Abstract
In the process of domestication, dogs (Canis familiaris) and cats (Felis catus)
have undergone thousands of years of genetic changes that have adapted
them to the human environment. Both species have acquired a global
distribution and it has become quite common to find homes with the two
living side by side. Nevertheless, there is widespread belief that
interspecific communication between dogs and cats is problematic,
stemming from their separate evolutionary development and different
social structures. Consequently, many people considering possible
adoption of both species are concerned about their ability to get along.
Interrelationships
of dogs and cats living together were studied here in an attempt to
determine the main factors influencing the type of relationship likely
to develop between the two species. Two approaches were used: (1) a
questionnaire completed by owners of both dog(s) and cat(s), which
provided a broad database of the animals’ behaviors; and (2)
observations carried out in participants’ homes on their dog–cat
interactions. Two separate ethograms for dogs and cats served for
analyses of their body language. The findings revealed the following:
Both species showed a similar ability to establish a relatively amicable
relationship with the other species; the animals’ gender had little
influence on the nature of their interrelationship; and adoption of the
cat prior to the dog appears to conduce to establishing an amicable
relationship, as does their first encounter taking place at an early age
(up to 6 months of age in cats and up to 1 year in dogs). The findings
also suggest that the majority of these dogs and cats understood the
particular body language displayed by one animal that has an opposite
meaning for the other species; and that the earlier the age of first
encounter between the two, the better this understanding. It can be
concluded that exposure of both species at an early age to the presence
of the other facilitates the learning of each other's body language, and
the consequent establishment of an amicable relationship. A better
understanding of the various factors that contribute to determining the
two species’ relationship should not only improve the quality of life of
these pets, but also reassure and encourage more people to adopt both
cat and dog.
