Both cats and dogs have their unique perks as a pet, why wouldn’t you want to adopt both animals?
Plus, real animals are a far cry from the dogs and cats in cartoons who chase each other around for miles every day – if introduced to each other at a young age, most breeds of cat and dog can have an amazing, peaceful and playful relationship with each other.
However, some breeds of cats and dogs just aren’t likely to get along with each other well at all, no matter what you do.
There is a myriad of information out there about dog breeds that don’t get along with cats, but what about cat breeds that don’t get along with dogs? This is what we’re going to take a look at.
The Egyptian Mau
The Egyptian Mau is widely regarded as a peaceful, placid cat. They aren’t directly an aggressive breed of cat.
But, they could easily attack a dog, for protective reasons – an Egyptian Mau does not like anyone to touch their food bowl, bed, toys, or other belongings or objects that they feel attached to.
So even the most friendly dog will find themselves getting swiped at for picking up a Mau’s toy for a game of tug of war.
At best, an Egyptian Mau and a dog living together will tolerate but avoid each other, living together but apart in relative peace in separate areas of the house.
You may find it helpful to use a gate to keep your cat and dog apart if you worry about them, with a changeable breed like the Mau, especially when you aren’t at home. Here are a few we recommend.
The American Wirehair
Another less aggressive breed, the American Wirehair is known to be one of the less affectionate breeds of cats. In general, the American Wirehair is quite indifferent to both dogs and people.
But, if they feel provoked in any way, an American Wirehair will defend themselves stubbornly without backing down. This makes the American Wirehair less suited to living with boisterous, playful dogs whose exciting invitations to come play may easily be misunderstood.
Or, just like the Mau, an American Wirehair may remain indifferent to a dog. If you keep your dog in a pen-like one of these, the dog and the Wirehair cat could interact with each other in a safe way.
The Bengal
A unique breed of cat, the Bengal was originally bred from both the Asian leopard and the domestic house cat and still shows tendencies and traits from both of these breeds.
Yes, the Bengal has the energy and playfulness of the house cat, and may actually occasionally initiate play with a dog they have been raised with and that they regard as their sibling.
But, when a dog, human or other animal is unfamiliar to a Bengal, they are quite likely to hide. Then, if they are pursued by a playful dog, a Bengal cat is likely to feel threatened.
This will cause a Bengal to hiss and raise their hair. They may even take a swipe at the dog.
The Bengal’s large size means that they could cause significant injury in this way. If you are considering keeping a dog with a potentially aggressive cat like this, think about using a crate. Here are some of our favorites.
The Korat
Another very unique and distinctive breed, the Korat has large round eyes and a gorgeous silver coat.
They are much less protective of their bowl and toys than breeds like the Mau or Wirehair and could get along reasonably well with dogs and other animals if they were raised with them from a young age.
But Korats tend to be very frightened by sudden loud noises, like a dog barking at the door or playing with a squeaky toy. A scared Korat may hiss or growl at a dog. So, Korats are unlikely to get along that well with dogs.
The Scottish Fold
With unique folded ears, this cat is a very cute looking breed – but perhaps deceptively so. Sure, they can be very playful and devoted to one or two humans, especially if their humans give them lots of treats.
But they are one of the more aggressive household breeds, barely having time for other fellow cats who might come between the Fold and their human, never mind dogs or even children.
The Singapura
As you might have guessed, originally hailing from the streets of Singapore, the Singapura is a typically asocial breed who might eventually become comfortable with a human or two.
When they are not relaxing, the curious and agile Singapura can be found exploring, checking out your things – trying out the TV remote, rummaging in your drawers, or even climbing up on furniture. A Singapura may even like to play with some dog toys.
But if a Singapura perceives anyone to be standing in the way of this exploration, dog and human alike, this curious cat will ruthlessly swipe them aside.
The Singapura might swipe a dog out of their own basket so they can check it out, for example. Therefore, a Singapura will not get along well with a dog.
The Bombay
With a beautiful sleek black panther-like coat, it’s easy to see why so many people have adopted this soft fluffball of a breed. But there’s just one thing to be aware of with the Bombay – they hate noise. Even having the radio on can send a Bombay hissing to the far corner of the house.
Therefore, even the calmest dog is likely to keep a Bombay perpetually hissing under sofas all day. It’s very unlikely that a Bombay and a dog will ever start to interact with each other in a positive way. They would tolerate and avoid each other at best.
If you do home a Bombay cat with a dog, consider a cat tree or other place where your Bombay could go to chill out.
The Cymric
A Cymric is an interesting cat. They have a shaggy neck mane just like the king of the jungle. But, the Cymric typically acts more like the family dog themselves – this cat is fiercely loyal and playful with its human family, even excelling at more traditionally canine games like fetch.
However, when it comes to other animals – including dogs – the Cymric just isn’t interested in playing with them.
Thankfully a Cymric isn’t likely to be aggressive towards dogs unless they sense that the dog wants to fight. But when they live with a dog, the Cymric tends to be indifferent towards them, constantly ignoring them.
If you adopt a Cymric cat to live with a dog, you might find toys traditionally intended for dogs to play with together – tug toys, for example – help to bring them together.
The Siamese
Remember Si and Am from Lady and the Tramp? These gorgeous unique blue-eyed cats are the Chihuahua of cats, famously unfriendly to all other pets and humans in the household, and usually loyal only to one person.
They aren’t typically aggressive – a Siamese who lives with a dog won’t attack them for no reason. But they tend to ignore a dog, no matter how many balls and toys the dog drops at the Siamese’s bed.
A Siamese should pose no danger to a dog though unless the Siamese perceives the dog to threaten the Siamese’s favorite person.
The Sphynx
Easily the most aggressive cat on this list, this recognizable hairless sourpuss needs to know that they’re the absolute number one priority in their owners’ lives. A Sphynx is only happy when they’re being noticed.
So, if a Sphynx sees you paying more attention to the dog than to them expect negative consequences to ensue. Don’t worry too much though – this cat’s main priority is getting their owners’ constant undivided attention through minor annoyances, not harming other animals.
Conclusion
So, while most cats and dogs can surprisingly get along reasonably well together, some breeds of cats are less suited to living with a dog than others – in fact, some can be pretty aggressive!
But if you are planning on having a dog and cat live together, don’t let this put you off. Even breeds of cats and dogs that shouldn’t be suitable together can actually adore each other after having spent their lives with one another growing up together in the same household.
It depends on both their natural personalities, too – the breed isn’t too important.
By Michelle McDaid