10 Surprising Cats That Act Like Dogs

There are cat people…and there are dog people. But what happens when a dog person and a cat
person who live in the same house can’tcome to a decision on which pet to get?Well, they compromise and get the one that
can sit on the fence and straddle it—a catthat acts like a dog. You’re Watching Animal Facts!10. Maine CoonIf all cats are standoffish and aloof, no
one told the Maine Coon. Maine Coons are like the dogs we’ve featured
in “Velcro dog” videos. They are playful, affectionate and love nothing
more than to shadow their humans. So, if you choose one as your furbaby, be
ready to give up most of your privacy…andsince Mains are also about the size of small
dog—a big chunk of your personal space. 9. SphynxOne major difference between parenting a cat
and parenting a dog is you never have to bathea cat…unless you have a Sphynx. Although the Sphynx is thought to be a hairless
breed, it is covered with ultra-fine hairs. But because their hair is different from that
of other cats, they must be bathed regularlyto prevent skin problems. Like dogs, Sphynxes are also known for their
loyalty and devotion. They prefer to stick close to their humans
and will follow you to the ends of the earth,wagging —yes, wagging—their tails all
the way. 8. American BobtailGot kids?There’s a cat for that. The American Bobtail is an affectionate, intelligent
breed that readily forms a strong bond withtheir humans. Bobtails seem to be tailor-made for households
with children. They love to play games like fetch or hide
and seek, and have a dog-like tolerance fornoise and chaos that helps them adapt well
to the pandemonium that comes with familylife. And you don’t have to worry about rough
play between the kids and your Bobtail. A stocky, sturdy breed, they also have delightfully
nubby or “bobbed” tails that are difficultfor little hands to grasp—giving Santa one
less reason to put your little ones on thenaughty list. Which do you think is the better pet for kids—a
dog, cat, or dog-like cat?7. AbyssinianOil and water don’t mix, unless it’s in
milk or margarine—and cats and water don’tmix unless the cat is an Abyssinian. The elfin-faced Abyssinian loves water, so
it’s a fantastic cat for dog people whoenjoy sailing, water sports, lazy days at
the beach, bubble baths, long showers, washingdishes…well, you get the point. Other dog-like behaviors include a fondness
for fetching toys, acceptance of leash-training,and a constant need for attention. If you’re not into Velcro dogs, then chances
are you won’t be into Velcro cats either—butwho cares about a little adhesion when you
have a cat you can take for a swim, a walk,and will bring you your slippers after all
that exercise!6. RagdollDogs have a reputation for being more easygoing
than cats, but there is one feline that isas laid-back as any canine—the Ragdoll cat. Ragdolls get along great with both kids and
adults and get their name from a rather oddbehavior. Whenever you pick one up, it will go completely
limp, like a ragdoll. Why?No one really knows. It may be a passive-aggressive means of trying
to stay put or simply an extension of theircalm, relaxed nature. Whatever the case, this breed is intelligent,
affectionate, can be trained to fetch, andmakes an excellent lap cat…Raggedy Ann ain’t
got nothin’ on the Ragdoll. 5. ManxOn any given day, the average housecat won’t
even acknowledge your presence, let alonereact when someone calls their name. But the Manx cat will not only socialize with
you and your family, it will come when youcall its name. So, if you call a Manx with a generic, “Here,
kitty kitty,” you might want to make sureyour new pal’s name is actually Kitty. Manx are very energetic and enjoy hunting
rodents. Other dog-like behaviors include shadowing,
learning verbal commands, retrieving and sometimeseven burying small objects. 4. Turkish AngoraWhen you hear their name you might figure
that they’re some bougie, glamour-puss breed,but the Turkish Angora is very friendly and
outgoing, like most dogs. Angoras are so hospitable, that at social
gatherings they will greet guests at the doorand play co-host. They will mingle with everybody on a one-on-one
basis, giving you the opportunity to run tothe kitchen for another plate of hors d’oeuvres. Although Angoras are the “social butterflies”
of our list, they have a tendency to selectone particular family member to be their sidekick
and will be very protective of them, muchlike dogs. They are also highly intelligent, easy to
train, and exhibit basic problem solving skillswhich they use to help their humans whenever
they can. 3. ChartreauxChartreaux cats are another breed that will
choose a favorite human to bond with and shadow,but there won’t be much chit-chat between
the two, as Chartreaux rarely make sounds,or are mute. But what they lack in conversational skills,
they more than make up for in intellect. It is not unusual for Chartreaux to learn
how to operate power buttons on electronicsand appliances or to open latches, and if
there were a checklist of canine attributes,we could put a checkmark in virtually every
box. They are quite playful, get along great with
children and other animals, and will happilychallenge their dog siblings in a friendly
game of fetch. Like some of the previously mentioned breeds,
Chartreaux will also answer to their names—Checklist complete!2. BurmeseWho says you can’t be smart and funny?Certainly, not anyone who is friends with
a Burmese cat. Burmese are sweet, intelligent and love to
entertain themselves and their humans withtheir dog-like shenanigans. They are experts at retrieving and telling
time…yes, telling time. Well, not really, but at mealtime they will
sit and wait by their bowl, just as dogs do. If you have a Burmese as a housemate, it is
recommended not to leave them alone for extendedperiods of time. As a breed that is known for being extremely
dependent on their humans, it is best to findsomeone to “cat sit” them while you are
away. 1. OcicatAlthough the Ocicat gets its name from its
resemblance to the Ocelot, a wild cat thatis native to Mexico, Central and South America,
and the southwestern US, it is probably themost domesticated, puppy-like cat on our list. They are, dare we say it—the “total package. ”Ocicats thrive on social interaction. They are affectionate with their family, never
meet a stranger, and are friendly to othertypes of animals. Like some of the previously mentioned breeds,
Ocicats will choose one family member as theirfavorite and latch on for dear life. Most Ocicats can be trained to walk on a leash
and to follow commands. Like dogs, they can learn to come when called
by name, sit, fetch, roll over, lie down anda variety of other tricks. Ocicats are extraordinarily agile—even for
felines—and you can easily prompt them intogetting a good workout by playfully tossing
their toys around. And, as if they needed another behavior to
add to their catalogue of canine characteristics,some Ocicats take to water without hesitation. What cat-like behaviors have you observed
in certain dog breeds?