We all know that beagles are hunting dogs. They have an amazing sense of smell and can track a scent for miles. But, what you may not know is that beagles were originally bred to hunt smaller prey, like rabbits and foxes. So, what does this mean for your cat? Well, unfortunately, it means that your beagle may see your cat as its next target.
Beagles are hunting dogs by nature and have a strong prey drive
Beagles are an iconic breed, easily recognizable by their distinctive brown and white fur. But they aren’t just great companions – beagles are also natural hunters. Since beagles were first bred as hunting companions, they’re born with an innate desire to have kind of job that involves sniffing out prey animals and alerting the hunter.
They have a strong “prey drive”, meaning they prefer chasing after small animals like rabbits, rather than other dog sports like agility or flyball.
Through proper training beagles can be taught to control their urge to pursue prey when necessary in order to be safe, making them still a popular choice for families.
Beagles are friendly and social dogs, which can make them less likely to attack cats
Beagles are a popular choice for pet owners thanks to their friendly, social nature. As well as being great companions, beagles might be an especially good fit for households where there is more than one pet.
With proper training and socialization, beagles can be very trusting around cats and other small animals. Their overall amiable disposition lowers their chances of attacking cats or any other pet, making beagles a great mix if you already have a cat in your home.
However, if a beagle is not properly trained or socialized, they may view cats as prey and attack them
Beagles are widely known for their loyal, playful and adorable personalities, but it’s important to be aware of their hunting instincts when owning one. Aside from the typical training beagles require like basic commands and leash walking, it is also important to socialize beagles with cats to ensure they view them as nonthreatening companions.
Otherwise, beagles may be prone to attacking cats which can put both animals in harm’s way. Taking the necessary steps to proper train and socialize beagles will save owners from issues down the line and provide a safe environment for both pets.
If you have a beagle and a cat, it’s important to introduce them slowly and supervise their interactions
If you have a beagle and a cat in the same home, be sure to take it slow when it comes to introducing them. It’s best for beagles and cats to be slowly introduced to each other – by doing this, these two different species can be slowly comfortable with one another. Also be sure to supervise all of their interactions, especially at first.
This way, you can keep a close watch on their behavior so any tension between both animals is lowered or resolved immediately. Taking the time to introduce your pet family properly is essential for the safety of your beagle and cat!
With proper training and socialization, beagles can live peacefully with cats
Beagles are known to be very friendly, curious, and energetic by nature, making them a great companion animal. They thrive with companionship and can be excellent housemates if they are properly trained and socialized.
Beagles have a natural prey drive so it is important to expose them to cats from an early age and provide clear instructions so the beagle understands how to interact peacefully with their feline friends.
With patience and care, beagles can happily live side by side with cats – giving both animals the chance to enjoy life in harmony within the same household.
Beagles are hunting dogs by nature and have a strong prey drive. However, beagles are also very friendly and social dogs. If a beagle is not properly trained or socialized, they may view cats as prey and attack them.
If you have abeagle and a cat, it’s important to introduce them slowly and supervise their interactions. With proper training and socialization, beagles can live peacefully with cats.
Matthew Klodt is the lead editor & head author of TopBeagle.com, an online community devoted to helping beagle owners take better care of their canine friends. In addition to his in-depth, exclusive written content, he regularly posts helpful advice on one of his favorite topics, “beagle care”.