Pets Sleep Together: Are They Pals?

By nature, dogs are predators and often chase things smaller than them—including cats. However, this does not mean that dogs and cats are not able to live in harmony. As the two most common household pets, the way dogs and cats relate to each other have a lot to do with their temperament, and whether either have any adverse reactions to members of different species in the past had.

For example, a dog raising his paw to a cat may mean he wants to play, but a cat can take it as a sign of an attack, prompting the cat to swat her paw at the dog, sending her into a hissing fit. Likewise, a cat that tries to rub up against a dog may be acting friendly, but a dog can interpret that as a threat—especially if the cat is near his toys or food—and can cause the dog to growl or bark.

People think that their cats or dogs like each other but they aren't sure. They sometimes point out that their pets sleep together, but does that mean they're best friends? It may be so, but it doesn't necessarily. They could just be sharing beds because it's comfortable or convenient. True "friends," actively seek each other and hang out, play together, and perform affiliative gestures such as mutual grooming.