Why does my dog act like a cat? If you’re wondering that, don’t skip this article!
You’ve certainly seen some dogs that reproduce similar behaviors to their feline friends, such as chasing lasers, climbing windows, and fluffing the pillow before bed. As unusual as these behaviors may seem, it is not uncommon to find dogs that act like cats.
Is your dog reproducing some common cat habits, like cleaning himself a lot, climbing on furniture, and even purring? If so, read on and check out some reasons why this could be happening to your pup.
Why does my dog act like a cat?
1. Your dog lives with cats
If your dog lives with one or more cats, these unusual behaviors certainly come from this daily contact with their feline siblings. Dogs live in a pack and therefore reproduce the behaviors of their family all the time. Therefore, as the cat is inserted into their routine, your dog can begin to adopt specific characteristics and behaviors.
2. Observation and jealousy
Dogs are super intelligent and observant animals, so if they notice that the cats’ behaviors produce positive results, such as getting more affection, treats, or attention, they will likely reproduce the same behaviors to gain the same attention from their owners.
If your cat usually fluffs the pillow before sleeping next to you, and you always offer him a cuddle, your dog can do the same to earn the reward.
Read more: Benefits of a Structured Dog Walk
3. Some dog breeds are more cat-like
If your dog doesn’t have a feline sibling but still acts like a cat, it could be that he belongs to a cat-like breed of dog. Yes! That’s what you just read.
Some dogs that behave similarly to cats: Manchester Terriers, Vizlas, Poodles, Basenjis, Italian Greyhounds, Shiba Inus, Whippets, Shetland Sheepdogs, and Mi-Kis.
Tally, the dog who thinks she’s a cat!
Tally is a female Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamute mix. The dog became an internet sensation after her owner posted her photos claiming that she thinks she is a cat.
The dog reproduces all kinds of feline behaviors, like playing in boxes and staring at nothing. Even the way she sits is like a cat.
The reason for this behavior is likely Tally’s creation. The dog was raised in the company of several kittens, when she lived with her previous owners. Because of her upbringing, Tally is extremely silent.
A dog that reproduces the same behaviors as cats is not something that should be alarming or concerning, unless it has a more serious reason behind it, such as anxiety or stress. Other than that, if your dog has unique cat-like features, know that he’s certainly not the only one.
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