If your dog has been sitting on your cat, this post will show you likely reasons why and what you can do about them.
So, why does my dog sit on my cat? Likely reasons why your dog sits on your cat are that your dog is being dominant or that your dog is preventing your cat from moving as your dog sees it as prey or a threat.
There are a number of possible causes and it could be due to a combination of them. However, there are some things you can consider to help figure out the main cause and there are some things you can do about it.
Why does my dog sit on my cat?
Below are likely reasons why your dog sits on your cat and what would make each of them more likely.
Dominant behavior
If your dog has been sitting on your cat in a way that prevents your cat from moving, it is likely that your dog has been doing it due to dominant behavior. This would be more likely if your dog has also been aggressive towards your cat and your dog does things such as prevent your cat from sitting in certain spots or entering certain rooms.
In this case, it would help to separate them where possible and to give your cat places it can go that are away from your dog.
Your dog is being affectionate
It could be the case that your dog has been doing it due to affection. This would be more likely if your cat is able to move away, your dog sleeps next to your cat and your dog licks your cat.
Playing
A possible cause is that your dog is playing with your cat. This would be more likely if your dog shows signs of excitement such as wagging its tail when it sits on your cat. In this case, it could also be the case that your dog is being dominant towards your cat and it would also help to give your cat places it can go that are away from your dog.
Prey drive
It could also be the case that your dog sees your cat as prey and your dog is sitting on your cat in order to prevent your cat from doing anything. This would be more likely if your dog also chases your cat around and if your dog can be aggressive towards your cat.
Things to consider
Below are some things to consider to help figure out the main cause.
If your dog has always sat on your cat
If your dog has not always sat on your cat, it would help to consider what else happened when your dog first started doing it. If your dog started doing it suddenly, it might be the case that your dog started doing it due to your cat being aggressive towards it or because your dog actually started being affectionate towards your cat.
The timing of when your dog sits on your cat
It would also help to consider the timing of when your dog sits on your cat since the timing might have something to do with it. For example, if your dog sits on your cat when your cat tries to sit in a certain spot, it could be the case that your dog is trying to claim that spot as its own.
How your cat interacts with your dog
It would also help to consider how your dog interacts with your cat. If your dog is often aggressive towards your cat, it would be more likely that your dog is doing it because it is being dominant. Whereas, if your dog often is affectionate towards your cat, it would be more likely that your dog is trying to show your cat affection.
How to stop my dog from sitting on my cat?
Below are some options you have when dealing with the behavior.
Avoid encouraging the behavior
It might be the case that your dog has learned that the behavior gets rewarded. Instead, it would help to get your dog off your cat when it does it and then to give your dog a “time out” and to avoid giving it any attention until it starts being well behaved.
Separate them
If it seems like your dog might be aggressive towards your cat, it would help to keep them separated whenever possible. This is especially the case when feeding them since dogs can become aggressive towards cats when eating.
Give your dog somewhere else to sit
It would also help to ensure that your dog has places where it can sit or lay down.
Give your cat somewhere else to go
It would also help to ensure that your cat has places that it can go to that your dog cannot. Cats often like spots that are high up since dogs cannot get there.