My Dog Killed a Cat! 7 Vet-Reviewed Tips on What to Do Next
By Kit Copson
Updated on
As animal lovers, we hope never to encounter a situation in which our pet kills or injures another, whether that’s another of our pets, a neighbor’s pet, a stranger’s pet, or a stray. Unfortunately, dogs kill cats occasionally, and in many cases, the dog owner is completely blindsided and cannot understand why their usually sweet dog would kill a cat.
Before we get into tips on what to do next if your dog has killed a cat, let’s explore why this may have happened in more depth. It’s vital to understand your dog better and determine why they attacked a cat.
Why Would My Dog Kill a Cat?
Though many dogs and cats get along perfectly well, in some cases, things can turn nasty without warning. Perhaps the dog became overwhelmed by an instinctive prey drive while chasing a cat, or they played with a cat too roughly, which resulted in tragedy. It’s also possible that the dog got into a fight with the cat and overpowered them.
This kind of incident occurs most commonly because the dog may not be used to cats, is not socialized with other animals, feels threatened with the cat’s presence, especially around food sources or toys, has underlying health or behavioral issues, or has a strong chasing instinct.
First, this doesn’t mean your dog is “evil” or a “bad dog.” Your dog was likely acting on their instincts and should not be punished. If you try to punish your dog, they won’t be able to comprehend why. In short, your dog didn’t know any better.
Furthermore, it does not necessarily mean your dog will attack you, someone else, or a child. However, it’s important always to supervise children around dogs to be on the safe side and speak with a professional behaviorist if you have concerns about aggression. Dogs may exhibit sudden aggression due to pain or illness, and it’s essential to get them examined by veterinarians in case of any changes in their behavior.
How Can I Stop My Dog From Killing Cats?
A veterinarian will rule out any underlying health issues or pain that may have caused a change in the dog’s demeanor or may have led to sudden aggression. A professional behaviorist can advise you on how to train your dog to prevent them from chasing cats and harming them in the future. Unfortunately, if your dog has killed a cat once, it’s very possible that they could do it again, so you must do everything you can to prevent a future occurrence.
This includes always keeping cats away from your dog, as well as the other way around, and making sure your dog is supervised at all times and on a leash when out on the street or even in a yard that isn’t secure or where there is a risk of cats entering.
Teach your dog the “leave it” command so they don’t act out of excitement at the sight of other animals or objects. Be sure to reward good behavior. This is an ongoing process that, in most cases, requires help from a professional, so it’s vital to dedicate the time and patience to training your dog every day, particularly from a very young age. Socializing them around various animals, people, and circumstances will help to build their confidence and reduce their excitement when encountering something unfamiliar and new while focusing on recall.
The 7 Tips on What to Do When Your Dog Killed a Cat
1. Move the Body to a Safe Place
When you find the cat, move them somewhere safe before you do anything else. Remember that this is likely someone’s beloved pet, and they should be treated with dignity. Perhaps wrap them in a blanket and put them in a box until they can be returned to the owner. If the cat is still alive, rush them to the emergency vet’s office immediately.
2. Inform the Owner
If you know who the owner is, the first step you should take is to let them know as soon as possible. As hard as it will be to inform a friend, family member, or neighbor what has happened, it’s the right thing to do. Be considerate and tactful in how you let them know, and always do so in person, if possible, as a matter of respect.
Even though what happened wasn’t your dog’s fault, you are the one who needs to take responsibility for it. It will still be difficult for the cat’s owner, and they should be treated with sensitivity. Dogs can be unpredictable, even if you have had them for years and enrolled them in training classes. As a dog parent, you are fully responsible for all of their actions.
You’ll have to be ready for the owner to be devastated and, possibly, angry at you for the situation. Also, this is not professional legal advice, but the owner may attempt to take legal action against you. We would advise that you speak to a legal counselor if it seems like that’s a possibility.
3. Offer to Pay for Burial/Cremation
If the cat belonged to someone else, it’s a good idea to offer to pay for the cat’s burial or cremation if possible. If this isn’t necessary, perhaps offer to help in any way you can. Though this won’t change what has happened, it’s a way of showing the owner that you care and regret what happened.
4. Block Access to Your Yard
If a cat was killed due to entering your yard, the dog may have been overcome by territorial instincts. It’s essential to do everything you can to ensure cats cannot enter your property in the future, like securing the fencing or even creating a safe, fully fenced-off area for your dog to exercise without worry.
Supervise your dog while they are in the backyard. Likewise, it’s important for your neighbors to keep their cats off of your property, but as you know, cats are not bound by fences and will explore any areas they like. If your dog is not good with other animals due to previous unpleasant life experiences, lack of socializing, or any other reason, inform your neighbors so they are aware of the risks, and they may decide to keep their cats indoors or build a secure catio.
5. Get the Microchip Checked
If you do not know whose cat your dog has killed, contact your vet and ask to bring the cat in to have their microchip checked. If they are microchipped, scanning the chip will identify the owner.
6. Contact an Animal Protection Organization
If you cannot get in touch with or go to a veterinary clinic to get an unknown cat’s microchip checked, try contacting an animal protection organization or a shelter—they may be able to advise you on what to do next.
7. Take Steps to Protect Other Cats
If you have cats in your home, make sure the dog cannot access them under any circumstances. When walking your dog in the street, keep them on a leash in case they lunge at a cat in a nearby yard or a cat that gets too close. Only take the leash off in cat-free areas like the local dog park.
Speak to a veterinarian and a behaviorist to get to the root of the problem so this does not happen again, and sign up for training classes that deal with reactivity or aggression. It’s important to never leave the dog unattended with your cat(s) inside the home or the yard and to ensure the dog is in a comfortable, safe, and enclosed environment overnight, such as a large crate.
Conclusion
If your dog has killed a cat, we’re sorry—not only for the cat and the cat’s owner but also for you, as we know this is every caring dog parent’s worst nightmare. The best thing you can do now is try to help the cat’s owner in any way you can and take steps to ensure this doesn’t happen again. A dog cannot be blamed for acting on instinct, and it is the owner’s responsibility to control the dog at all times and to accept the consequences of the dog’s actions if left unattended.
It’s essential to speak with your veterinarian and a professional behaviorist for the best possible advice on understanding your dog’s attitude towards cats.
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Featured Image Credit: Piqsels
