Protection against cats and dogs? (8)
I believe the answer is:
umbrella
'protection' is the definition.
(an umbrella protects someone from the rain)
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for umbrella that I've seen before include "Aegis" , "What may go up when the rain comes down" , "Protection that can be rolled up" , "Protection from rains" , "Comprehensive" .)