LoveMaPets

One of my dogs is always very protective of my kitten and often sleeps with her at her side. I think it's cute but the old myth about dogs and cats being enemies comes to my mind. So is this normal? Is it just a maternal instinct?

cream

It really depends on the animals. I have had cats and dogs both that dont get along with one another, and then some that do. Right now the outside dog I have loves to chase the outside cats, but only in a playful manner nothing like fighting or anything along those lines. My dog thinks that cats are just small fluffy dogs.

Siamese

I've had cats and dogs that have gotten along before, too. Sure, it could seem crazy or they may still have spats, but the old "myth" is really just a stereotype. Some fit it to a tee...while others break it for a more loving relationship with each other.

puppylove

My oldest used to cuddle with my Holland Lop rabbit. They used to wrestle and play together all the time. Each animal is different and will respond differently. There are plenty of animals that are naturally enemies in the wild who get along.

MarleysMama

aw, that sounds like misdirected mothering instinct. I think it's more common than you think, and generally if the kitten in introduced to an older dog, that they will be life friends so long as the dog is willing.

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-Mama to 1 fur baby (purr) and 2 human babies (mew-mew)

puppylove

I sounds like misdirected mothering until you take into account it was a 6yr old neutered male mothering a 3yr old stud bunny. He used to carry around my best friend's kitten the week we babysat him too though. I think he just thought it was a stuffed animal that moved since he cuddles his stuffed animals too.

Pet'sBestFriend

I think animals are just like humans, sometimes people will get along and sometimes, if not most often, they disagree and have wars. My neighbor adopted a stray baby cat. They already have 2 dogs and one of the dogs is a female. Even though the she-dog doesn't have milk, she breast-feed the baby cat. I think animals also have the ability to care other animals that are not of their kind.

cream

My dog would play with the cats, if the cats would allow it. Most of the time they just run from him since he wants to almost pounce on them. Could you imagine a dog that large trying to play with a cat?