Don't worry, I normally feed everyone seperately. Cats get cat food and the dogs get dog food. But when I slip up, the dogs wait patiently till the cats are done with the dog food, or I remove the cats. Then - alpha dog (basenji) eats, then second in command dog (JR mix) gets to eat. One growl would send the cats running, at least I think that would happen. Or are my dogs altrustic towards their cats. Or are they wussie dogs?
2006-07-26 11:19:52 · 8 answers · asked by Alice Chaos 6 in Pets ➔ Dogs
They are either being generous (which I doubt) or they are actually subordinate to the cats. You can never quite be sure about dog behavior though...
I knew an Akita that hated everone and everything. But every morning he would actually spread out his dog food in his outdoor pen and then lie in the corner to watch the wild birds come and eat it. He never chased them or tried to hurt them - I guess he just liked the company. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes.
2006-07-26 13:56:33 · answer #1 · answered by Danger, Will Robinson! 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It could be a combination of both. We have 2 dogs and a cat. usually they can hardly sit still to eat and go for it like they need to finish it befor ethe other does. Occasionally the cat will go up to the bowl as if it is hers. They wait patiently like maybe it isnt their food..when it really isnt hers. Other times when they are already eating she will come up to the bowl and they will flash some teeth (which she isnt scared of) and then they will continue eating. its a weird thing, kind of fun to watch.
2006-07-26 18:27:03 · answer #2 · answered by Ember B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree that in the scheme of things, the Basenji thinks the cats are above him in the pack. That's okay - your cats might have given him the message that that's the way it is!
2006-07-26 18:55:07 · answer #3 · answered by tampamar 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your 'alpha dog' probably views the cats as higher up in rank than him. In wolf packs, the alpha member gets to eat first, and dogs have been programmed to view the entire household as a pack with you as the leader. Therefore he probably views your cats as his superior.
2006-07-26 18:25:35 · answer #4 · answered by Isis-sama 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your " alpha dog" is more than likely responding to your cats as his " young" and its his duty to protect and ensure their growth as vital members of the packs future.
2006-07-26 18:39:01 · answer #5 · answered by The Promise Land 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sissies.
2006-07-26 19:23:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
wussie, wussie, come here wussie, wussie!!!
2006-07-26 18:23:47 · answer #7 · answered by harmony 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
nah, your dogs are just smart....LOL
2006-07-26 18:47:59 · answer #8 · answered by Jones 4 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋