Chasing cat-problem or play?

[Jelpy]

I have a question semi related. I have a cat that Allie will pick up by the head and move around, chase a bit and mouth. However the cat never appears to be too disturbed-a bit slobbered on perhaps but not angry or hurt- doesn't flee from the dog, or even try to wriggle away when Allie pins her down with a paw and mouths on her head and neck. I'm used to small dogs who will chase wildly, yap madly and then skulk away when the cat slaps their nose, so I'm at a bit at a loss. I haven't stepped in as the cat doesn't appear to mind and Allie hasn't hurt her. On the other hand, I would hate to discover I was wrong but suddenly ending up with a headless cat. If the kitty does move away from her, Allie with follow her, immobolize and bring her back, but again, no biting, just mouthing. Is this prey pursuit behavior with no real aggression kick in because the Cat isn't seriously fleeing, or is Allie just playing?

Thanks,

[Virginia]

It sounds like play to me. Prey drive is usually triggered by the prey fleeing or some sort of fast movement. I think if both parties are okay with this playing, you can allow it to continue under supervision. When you are not around to supervise I would separate or contain them. Though the dog may mean well, she is much larger and stronger than the cat, and could easily hurt the cat unintentionally.

[LuvsDieter]

I'm not sure what the experts will say but Dieter does this to his best kitten buddy all the time. We trust him enough now to know that he will be gentle and let go if the kitty protests too much.

We've actually named the behavior and use it to our advantage. If the kitty is getting into something bad or making a break for an open door, we tell Dieter "Get the kitty" and he will run over and use his mouth to pin her to the ground until we can get there. Very useful, but have to have complete trust in the dog.

[allieg]

Mine does that too and I try to discourage it.I have one cat that will put up with it and 5 that want nothing to do with it.

[Powell]

My cat chases the dog, bites her, stalks her. Every now and then they chase each other....with Jolene on the long Flexi. It is funny. The other morning the cat was wild biting at her and Jolene did a 360 twirl, and SAT on her. Cat was not hurt, but he wasn't amused...but he deserved it.

The cat follows us on the "morning mile" dog walk..... even if it rains.

I have to MEASURE the cat food. 6 months old and bigger than most full grown cats...


Powell

[StGeorgeK9]

I have a cat that is now 14 years old (Romeo), was actually raised from a 3 week old kitten by my Heidi girl many years ago, (Romeo's momma was killed when the kittens were still nursing) bout the most solid cat there is, very dog proof. Ava often mouths him , when she was a puppy, if she got too rough, Romeo let her know play time was over, one smack (didnt even use his claws) and left, play time over. I still cant believe he allows her to take his head completely in her mouth.....but in 3 1/2 years, no problems at all. Romeo knows though, if you run, prey drive kicks in. No fun to be rolled by an exuberant puppy trying to initiate play. Just keep an eye out, if the cat does try to get away and the pup wont disengage, that is when you should step in.