It’s no secret that cats and dogs have a rivalry that dates back centuries! However, through the hissing and yelping, many friendships have formed between cats and dogs. So are beagles good with cats?
Beagles are good with cats. Beagles are clean, disciplined, docile, and friendly dogs that enjoy the company of other pets. Although initially trained as hunting dogs, beagles are not aggressive dogs but pack animals that instinctively know when to give other pets their space.
To better understand why beagles are good with cats, we will explore which traits make dogs good with cats while exploring why exactly beagles have additional characteristics that make them excellent cat companions.
Why Are Beagles Good With Cats?
Many people consider beagles to be the best breed of dog for cats; along with the traits mentioned above, some unique characteristics make beagles well equipped to be cat companions:
- Beagles are friendly and curious,
- Beagles are pack dogs,
- Beagles respond well to positive reinforcement.
Beagles Are Friendly And Curious
Although beagles were trained as hunting dogs, they were used for tracking and retrieving animals and did not attack animals. Therefore, beagles are obedient and intelligent dogs that enjoy spending time with other animals and people.
Consequently, beagles seldom attack or act aggressive toward others, making them ideal dogs for families with cats, children, and/or other dogs.
Beagles Are Pack Dogs
Because beagles were bred as hunting dogs, they also spent significant time with other dogs. Consequently, beagles are pack animals that enjoy the company of others.
Although this may be overbearing for some cats, meaning that owners must ensure beagles are well exercised and entertained, beagles have an innate understanding of hierarchy and respect others’ space.
In conclusion, beagles will likely enjoy the company of cats and integrate them into a mutually beneficial and respectful “pack structure.”
Beagles Respond Well To Positive Reinforcement
Because beagles are energetic and friendly dogs, some cats may find this behavior overwhelming. Although beagles instinctively learn when and how to give cats space, a learning period may be involved.
Fortunately, beagles are intelligent dogs that respond well to positive reinforcement. Thus, beagle owners should reward good behavior around cats via positive reinforcement, such as treats or a belly rub.
Traits That Make Dogs Good With Cats
Generally speaking, cats are solitary animals that enjoy playing and engaging with other animals/people on their terms. They are also clean, quiet animals that enjoy sleeping and grooming and don’t enjoy boisterous behavior, loud noises, sudden movements, or controlling behavior.
Consequently, the following dog characteristics make them good with cats:
- Independent,
- Disciplined,
- Clean,
- Docile.
Independent
Although dogs that are good with cats are usually friendly dogs that enjoy the company of other animals and people, cats do not enjoy animals that are overly needy or friendly.
Therefore, dogs that are confident in themselves and don’t need constant affection/play partners are better at engaging with a cat on their terms, as dogs that constantly look for affection or play from a cat may cause the cat to become aggressive and frightened, or uncomfortable.
Disciplined
While having a confident/independent dog is a good start, there may be times when a dog may annoy a cat without meaning to (such as through boisterous play or barking.)
Therefore, dogs that are disciplined and will listen to their owners/take hints from the cat to behave themselves are more likely to form long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationships with cats.
Clean
Because cats are clean animals that are particular about their personal space, dogs that are dirty, smelly, and/or loud are likely to upset cats that prefer a quiet and controlled environment.
Therefore, dog owners must keep them well-groomed, washed, and to take care of their teeth. Furthermore, dogs that exhibit destructive behavior or are overly vocal probably need more exercise and playtime.
Docile
Finally, calm and docile dogs are better companions for cats than boisterous/aggressive dogs. The best way to tell if a dog may be good with cats is to watch their behavior; for example, do they react enthusiastically to the doorbell or chase small animals? If so, they may not be suited for cats.
It is also essential to watch a dog’s body language around other animals, as a stiff posture, staring, and/or lunging may all be signs that your dog will be too aggressive/boisterous with a cat.
Finally, it is good to know your dog’s history. While some dogs may come from healthy backgrounds with other pets, others may come from abusive households and/or were attacked by another animal, such as a cat, at a young age.
Therefore, you should understand your dog’s history and speak to your breeder, foster parent, or rescue home managers about your dog’s background to understand how they may interact with cats.
How To Introduce A Dog To A Cat?
There are some steps you must take when introducing a dog to a cat:
- Choose the correct location for the introduction,
- Separate the animals,
- Make leashed instructions,
- Allow unsupervised interactions.
Choose The Correct Location For The Introduction
When introducing a dog and cat, choose a quiet, controlled environment.
Furthermore, you should ideally choose a location that is neutral to both animals and isn’t considered their territory or marked with their scent.
Separate The Animals
Once the animals have been introduced, you should separate them within your home and allow each pet different access to parts of the house at different times.
Doing so allows each animal to grow accustomed to its environment and scent without getting in each other’s way!
Make Leashed Instructions
Allow both pets to be in the same room together, with the dog on a leash. Should either animal show signs of aggression, keep them separated for a while longer so they can grow accustomed to each other’s scent and the idea of sharing the home.
Allow Unsupervised Interactions
Once you are confident that both animals are comfortable in the same space, allow unsupervised time between your dog and cat.
Just ensure it is in a controlled environment and you can quickly attend to any fighting that may break out during these early interactions.
Conclusion
Beagles are friendly, intelligent, and respectful dogs that are known as fantastic companions to cats!
References
https://www.thesprucepets.com/introducing-dogs-and-cats-1117460
https://www.americanhumane.org/fact-sheet/introducing-dogs-to-cats/
https://resources.bestfriends.org/article/how-introduce-dog-cat
https://pethelpful.com/dogs/five-dog-breeds-that-like-cats https://www.newsweek.com/introducing-cats-dogs-mistakes-avoid-dos-donts-pet-advice-1630811
