is a hyena more closely related to cats or dogs
The families Hyaenidae and Felidae, the cat family, both belong to the Feliformia suborder, along with civets and mongooses, whilst the dog family, Canidae, belongs to the Caniformia suborder. Caitofga is mistaken in saying hyenas are closely related to ferrets or weasels. These animals belong to the family Mustelidae, which is part of the Caniformia suborder. Hyenas are no more closely related to this family than they are to the dog family. Source(s): I used to be a zookeeper and have studied animals all my life.