Why does cat fear dogs ?

I have had cats and dogs living in harmony in my house provided they grow together. When they meet for the first time they do show signs of not liking each other but that is short lived. Here is an image of our bull terrier and our cat who are sharing a meal.

We don't often think about it though, what we understand is that they always fight each other. Maybe it's the size, dogs are bigger than cats. But there are some homes wherein their pet dog and cat live harmoniously.I prefer dogs than cats, in fact I have two.

i've seen cat facing dog and the dog ran away . lol i dont like pets but my daughter loves cat, dog.. because her i've had a dog, rabitt, guinea pig and hamster. today we have a rabbit and 7 coi carp.

In China,there is an old story saying that an old poor man raised two animals,which were a cat and a dog. The cat was greedy.He often ate better and did less than the dog.as time went by, the man was poorer and poorer.Seeing this the cat left his master,betraying him,but the dog sticked with his master.So people praised the dog and criticized the cat.and the cat felt guilty .So when seeing the dog, the cat fears the dog.

Cat afraid of dog and mouse afraid of cat, this is just a myth. I have a dog who chase after rats all day long and when she see a cat, she will either ignore and avoid if the feline is aggressive. I have kept both before but not at the same time. And yes, I prefer dogs.

I have dog and cat lived shared in one house friendly. Each time I want to feed my dog, I bring inside of my house where there is also cat. It's cat which attacked dog and dog just keep silent. I didn't know exactly why cat came close to dog and clawed it. I think that cat is irritated by the present of dog, since dog is staying out and cat cat staying inside. It was may be the reason of border between cat and dog.

In the wild cats are competition for dogs so of course they're natural enemies. Just because we've domesticated them doesn't change they're basic nature.

I think that cats and dogs are natural enemies and possibly in the past, dogs would go after cats to eat them. They are related to wolves, by the way. And even though the dogs do not eat eats, these animals live by instinct and they, the cats, still feel that the dog across the street will hunt and eat them and so they are wary. I like both cats and dogs. We have a cat who is rather lazy right now and sleeps a lot because she is pregnant, but before she really was into mischief, and still likes to get into things or on things like on top of the piano.

This is a good question. I don't know why dogs and cats are the enemies. I think probably the dogs look like a giant wolves in cats' eyes. Whereas the cats are like the mice in dogs' eyes. I ever had a dog and two cats at home. The dog was nice and seemed to be stupid. As when he wanted to be a good friend to my cats. One of my cat got angry and then bit my dog. This poor dog got a little wound... I love China

I think it depends. I have a cat and she is very comfortable around dogs. I sometimes think that dogs are even the ones who is intimidated. I think it's the size thing. My cat is not that big (they are not meant to be lol) and she can scare little dogs.

I have a dog at home when they see a cat in the yard quite irritating. I do not know why, maybe because each animal kept its territory. I love dogs and cats and both species I like and love them. but our dog because I did not dare to look and cat. nice day!

When dogs can't live with cats or vice versa, that is problem of early socialization. If the mom cat have fears of dog, her children also will. Same is with human child if mom say :" Be careful whit the evil dog!" will have a lifetime fear of dogs :(. Why some mothers are so stupid? Yes I have both and can say they are friends, because they grown up together. If already have dog and wants to have also cat, choose from shelter when have cats and dogs, not only for cats, will have a better chance for amity. If have to find reason in nature, their forefathers a wolf and a wild cat, hunting on same territory. Sorry, I'm not sure about english name of the wild cat (Felis silvestris silvestris) .

I believe it's mainly because of their size. Dogs are generally bigger than cats. That is why they tend to attack cats. I personally like dog better because they are loyal and obedient.