Canines and felines are dogs and cats, biologically belonging to different families. Feline and canine is the taxonomic families of Felidae and Canidae, so there is a difference to discuss.
We all know that dogs and cats biologically belong to different families. However, it’s also important we understand that these two animals have similar evolutionary history. Dogs and cats were natural predators domesticated by humans to serve a certain purpose.
Today, there are various wild cat species around the world- but the amount of canines is quite higher than that of felines. Keep reading to find out more about canine vs feline.
What Is a Canine?
The Caninae or canines belong to the three subfamilies naturally found within the canid family- the other subfamilies found within the canid family include extinct Borophaginae and Hesperocyoninae.
Canines belong to the taxonomy order Canidae- which includes all domestic dog breeds and animals like wolves, foxes, coyotes, dingoes, wild dogs, and jackals.
Canines can be found in different habitats. Their natural habitats include mountains, rainforests, deserts, tundra, taiga, grasslands, and temperate forests.
By nature, canids could be either carnivorous or omnivorous. Unlike felines, canines do not have retractable claws. Their appearance is quite different from that of a cat.
Canids have larger ears with a bushy tail. Most species are very sociable and live in packs. Canines are excellent hunters in the wild. They have a good sense of smell to track and hunt prey.
Canids also use scent signals, howls, barks, visual clues, facial expressions, growls, and gestures to communicate with one another.
Domestic dogs are the most popular pets in the world owned by millions of people. According to Hepper.com, about 900 million dogs of different breeds currently live with us.
People are more likely to adopt a dog than a cat.
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What Is a Feline?
Feline is the biologically classified taxonomic family of Felidae- the family of mammals in the order Carnivora referred to as cats.
A member of Felidae is also referred to as a felid. Part from the domesticated cat, all felids are carnivorous.
Unlike canids, felids have retractable claws. Felids also have slender muscular bodies with strong flexible forelimbs. Naturally, felids have facial muscles and teeth for hunting prey.
Felids have one of the most powerful bites. Most of the features of the felids allow them to stalk and ambush prey. Their hunting instinct is one that results in a higher rate of success.
Wild cats are found in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Some species are adapted to arid environments, while some to forest habitats. Other species are adapted to mountainous terrain and wetlands.
Felids vary in their size. Wild cats are larger in size compared to domestic cats. The largest of the cat family is the Siberian tiger weighing up to 660 pounds (299 kilograms) and reaches a length of more than 10 feet (3.048 metres) from nose to tail.
Some species have thick fur coats which keep them warm in cold climates. The colour of their coat varies but fits the surrounding colours. This makes hunting prey easier, as they will use their surrounding as cover to stalk and hunt prey.
Felids are gifted with improved night vision and sensitive ears that detect sound. Some species like lions live in pride, while other wild cats such as tigers, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, pumas, and lynx live a solitary lifestyle.
Canine vs Feline: Difference and Similarities between Feline and Canines
Feline is the biologically classified taxonomic family of Felidae- the family of mammals in the order Carnivora referred to as cats.
Felids are gifted with sharp retractable claws. They use their claws to climb trees or any high structure. Felids stalk and hunt prey using their retractable claws and they have one of the most powerful bite force.
In contrast, canids do not have retractable claws. Their claws are always exposed and it’s always in contact with the ground.
Felids have slender muscular bodies with strong flexible forelimbs. They have the ability to jump higher and climb trees to prevent other predators from taking away their kill.
Although canines can jump to a certain height, they lack the ability to climb trees. Canines are excellent hunters but when confronted by other predators, they develop fight or flight attitudes.
One of the main similarities between canines and felines is that both families have long tails. Felids usually have longer tails, which make up 1/3 of their body length.
Additionally, felids are considered to have smaller teeth compared to canids. Feline’s jaws move vertically and this prevents good chewing but is useful in hunting prey.
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Canine vs Feline: Social Behavioural Pattern of Cats and Dogs
Another difference between cats and dogs is their behaviour.
Felids are more independent and solitary, especially feral cats. This species of cat is the same as pet cats. However, feral cats are not socialised to humans or the domestic surroundings.
Dogs prefer to be in a family and they are easy to train to follow simple commands. With the proper training, dogs will learn how to follow commands like sit and lie down.
Felids can also be trained to follow simple commands. Theirs is more related to hygiene habits like using the toilet.
Canine vs Feline: Canine and Feline Stages of Pregnancy
Canine Stages of Pregnancy
In order to evaluate the effects of drugs during pregnancy, it’s essential we appreciate the various stages of embryonic development with the hormonal milieu that occurs in each phase.
Let’s explore the three defined stages of canine pregnancy.
Stage #1: canine fertilization to implantation
- At this stage, positive pregnancy can be difficult to confirm
- Implantation is about 18 days from the LH (Luteinizing Hormone) surge (day 0 equals the day of the LH surge.
- Progesterone is needed for initiation and maintenance of pregnancy.
- Requires progesterone level of 2 ng/mL to maintain pregnancy.
- Progesterone maintains endometrial integrity and placental attachment as well as inhibits myometrial contractility.
- Corpus luteum is relatively refractory to exogenous chemicals/drugs during the first thirty days.
- Changes in estrogen: progesterone ratio or decline in corpus luteum progesterone secretion can result in impaired implantation or even abortion.
- To terminate the pregnancy at this stage, drugs such as #1 estrogens: inhibit oocyte transport/embryotoxic effects, #2 prostaglandins: high doses will induce luteal arrest. And #3, inhibitors of progesterone secretion (epostane) or progesterone antagonists (mifepristone, aglepristone).
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Stage #2: implantation to feral ossification
- Positive pregnancy is confirmed at about 25 to 30 days with ultrasound.
- Feral ossification occurs at 40 to 42 days from the LH (Luteinizing Hormone) peak.
- Embryogenesis, development, and fetal growth occur at this stage.
- If exposed to chemical or exogenous drugs, organ, skeletal, limb, or neurological deformities may occur as a result of this.
- Prolactin is the pituitary hormone sustaining the corpus luteum steroidogenesis.
- Dopamine antagonists can result in luteolysis, blockade or progesterone secretion and abortion.
- To terminate the pregnancy at this stage, use drugs like prostaglandins, dopamine agonists/antiprolactinic agents (bromocriptine, cabergoline), antiserotoninergic (methergine), steroids (dexamethasone), progesterone-secretion inhibitors (epostane) or progesterone antagonists (mifepristone, aglepristone).
Stage #3: fetal ossification to parturition
- Prostaglandins are the inhabiting factors that cause luteal functional arrest.
- It also reduces corpus luteum blood supply and luteal steroidgenesis.
- An abortion induction at this stage will likely lead to fetal expulsion.
- Finally, after 50 to 55 days from the LH (Luteinizing Hormone) surge, induce abortion may lead to premature parturition and delivery of pups.
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Canine vs Feline: Feline Stages of Pregnancy
Felids do not show any sign of pregnancy until about five to ten weeks of gestation. This is why most owners of pet cats may not notice that the animal is pregnant.
Research studies suggest that ultrasound detection of cardiac activity can be used as early as gestational day sixteen- by day twenty-six of gestation, the fetal morphology can be seen.
Although movements is first noticed by day twenty-eight, fetal membrane becomes visible by twenty-one days of gestation.
Conclusion
Canines and felines biologically belong to different families.
Canines can be found in different habitats. Their natural habitats include mountains, rainforests, deserts, tundra, taiga, grasslands, and temperate forests.
Wild cats are found in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Some species are adapted to arid environments, while some to forest habitats. Other species are adapted to mountainous terrain and wetlands.
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References
- Wikipedia: Felidae
- Wikipedia: Caninae
- GoodandGreenGuides: Differences and Similarities between Canines and Felines
- VJ Wiebe, JP Howard – Topics in companion animal medicine, 2009: Pharmacologic advances in canine and feline reproduction
