Do Beagles Get Along with Cats?
You love your beagle and your cat and wonder if is ever possible for the two species to get along under the same roof. I have always wondered the same thing, so I did some research and here is what I found out.
So, do beagles get along with cats?Beagles may be hunting dogs, but they actually get along well with
There are a few things that you will need to do in order to prepare your home for both a beagle and a cat. Housing two different species of animals under the same roof isn’t always easy, but it can be done if you have the right know how.
Can Beagles and Cats Learn to Get Along?
Dogs and cats have been mortal enemies since their domestication at the beginning of human civilization.
The cat. Agile, small, sharp claws, and a fiery personality. Their aloof attitude and cute adorable whiskered face have endeared them to the hearts of humans for centuries.
The dog. Smart, loyal, and an incredible sense of smell. The dog has rightfully earned his place at man’s right hand as his best friend.
Is it possible for these two very different animals to get along in the same house?
It may be difficult, but it can be done.
Beagles are hunting dogs. They were bred with a keen sense of smell and the instinct to give chase to other animals that may be running away.
It may seem like there couldn’t be a worse dog to pair with a cat who seems to run away at the smallest sign of danger. After all, they don’t call em’ “scaredy cats” for nothing.
While it may seem counter-intuitive, beagles and cats actually make excellent housemates. They may seem like odd bedfellows, but owners world-wide report nothing but cheerful behavior from their pets, but how could that be?
Beagles may be energetic, but they are not in any way an aggressive dog. While they may be prone to give chase at the smallest sign of movement, they do so mostly out of fun and sport.
Cats seem to be pretty aloof most of the time, but they can take a joke. While they may find beagles annoying at first, they can get used to their happy-go-lucky attitudes and learn how to get along (or at the very least, tolerate) a beagle’s bombastic attitude.
What can you, as a responsible pet owner, do to engender an attitude of love and respect among your pets. This is where we now turn our attention.
Helping Your Cat and Beagle See Eye to Eye
If you have ever walked into a Kindergarten classroom before, then you may have some idea of what it is like to introduce a cat to a beagle household, or vice versa.
There is a lot of screaming and running around. Crying, pushing, and even biting. There are a lot of weird smells wafting through the air and everything is sticky for some reason.
I would say that it looks like organized chaos, but there is nothing “organized” about this madness at all. It is pure, unadulterated, mayhem. Plain and simple.
It can be frustrating to look at. After all, you love your beagle and are hoping that your new cat will be a great addition to the family. You want all members of the family involved to be happy by your new cat, and that includes your beagle.
So, how can you make sure that the arrival of a new cat to the household will look less like the chaotic Kindergarten room and more like Kumbaya around the camp fire?
Let’s look at what you can do to:
- Prep your cat
- Prep your dog
Preparing Your Cat to Live With Your Beagle
If you are adopting a cat from a shelter, it is a good idea to inquire about his previous history. Did this cat come from a family that lived with dogs? If so, do you have any idea how he reacted?
Cats that have previous experience living with dogs, will be less likely to bolt when they see your beagle for the first time. Running may trigger your beagle’s running instinct which could lead to an awkward first encounter.
A great way to get an idea of how a cat will react to your dog is to bring something with your dog’s scent on it to the shelter where you are adopting. A blanket or pillow that your dog sleeps with is usually a great option. Your dog’s scent works its way deep into the fibers and lingers.
Hold this up for the cat to sniff and monitor his reaction. If he recoils and hisses it’s a good sign that this probably isn’t the cat for you.
Find a cat that is indifferent to the smell of your beagle. A cat that has little or no reaction is probably one that has lived with dogs before and can better cope with a large dog’s presence.
Once you have chosen the right cat, there are a few things that you should do to prepare your home for the cat’s arrival.
Bringing a Kitty Home
I don’t care how well trained your cat is, his first reaction upon arriving at your home is to bolt and hide under the nearest couch. It will be your beagle’s first reaction to chase after his new “toy” until he gets a hold of it.
Try to make your pets’ first encounter a little more enjoyable. It may be a good idea to keep your dog in a kennel or on a leash the first time you bring your cat home.
Once the first encounter is finished, there are a few of things you can do to make your cat’s life in a dog’s home more enjoyable.
- Make sure your cat has separate eating, sleeping, and litter box, arrangements. Even if your pets get along swimmingly it is a good idea to give your cat some alone space. Your dog may also try to eat your cat’s food or poop if he has access to them. This will make everyone upset, so find your cat some room.
- Consider putting cat nail caps on your kitty like Soft Claws. Soft Claws are an adhesive that you put on your cat’s claws to make them safer. If your cat takes a swing at your beagle, he won’t cause any eye damage.
- Make sure that your cat has an escape route. Beagles love to play and cats can get annoyed. Your kitty may want a place where he can be alone. Make sure your cat always has a place where your beagle can’t follow.
Preparing Your Beagle to Live With a Cat
First things first, you want to make sure that your beagle has a personality compatible with a cat’s. If your beagle has a history of tearing off after the neighborhood
If your beagle is curious or indifferent around cats, then he will probably make an excellent housemate to the cat.
Make sure that you only ever have one beagle living with your cat. Two beagles together tend to for a “pack mentality” which really brings out their chasing instincts.
Make sure your beagle has all the basic obedience skills. He needs to be able to sit, stay, and stop to live with a dog. Otherwise he may not handle living with a cat very well.
Related Questions:
What is the best age to introduce a dog to a cat? Animals that grow up together are more used to each others company and less likely to fight. Of course, it is important to remember that your beagle will get bigger than your cat. That being said, I would recommend having an older cat than a dog. Beagle puppies are very playful and will chase anything smaller than them. If a full-grown beagle spotted a kitten, he would more than likely chase after it and may even try to bite it.
Should I force my beagle to play with my cat? You should never force interaction between your pets. This could cause anxiety in both of them and lead to violent interactions.If they choose to get together on their own, then you should let them. Praise your beagle for all positive interactions that he has with your cat.