Are Beagles Good With Cats [What You Should Know]

Are Beagles good with cats? This is a question that many pet owners ask themselves when considering bringing home a new furry friend.

We’ve all heard of the age-old rivalry between cats and dogs, but is it true for Beagles?

In this blog post, we’ll delve into the world of Beagles and cats to help answer this question once and for all.

So, sit back, relax, and let’s explore the relationship between these two adorable animals.

Are Beagles Good With Cats?

Yes, Beagles when properly trained are generally good with cats, because they are known for their laid-back and friendly nature, and they tend to get along well with other animals.

The American Kennel Club even lists Beagles as one of the best dog breeds to have around cats due to their sweet disposition.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that every dog is an individual and their behavior towards cats may vary based on factors such as socialization and training.

It’s always a good idea to introduce dogs and cats slowly and under supervision to ensure a peaceful coexistence.

Read more about The Best Way To Potty Train A Beagle Puppy.

The Best Age to Mix a Beagle and a Cat

The best age to mix a beagle with a cat is when the beagle gets to 18 months old and the cat is 12 weeks old.

At the age of 18 months, the beagle has stopped growing, mastered the obedience training commands, and become more affectionate towards any family members.

Obedience training is the very first thing you must complete with a beagle before you can think of bringing in a second pet.

Introducing a cat to a beagle that is younger than 18 months comes with its risk because beagles love chasing smaller animals than them when they are much younger.

If you must bring in a cat to a beagle that is much younger than 18 months, then you have to always pay close attention to how the beagle reacts to the cat crossing its path.

If you want to introduce a cat to a new dog then make sure the cat is at least more than 12 weeks old, at this age the cat is less harmless and still learning the basics of his environment.

Recommended post: How To Train A Beagle Not To Run Away From Home: 11 Basic Tips.

List of things you need before Introducing a cat to a Beagle

Here is the list of things you need before bringing a cat home to a beagle;

• Separate feeding plate for the cat or dog.
• Separate Retractable Dog Leash.
• Different types of play toys
• Dog & Cat Blanket
• Rectangular Bolster Cat & Dog Bed.
• Separate water can

Do not make the mistake of thinking your Beagle will share his feeding plates with a new cat or vice versa.

It will be easier for a beagle to share things with another beagle than share with a cat in the first few weeks.

Read more about How To Take Good Care Of A Beagle: Best 14 Ways.

Preparing a Beagle to Meet The New Cat

Here are the basic and most important ways of preparing a beagle to meet or welcome a new cat;

• Socializing your beagle at the earliest stages.
• Proper obedience training of your beagle.
• Showing your beagle pictures or images of the cats weeks before bringing in the cat.
• Playing a video of the cat to your beagle several times and days before bringing in the cat.
• Watching cat and dog-friendly movies with your Beagle several times and days before bringing home the cat.

Beagles are very intelligent and curious, they love watching movies, so you can use that to your advantage.

Beagles remember a lot, showing images or videos of that cat to your beagles many times before bringing the cat home will make them get used to the cat faster than you think.

Preparing a Cat to Meet a Beagle

Here is the simple ways of preparing a cat to meet a beagle which is as follows;

• Proper socialization of the cat
• Showing images of the beagle to your cat many times before bringing the beagle home.
• Playing and watching friendly video movies of cats and dogs.
• Visit other beagle owners with your cat.

Read more about How Big Do Beagles Grow: Full-Grown Weight, Length & Height.

Important Tips for safety precautions during introducing a Cat to a Beagle

Here are the common tips for bringing in a cat to meet a beagle;

• Provide separate areas until you are sure they can stay together.
• Do not force interaction or play between both the Beagle and the cat.
• Always rewards good behaviors for both.
• Provide an escape route for the cat in the first few weeks, in case your beagle wants to surprise you.
• Closely monitor the relationship between the beagle and the cat.
• Get a different leash.
• Get a clicker for your beagle.
• Do not feed both at different times, feeding time should be the same.
• Make sure you get a soft claw for your cat.

Introducing the Cat and Dog to Each Other

Here are the basic steps in introducing a cat to a beagle for the first time:

Step 1

In the morning of the day you are going to bring your cat back home, be sure to rewatch the cat videos with your Beagle several times before you leave to get the cat, reward your beagle for watching the cat videos, and show your beagle the cat pictures before you leave.

Step 2

Once you are back leaving the cat in the car or anywhere outside. Put your Beagle on the leash, then bring the cat inside and take the cat around the house for at least 5 mins.

At this point, your beagle may start barking, reward him, and move to the next step.

Step 3

Keep the cat in his blanket just before the dog uses the leash to make sure your beagle can not reach the cat.

Show your beagle the same cat image you have been showing him.

Step 4

Rubbing your palms on your beagle’s back to reward him for staying calm, using one hand to bring the cat closer bit by bit.

Stop and see your beagle’s reaction, don’t get him overexcited, repeat the process and make sure you have eye contact with your beagle and call him his name, and pet him.

Step 5

Finally, if your beagle is very calm, then allow him to sniff the cat and reward him for being calm.

Remove the leash and put a cat and dog-friendly movie, then sit and watch with your Beagle while you keep a close watch on your Beagle’s reaction.

If things go well you are done, if your Beagle keeps charging at the cat take the cat away and play the cat videos over and over then keep trying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Beagles get along with cats?

Yes, Beagles can get along with cats if they are socialized properly and trained to coexist with feline housemates.

Beagles are generally friendly and social dogs, and with the right introduction and training, they can learn to live peacefully with cats.

Do Beagles have a high prey drive that will make them chase cats?

Yes, Beagles do have a high prey drive, which means that they may be inclined to chase small animals, including cats.

However, this behavior can be managed and trained through positive reinforcement training and socialization.

Should I adopt a Beagle if I already have a cat at home?

If you already have a cat at home, it’s important to introduce them to a new Beagle slowly and carefully.

Proper socialization and gradual introductions can help your cat and Beagle learn to coexist peacefully.

It’s also important to monitor their interactions and never leave them alone unsupervised until you are sure that they can get along.

Is it possible to train a Beagle to not chase cats?

Yes, it is possible to train a Beagle to not chase cats with consistent and positive reinforcement training.

Begin by introducing them to cats in a controlled and comfortable environment, and rewarding positive interactions.

Over time, you can gradually increase their exposure and reduce their likelihood to chase cats.

How can I tell if my Beagle and cat are getting along?

If your Beagle and cat are getting along, you will notice peaceful coexistence, calm behavior, and relaxed body language.

The Beagle should not be fixating on the cat, barking, or showing any signs of aggression.

The cat, on the other hand, should not be hissing, growling, or running away from the Beagle.

What if my Beagle and cat don’t get along?

If your Beagle and cat are not getting along, it’s important to seek professional help from a trainer or a veterinarian.

They can help you understand the root cause of the problem, and provide you with solutions to manage and resolve the conflict between your pets.

In extreme cases, it may not be possible for your Beagle and cat to ever live together peacefully, and you may need to consider separating them.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while every dog is unique, beagles are generally known for being friendly and social animals.

This makes them more likely to get along with cats than some other breeds.

However, it’s important to properly introduce them and supervise their interactions, especially if one or both animals are new to each other.

With patience, positive reinforcement training, and a watchful eye, a beagle and a cat can potentially become loving companions.