How do I Know If My Dog And Cat Are Playing Or Fighting?

As a pet owner with a dog and cat in our home, I usually worry about their relationship when I am away. While some dogs and cats can live together peacefully, it may be quite different for others.

For instance, my dog, Jack is playful and does not allow Princess, the cat to stay alone for long. He always finds way to keep my poor cat on her toes. How do I know if my dog and cat are playing or fighting?

As your pets grow, their body language differences become more and more clear and they can have difficulties understanding each other.

Dogs can play with cats, but how do I know when it is time to intervene and stop this “play” from turning into a fight? As a pet parent, understanding the warning signs given off is quite important and I have to be observant.

This is necessary to ensure that your pets have a good relationship and can get along well. This article is for pet parents who would like to get the best tips on how their pets can build a better relationships.

The Simple Fact

Truth is, it can be quite difficult to know when your dogs and cats are fighting or if they are just playing. Sometimes, you may not even be able to tell when their play has become too violent and should be stopped.

Here are some signs that you have to look out for:

Playing:

When dogs are playing, they use some exaggerated positions such as bowing.
For cats, the “elevator-butt” pose comes in handy before they swipe at the dog’s waiving tail or before pouncing on your dog
To initiate play, the dog or cat may pretend to be subordinate
Like cats, dogs may also roll onto their back to entice the cat to play.
Dogs and cats “bite” with their mouths open so that they do not cause any harm. Also, the bat and paw without using too much force.
While playing, dogs and cats make fewer sounds.

Fighting

You will notice that one pet tries to run away from the other.
The ear of the cat may lay flat towards either side of his head
Cats arch their backs and their hair stands
You will notice aggressive postures when a cat is batting at the dog alongside extended claws.
Yelps or cat screams when your dog bites your cat too hard
If it’s a fight, your dog will constantly growl in an extended low pitch, snarl, and show its teeth
Cats hiss, spit or emit a guttural growl during a fight

When you notice that your cat and dog are engaged in a serious fight, it is important to separate them at once. If they still continue to fight, it is advised to reintroduce them again.

However, in the case where they do not see eye to eye and cannot get along even after many months or years, the best thing to do is keep them apart, preferably in separate homes.

Are they playing in turns?

If your dog agrees to play with your cat or vice versa, then it is normal for them to take turns in play fighting. Your dog may mouth the cat playfully without using its teeth and your cat may swipe or pounce on your dog but with retracted claws.

Also, you may hear some noise from your dog while your cat remains silent. During play, both pets can take turns at chasing each other. If you have observed this, then it’s a good indication that your pets are getting along very well.

Regardless, do not overlook certain signs that your dog or cat may give off such as growling or hissing. This means that they may feel threatened or uncomfortable. Once you see your cat extending its claws or your dog showing its teeth, separate them immediately.

More subtle signs that your cat is preparing for a real fight or flight

Some other visible signs to know if your cat is getting ready for a fight include:

Fur standing up
Arched back
Ears lying flat or turned backward
Thrashing tail
Hissing

A cat hissing simply means that the cat is not comfortable. In this same way, dogs growl to show discomfort as well.

As a pet parent, I can tell you that the importance of knowing these behavioral signs cannot be overemphasized. Not only does it help me understand my pets, but it also influences my reaction to things that they do. Once you know your pets well, you can rest assured that your home will be more peaceful for you and your pets.

Summary

One thing that makes pet parents extremely happy is when they see their cats and dogs living together in peace and harmony.

Not only is this a good thing for you as the pet parent, but it is also entertaining for the pets as well as they can play with each other and keep themselves company, especially in your absence.

Frequently Asked Questions
How do you know if a dog and cat get along?

According to a new study, it has been noted that dogs respond more to the sounds that cats make rather than their smell or sight.

This means that you can tell whether or not a dog will interact well with a cat by simply playing a recording of cat sounds in the meet and greet. While playing the recording, observe how the dog reacts.

How long does it take for a dog to get used to a cat?

Usually, some dogs are able to get along with cats in a few days. According to Liz Palika, the “get acquainted” process, in her own experience, takes two to three weeks.

However, there are some cats and dogs that can never get along and it can be quite challenging to whether or not your dog and cat are getting along through their interactions with each other.