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Beagles/Beagles with cats

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Expert: - 9/3/2010


Question
I had two older cats when I got my beagle 7 plus years ago.  He lived with
them for seven months until they died and seemed not to mind them but the
occasional bark.  Sense then we have had only the dog and now would like to
get another cat but I don't know if a kitten or older cat would be best or how
we should go about introducing them.  The dog is fairly well trained enough to
walk off lead for short distances and listens well when told not to do
something.  I would really like a cat but don't want to cause a problem. Can
you give me some advise.  Thanks.

Answer
Hi thanks for writing.  Although I believe strongly in rescue I think inviting in an older cat means you know nothing about their past or their history with dogs. You won't know if they are going to accept being with a dog. Under natural circumstances cats dont like dogs and dogs like to chase cats plus eat their poop. The fact that many homes have both shows that they CAN be trained to get along although I have heard from jsut as many who could not.

My suggestion then would be to get a kitten who will grow up with the beagle thinking it is perfectly normal, wont know the difference and may even be able to play and get close to him.

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Have4Paws

Expertise

I am happy to answer BEAGLE BREED SPECIFIC behavioral questions. Please DO NOT ask CRATE TRAINING OR MEDICAL questions! I am not a vet nor an expert in the use of crates.

Experience

I currently have one beagle, a male age 5, an 12 month old Pit Bull, and a 8 year old min. poodle. I have had to let go of three of my dogs, 2 beagles and 1 whippet/rat terrier mix in the past 5 years, most recently my whippet mix. The two beagles lived to 15 and the whippet mix to 13.5, it has been hard to say goodbye to them. I have done rescue work on and off for years as well as fund-raising for the local animal shelter. I worked for a dog magazine in the past (Southern California Dog Magazine). Being a psychotherapist has encouraged me to do in depth studying of animal behavior as well. I have worked with many people to help curb undesirable behaviors in their dogs (or them!) or to form good behaviors. My life is devoted to and surrounded by my dogs........The picture you see here is Zeppelin but we also call him the "miracle dog". He was hit by a car April 2010 while out with the dog walker and had very serious injuries... 4 surgeries and $17,000 later my boy is whole again and back to loving life. He is so special to me and he weathered a lot of pain and trauma yet is still the sweet boy he always was! I also work to stop Breed Specific Legislation and help to get pit bulls adopted.

Organizations
HSUS, PETA, SPCA DONT SHOP...ADOPT!!

Publications
Dog Fancy

Education/Credentials
I am a Marriage and Family Therapist licensed in the state of CA and am also credentialed as a Certified Addiction Treatment Specialist

Awards and Honors
Honored by the Agoura Animal Shelter for my volunteer work.

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