Can Beagles and cats be friends?
While Beagles are scent hounds with an inclination to hunt prey, if introduced correctly they can and will make friends with cats. Once your Beagle learns that cats are not supposed to be chased, they will soon become the best of friends!
1) Can Beagles and cats be friends?
Many people mistakenly assume that cats and dogs don’t get along, but this isn’t always the case. The saying ‘fight like cats and dogs’ may have some truth in it, but can a Beagle learn to be friends with a cat?
Beagles are classed as scent hounds, and in the past, they were utilized for their incredible sense of smell to seek out and track prey. Although Beagles are now kept as adorable family pets, they still retain some of these hunting instincts.
But while Beagles instinctively want to chase small creatures, they can learn to become best friends with your cat! Whether you can successfully do this depends on many factors. It pays to weigh up the situation carefully before introducing a cat to your Beagle, to increase the chances of a successful outcome.
The great thing about Beagles is that although they are classed as hunting dogs, they have strong tracking instincts but very low levels of aggression.
For your Beagle, the fun lies in flushing out prey, not attacking it. If you have a cat that is used to dogs and knows to stand their ground, your Beagle will soon realize that a game of chase is not an option.
2) Do Beagles love cats?
Beagles are pack animals and love companionship and cuddles. If your Beagle comes to regard the family cat as part of their pack, they can become the best of friends!
And when your Beagle and cat fall in love, you’ll get to witness the adorable sight of them cuddling up together. Hopefully, they’ll both still want human snuggles too – after all, that’s what we have pets for, right?!
Fun-loving Beagles and cats can also become firm playtime buddies, spending time together exploring and playing. However, make sure your cat has a safe place to escape to, should their Beagle buddy get a bit too boisterous.
Beagles thrive on companionship, so a feline buddy can be a great way to ensure your dog has company when their favorite humans are not around.
3) Will my Beagle get along with a new kitten?
Most experts recommend that the best way to introduce cats and dogs is to start with animals of similar ages. This means starting with a puppy and a kitten, or an adult cat and an adult dog. But what if you want to bring a kitten into a home with an adult Beagle – is there a way to make this situation work?
Beagles can learn to get along with a new kitten, and they can become firm friends. You will need to be extra careful about how they are introduced to help them build a loving friendship. Young kittens should never be left alone with a Beagle, and any socialization time should be closely supervised.
4) Why does my Beagle chase my cat?
If your Beagle chases your cat, chances are that they are not the best of friends! Beagles have strong tracking instincts and will seek out potential 'prey' at any opportunity. Unfortunately, if your cat runs at the sight of a dog, your Beagle will take chase!
Sometimes this might be part of a game, but if your cat is distressed or cannot escape, it can become very stressful. It may all be innocent fun from your Beagle's perspective, but most cats do not appreciate being chased.
Sadly it can be impossible to teach a cat to stand their ground when chased by a dog. I mean, would you stop if a dog ten times your size was chasing you?! If your Beagle regularly chases your cat, it may be necessary to keep them separated unless under close supervision.
It can also be tricky to train a Beagle to stop chasing cats – after all, instincts are instincts! However, you can take steps such as redirecting your dog’s attention when it fixates on the cat and using a firm ‘no’ command every time your Beagle lunges towards a cat.
5) How do you introduce a Beagle to a cat?
It pays to do some groundwork before your Beagle and cat meet for the first time. Make sure your cat has a well-established 'safe zone', where they can hang out without the threat of unwanted doggy attention.
A good way to achieve this is by creating 'cat only' areas of the household. Utilize cat flaps on internal and external doors to provide your cat with an escape route and place of sanctuary. Cats also appreciate higher places to hide, where they will look down on your Beagle with smug satisfaction.
With your Beagle, spend some time reinforcing basic training, so you can keep them calm and under control throughout the whole process. Beagles love reward-based training, and can be easily distracted with the potential of a tasty treat!
The best way to introduce a Beagle to a cat is through a gradual introduction process. Start by keeping them in separate rooms, and familiarize them with each other's scent by switching towels between their beds.
For the initial introduction, it is a good idea to have your Beagle on a leash. Keep the situation calm and controlled, and reward both animals for any positive behavior.
Repeat these introductory sessions several times, until you are confident that both animals are calm and relaxed. You can then let them spend time together for longer periods, but always under close supervision.
6) Top tips for keeping Beagles with cats
Creating a successful multi-pet household can be challenging, but by following these tips you'll maximize the chances of peace and harmony in the family home:
Ensure your cat has a safe dog-free zone to hang out. This should contain their food and water stations and their litter tray.
Dogs can become possessive over their food, so feed them in an area your cat cannot access.
Provide your cat with escape routes and high places to hang out. Child safety gates are ideal for letting your cat move from one room to another to avoid unwanted doggy attention.
In conclusion, it is clear to see how Beagles and cats could become the best of friends, but don't be disappointed if they remain aloof strangers!
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