How to Stop Dog Aggression Towards Cats: Safe & Effective Methods

Are you a pet parent to both canines and felines? Well, then you’re well aware of the struggle to keep them sane within the same household. Heard the phrase “Cats and dogs”? Now you know where it came from.

You might be wondering whether there’s even a way to solve this problem. It seems like you’re in luck. We’re here with some pretty effective suggestions to bring both of them under control.

Curious? Let’s dig in.

Causes of Dog Aggression Towards Cats

Dogs and cats don’t come from the same family. They are two entirely different species. So, most of the time, they do not get along well. Again, both of them are fond of their owners’ attention. Thus, there’s quite a bit of jealousy in place as well. 

Some of the common reasons why dogs show signs of aggression toward cats are as follows:

Fear-based Aggression: It sounds weird, but dogs do show aggression towards cats out of fear. They’re scared that the cat will take their owner's attention from them. Sometimes, they also fear that the cat might harm them in some way. That is why they show fear aggression towards the cat.  

Territorial Behavior: Dogs are territorial in nature. That means that they are very possessive about their territory and don’t like anyone else’s presence in their spot. Hence, anyone residing in their territory has to face their territorial aggression. 

Lack of Socialization: Many pet dogs don’t usually have the option to socialize with other animals. They are confined within the walls of the house. Hence, they are not quite acquainted with other animals and their nature. So, they instinctively act aggressively around them.

Past Negative Experiences: If your dog has ever had a negative encounter with a cat, that can be a big reason for its negative behavior toward your cat. Due to past experience, the dog considers the cat their enemy, and that’s where the aggressive attitude comes from.

Steps to Stop Dog Aggression Towards Cats

Now, let’s talk business. We know you’ve been struggling to act as a referee between your dog and cat. Let’s cut your struggles short. Here are the strategies you need to follow to control your dog’s aggressive behavior towards your cat.

Implementing Strategies: Immediate Solutions

The following strategies are the ones that will help you when your dog is attacking your cat:

Separate Immediately with Barriers

First things first, separate them. Put the cat in its box and leash your dog. Basically, that’s what you do when you act like a referee in a fight; separating whenever things get too out of control.

Safe Zones

It is better to create permanent barriers between these pets so that they have their own safe zones. For example, baby gates, crates, or pens between their spots would be better. Designating separate rooms would be even better. Getting a cat tree might also do the trick. The cat will be able to climb high from the dog's reach.

"Look at That" “Stay” “Come” Command

Teach your cat and dog to understand your commands. Start with the basics, such as saying, ‘Look at that, ’ ‘Stay, ’ and ‘Come.’ React positively when they act according to your commands. This way, they will start grasping what you’re asking them to do and start obeying it. So, when you command them to stop fighting, they’ll more likely listen to you.

Leashed Introductions

It is necessary for your pets to get acquainted with each other and get used to one another’s presence. However, such an introduction can initially end up in blood spilling. So, what you can do is introduce them while they are leashed. In this way, they won’t take off each others’ skin but gradually get used to each other.

Training and Behavior Modification: Long-Term Solutions

Now, let’s talk about what you should do in the long run to prevent such aggressive situations from taking place. Try these -

Positive Reinforcement

It has always been one of the most useful techniques to make your pet behave. This is also the fastest solution to make them do what you want. Whenever your dog behaves appropriately or treats your cat indifferently, reward it with lots of treats, toys, or extra play time. It will gradually sway towards the non-offensive approach towards the cat to have the rewards.

Desensitization

This is the hard way of reducing aggression in dogs for your cat. This is more like an obedience training strategy. To implement it, you need to keep one of your cats, preferably a docile one, in a hard-sided carrier and engage it with a toy or catnip. 

Then, introduce the dog in the same room and play with it. Whenever the dogs try to approach the cat aggressively, stand between them and, with your body language, ask the dog to stay away. Reward it when it acts nicely around the cat.

Resource Management

It is your responsibility to ensure that the resources of the felines and canines are separated and protected. Resources such as treats, toys, cribs, leashes, carriers, or crates for the cats should not be accessible to the dogs and vice versa. One pet interfering with another’s resources can easily lead to a fight between them.

Crate Training

Train your dog to find more comfort in its crate. Make its crate comfortable and peaceful so it doesn’t feel imprisoned. Pamper the dog with treats and water and pet it while it's in the crate. Create a sense where it feels the crate is its home and it should come out only during play time. In this way, during this training session, you only have to monitor the dog during play time when it's out of the crate.

Avoid Punishment

Punishments are never a healthy solution. Also, it might work otherwise. If you punish your dog in front of the cat, it might become more aggressive as well as offended. It might even become rebellious and disobedient towards you. Hence, even if you feel annoyed or furious about your dog’s actions, don’t punish it. Instead, reward it when it listens to your commands.

Vet Check & Professional Help

Sometimes, when aggression is triggered by a medical issue or past traumatic experience, it becomes impossible to control it without professional help. So, if you see that even after trying all the above techniques, nothing’s helping reduce your dog’s violent behavior toward the cat, consult a vet, animal behaviorist, or professional dog trainer about the situation.

Final Call

Don’t sweat it. Always remember that time heals everything. Your dog’s behavior toward your cat will also get better with time. You just have to be careful till then so the dog doesn’t hurt your cat mentally or physically during this period of time.

Another thing you need to remember is that the dog might not be the only one responsible. Try to observe if your cat is teasing your dog, too. If so, then only training your dog won’t be enough. 

Your pets can’t outsmart you. So, be strategic for now, and soon you’ll have one happy big family. You’ll miss them fighting, then. 

Thus, enjoy it while you can!