Are Hyenas More Closely Related to Cats Than Dogs?

Despite their dog-like appearance, evolutionary biology and zoology experts reveal a surprising truth about hyenas’ family tree. Five specialists weigh in on the taxonomic relationships between these misunderstood carnivores and their mammalian relatives. Their consensus challenges our visual assumptions and demonstrates how evolutionary relationships often defy superficial resemblances. What science tells us about hyena classification might surprise even the most dedicated wildlife enthusiasts.

Sarah Benhaiem has answered Near Certain

An expert from Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Widlife Research in Ecology, Ethology, Evolutionary Biology

Batman is correct! Do not trust the appearances: hyenas are more closely related to cats than to dogs, despite their vague resemblance with some canids. The four hyena species (spotted hyena, brown hyena, striped hyena and aardwolf) belong the family Hyaenidae, within the suborder Feliformia (which includes cats), itself within the order Carnivora. Dogs, foxes and wolves also belong to the order Carnivora, but are within the suborder Caniformia.

Christine Drea has answered Near Certain

An expert from Duke University in Zoology, Ecology

Hyenas are members of their own family (Hyenidae), of which there are only four living species (spotted hyenas, brown hyenas, striped hyenas, and aardwolves). They indeed group with the ‘cat branch’ (Feloidea) of the order Carnivora, not with the ‘dog branch’ (Canoidea). So the closest living relatives of hyenas include cats, mongooses, Malagasy mongooses, viverrids (e.g. civets, genets, the binturong…), and the African palm civet.

Ned Place has answered Near Certain

An expert from Cornell University in Veterinary Science

The simple answer is that hyenas are more closely related to cats than dogs. Of course, hyenas, cats and dogs are mammals (Class: Mammalia) and all are carnivores (Order: Carnivora), but whereas hyenas and cats belong to the Suborder: Feliformia, dogs belong to a different Suborder: Caniformia. And while cats and hyenas are within the same suborder, they are members of different Families: Felidae and Hyaenidae.

Jonathan Sandoval-Castillo has answered Near Certain

An expert from Flinders University in Evolutionary Biology, Genomics, Conservation Science

Hyenas are part of the Order Carnivora together with cats and dogs, but hyenas and cat are part of the Suborder Feliformia. A few genetic analyses have shown that cats and hyenas share a more recent commune ancestor, and, therefore, they are closer related. More interesting, hyenas are closer related with mongooses than can and dogs.

Darrell Ricke has answered Near Certain

An expert from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Genomics, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Genetics, Molecular Biology

Hyenas share the suborder Feliformia with cats but the higher level Carnivora with both cats and dogs. By taxonomy, hyenas are closer to cats than dogs.

Verdict: Appearances Can Be Deceiving

The experts unanimously agree: hyenas are significantly more closely related to cats than to dogs. Despite their canine-like appearance, these unique carnivores belong to the suborder Feliformia alongside cats, while dogs belong to Caniformia. This taxonomic relationship is confirmed by genetic analyses showing hyenas and cats share a more recent common ancestor. Interestingly, hyenas are even more closely related to mongooses than to any canid. This case perfectly illustrates how evolutionary relationships often contradict superficial physical similarities, reminding us that proper classification requires genetic evidence rather than visual assessment.

Still Curious? Find more research on mammalian evolution on Consensus, or explore the related questions below to deepen your understanding of these fascinating animals!