Are Beagles Good With Cats? Cohabitation Facts & FAQ

If you already own a Beagle and are thinking of bringing a cat into the home, you’re in luck! While some people try to claim that Beagles don’t do well with cats, most experts agree that this dog is actually one of the best choices to be with cats.

But that doesn’t mean you should not take any precautions or that every Beagle is good with every cat.

This guide will help you figure out if your Beagle is a good choice for a cat, areas where most Beagles do well with cats, and areas where some Beagles struggle.

Are Beagles Good With Cats?

While there’s a great deal of misinformation out there about Beagles and cats, according to the AKC¹,  the Beagle is a great companion choice for a cat. Most of the confusion comes from the fact that a Beagle is a hound dog. Beagles chase small animals, but they don’t try to hunt and kill them, unlike terriers that people used to hunt and kill vermin. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about a Beagle trying to drive off and hunt your cat. Instead, they'll typically see them as another member of their pack.

Why Beagles Get Along With Cats

Some people think that Beagles are hunting dogs, but they’re not. They’re herding dogs that work in packs. Their natural instinct is to work with other animals, so you just need to show them that your cat is a part of the pack.

This is where another excellent Beagle attribute helps out. Beagles are extremely obedient. They want to listen to you and have you give them direction, which helps when you’re training them.

You can train them to do a wide array of tasks, and convincing them that the cat is a part of their pack is one of them. Since your Beagle will see you caring for your cat, it’s one of the easier things to teach them. This all adds up to a dog that not only tolerates a cat but also enjoys having them around!

Signs That Your Beagle Might Not Get Along With Cats

Just because Beagles are usually good with cats doesn’t mean you should assume your specific Beagle will be. There are a few signs that you should look for before and after you bring a cat into your home.

First, watch how your Beagle interacts with any other animals. If they don’t do well, you should proceed with extreme caution if you want to bring a cat into the home.

Next, see how much your dog actively chases other animals. While a Beagle typically doesn’t want to hunt and kill, they might still chase a cat around to no end. If the cat gets tired of the dog chasing them, they might bat, bite, or scratch them. From there, you don’t know what the Beagle might do. If the cat hurts them, they can easily decide to retaliate, which is dangerous for both the Beagle and the cat!

Integrating Beagles and Cats

When you’re trying to introduce your Beagle to a cat, you need to go about it the right way. Sometimes, all you need to do is bring a cat into the home, and other times, this is a recipe for disaster. Follow these tips, though, and you’ll greatly improve your chance of success.

Start by slowly introducing them. Don’t force an interaction; allow your Beagle to see the cat without getting too excited. After a few moments, distract your Beagle and have them do something else.

Slowly get your Beagle closer to the cat until they simply don’t have the desire to pounce on the cat or chase them around the house. This might take a little while, but it is one of the best ways to introduce the two animals and ensure that there are no issues during the integration process.

Final Thoughts

If you’re nervous about bringing a cat around your Beagle, ask yourself if you’ve ever seen your Beagle struggle with another dog or cat. If they have, they should steer clear of the cat. But if they haven’t had any problems, you can try to bring a cat around your Beagle.

Just take things slow, introduce them the right way, and make sure your Beagle and their new feline companion have time to figure things out for themselves.

• See also: Are Beagles Good Family Dogs? Trainability, Care & Life Expectancy

Featured Image Credit: Sigma_S, Shutterstock