall mentioned to The Guardian.
The study, published in the Journal of Veterinary Behaviour, suggests that dogs’ longer history of domestication, greater trainability, and better behavioral control contribute to their generally less aggressive nature towards cats. To foster a harmonious relationship between these pets, it’s recommended to introduce cats to dogs while they are young.
“Owners shouldn’t be deterred from having both cats and dogs,” Hall added. “In general, both animals are seen as being really comfortable around each other which goes against what we might think. We shouldn’t think that they can’t live happily together.”
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A perfect illustration of this compatibility is the bond between Nova the dog and Mango the cat. Despite occasional secrecy about their affection, Nova and Mango share a close relationship, often cuddling on the couch.
Nova even takes on the role of grooming Mango, as caught on a video where she is so engrossed in cleaning Mango’s head that she doesn’t notice her owner calling her. This adorable act of love highlights the potential for cats and dogs to coexist peacefully and form loving bonds.