So why do dogs and cats have this stereotypical relationship as enemies? We see it over and over in books, television, and film — think about Garfield and Odie, for example.
Most dogs can learn to tolerate cats. It depends largely on the dog’s prey drive.
Canines are predators. They chase and catch smaller animals for food; even thousands of years of domestic life can’t quite change that instinct to chase. Selective breeding has enhanced that trait in some dogs, and faded it in others. For instance, many terriers have high prey drives, as they were bred to be hunting dogs. In other dogs, the instinct has been modified. Herding breeds have the urge to chase and gather, rather than chase and catch and eat. Sighthounds like greyhounds are inclined to chase smaller, moving objects.
Want to see prey drive in action? Toss a toy around and see what happens. Many dogs will chase it, catch it, and shake it to kill it. This is instinctive behavior.
Movement is what triggers the prey drive. Anything that moves quickly past and away — like a ball, a child, a bicycle, or a car — can kick instinct into overdrive. A dog that may ignore a cat who is sitting still might just start the chase if the cat is running past.
Cats are natural predators, too. However, a cat isn’t often likely to have its prey drive triggered by a moving dog simply because of size. Smaller creatures, like mice and insects, will often lead to a pounce. And the two species hunt in different ways. A dog will chase and catch; a cat may stalk and pounce.
With time and patience, you can teach your cats and dogs to cohabitate. They may not ever become best friends, but they can learn to ignore each other.