Viral Video of a Cat Barking Like a Dog Raises the Question: Can Cats Really Bark?
There is no shortage of adorable and hilarious cat content on the internet: funny cat videos, cute cat videos, cat and dog videos, and — our favorite — videos of cats that act like dogs. If you haven’t heard a cat barking like a dog before, you’re in luck.
The internet recently went nuts over a video of a 2-year-old cat barking at the new family kitten. The cat, Asher, was raised with a Chihuahua. His pet parents joked that he must have been mocking the dog. If you’re anything like us, you’re probably wondering, can cats bark? Here’s what you need to know.
Can Cats Bark?
Yes, cats can bark! “A cat’s anatomy allows them to make a barking noise that sounds like a dog, it’s just not common for them to vocalize in this way,” explains Samantha Bell, a cat behavior expert at Best Friends Animal Society. So, what does a cat’s bark sound like? Bells says to think of it as a quick, punchy meow.
“I have heard of this happening before with cats who are raised with dogs,” Bell adds. While scientific research on the topic is lacking, Bell guesses that the cat in the viral video was indeed imitating the family dog. “This cat in the video especially sounds like how an older Chihuahua sibling would sound,” she says. “And even the little jump his body does resembles a little dog’s behavior. This is a really cool cat!”
Cat barking is not common when introducing a new kitten to a cat
This behavior is not typical for a new cat-to-cat encounter, Bell says. “The most common behavior when introducing cats would be a hiss, which translates to, ‘I’m not feeling comfortable right now,’” she says. And hissing, she adds, is perfectly understandable and acceptable.
As most cats need time to accept a new cat, she tells pet parents who are introducing a new cat to not worry if they hear hissing. “Hissing is not indicative of the relationship’s future,” Bell reassures.
Introducing Cats: 6 Tips to Try
When it comes to how to introduce cats, Bell has a few tricks for helping start off on the right foot (ahem, paw) so everyone can live in harmony. Here are a few of Bell’s favorite tips:
Relax. Don’t stress out about the introduction because cats feed off our emotions. Keep things positive.
Take it slow… much slower than you want to. It will be worth it for a lifetime of peaceful cohabitation.
Start small. Start the new cat off in a small space so your resident cat doesn’t feel like they’ve lost all of their territory.
Scent before sight. Introduce the cats sense by sense, and not all senses at once. First let them both smell something the other cat has been lying on. Then let them see each other from afar.
Short, supervised play time. If, during the gradual introduction, you notice both cats seem comfortable with the scent and sight of the other, you can try them in the same room. But make sure both cats are entertained during this time with wand toy playtime and high-value treats.
Do not let them stare at each other. And keep it short — quit while things are going well. Leave them wanting more.
Get additional supplies. Make sure you double the resources in the home once the cats are living together. Add an extra litter box, an extra feeding station, another scratcher, extra beds, etc. This way your cats won’t feel like they need to compete for these items.
Barking Cat Video: The Verdict
The barking cat in the viral video seems excited about the kitten, Bell says. “His body language indicates a positive encounter, with his relaxed body and little jump,” she says. “He also seems quite playful here, using the sides of the litter box to play peekaboo with the kitten.”
When humans get super excited about something, they may let out a little squeal. Bell says jokingly that this could be exactly what was happening with Asher the cat in that situation!
