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Asked by jessh to Adam, Catherine, Karen, Leila, Nazim on 14 Mar 2012. This question was also asked by sophiewest.
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Adam Stevens answered on 13 Mar 2012:
It’s not possible naturally – different species can’t reproduce properly due to differences in their DNA. If species are close, like horses and donkeys they can have offspring, but the offspring aren’t able to then go on and reproduce with anything.
Dogs and cats are pretty separate. However, if our understanding of genetics progresses we may be able to cross them in a lab (not sure why we would though). You probably wouldn’t end up with cat dog though.
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Karen Masters answered on 13 Mar 2012:
I doubt it. And definitely not me personally. I’m an astronomer! 😉
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Catherine Rix answered on 14 Mar 2012:
No a dog and a cat couldn’t mate to produce offspring but other closely related animals can be mated. Have you even heard of a liger? It’s a cross between a male lion and a female tiger, it’s very rare and mostly only happens in captivity.
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Nazim Bharmal answered on 19 Mar 2012:
I don’t think so, they are too far apart as species go. You need things that are much closer in terms of their genetics, like Zebras and horses (can’t remember what the offspring are called) or horses and donkeys (you get mules). The Liger examples is a good one, because Lions and Tigers are both cats.
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Leila Battison answered on 19 Mar 2012:
Nope!
Things are different species if they cannot breed with each other. We know dogs and cats are different species because they can’t breed together. No more than you could breed a person with an ape.
But the lines aren’t always that clear cut, and sometimes you can breed different animals of similar species together. If you cross a Lion and a Tiger, you can get a Liger or a Tigon, and they’re just adorable!
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