Do Cats & Bearded Dragons Get Along? Vet-Verified Facts, Risks & Safety

Although cats have been a common household pet for many years, bearded dragons have only recently come into the spotlight, but their popularity is growing fast. If you have been a cat parent for some time and are thinking about bringing home a bearded dragon, you may naturally be concerned about how they will get along.

Cats are known for their excellent hunting skills, which may make them difficult to keep around smaller pets. While bearded dragons are typically calm, friendly, and easy-going, they are lizards and may be considered prey for a cat on the hunt. However, in some circumstances, with proper care, cats and bearded dragons can get along well. Inter-species compatibility will come down to a few considerations, which we’ll discuss in this article.

Do Cats and Bearded Dragons Get Along?

Cats and bearded dragons may be able to coexist peacefully in the same house, but interacting with each other may not be as safe. How well they get along will also depend on the individual temperament of each pet, especially cats.

Typically, bearded dragons shouldn’t be paired with small kittens or cats that may be aggressive or have a high prey drive. While bearded dragons are friendly and tolerant, they can become aggressive if continually pestered and antagonized.

The primary concern is that your cat can easily injure a bearded dragon, even during play. Likewise, the presence of a threat can stress your bearded dragon, and they tend to respond unfavorably towards new objects, animals, or environments.

There are some instances where cats and bearded dragons can get along and co-exist peacefully, but it’s essential to understand how they can live together safely, how to introduce them, and how you can allow them to interact. It is imperative to remember that examples of such instances are an exception to the norm.

Can Cats and Bearded Dragons Interact or Play?

There is a distinction between allowing your cat and bearded dragon to engage "freely" like two cats and a dog might. We strongly advise keeping your beardie in your arms and closely monitoring your cat for the duration of their interaction. We don’t advise leaving your cat and bearded dragon to play or interact freely or unsupervised, and here’s why:

• Cats are natural hunters, and you never know when their instincts will kick in.
• There are some risks, such as injuries, when the two pets play or interact. There is a chance your cat may become too excited and end up injuring your beardie, and there is also a chance your beardie may nip your cat.
• Even though they can form relationships with animals and people, cats are fundamentally solitary animals. The same holds for bearded dragons, and it’s unnecessary for them to play to feel fulfilled or to get along.

Above all, it is essential to know what we consider as only “cats playing” is hunting behavior. Therefore, noticing your cat playing with your bearded dragon warrants their separation.

Will My Cat Harm My Bearded Dragon?

Cats value territorial sanctity more than socialization. As a result, there is a significant risk that your cat will harm your bearded dragon because they are bigger and stronger and can cause serious and deadly injuries.

Also, captive-bred lizards are more vulnerable since they have never been around bigger creatures. Since they regard people as not being dangerous, they may not flee or hide when they see a cat. Even if your cat is calm and generally uninterested in smaller animals, they can pose a risk to your beardie.

Cats gravitate to warm spots, and your lizard’s enclosure could be one of them. Your cat may be attracted to the warm lid of the tank, which can break from your cat's weight. If your pet manages to avoid harm from the break, they can escape their enclosure if there is no lid, which can be very dangerous.

It is important to keep in mind that injuries in captive reptiles can quickly become complicated. The injuries can be inflicted by seemingly harmless animals, such as live prey offered to pet reptiles. Therefore, a cat of any age is more than capable of injuring your bearded dragon.

Are Bearded Dragons Venomous To Cats?

Bearded dragons very rarely bite, however, even if they do, species of bearded dragons kept as pets are not considered venomous. They certainly can and do bite, and a bite from your bearded dragon can inflict pain or injuries.

The Eastern Bearded Dragon (Pogona barbata), which is usually not found in the pet trade, possesses a vestigial venom. However, its efficacy on cats hasn’t been researched. Their venom is not considered a health hazard for humans.

Repeated bites are unusual but not beyond the realm of possibility. As mentioned, the primary threat is bacteria in the beardie's mouth.

Should You Introduce Your Bearded Dragon and Cat?

We don’t recommend allowing your beardie and cat to play or interact. It is important to reiterate that neither species dislikes being a solitary pet, so introducing them is unnecessary. In most cases, the risk isn’t deemed worthy, as there is no tangible benefit to having them become familiar with each other.

It is important to remember that even activities that seem harmless to us, such as handling our bearded dragon, can stress them. Therefore, the presence of a cat is guaranteed to cause unnecessary stress to your pet.

Likewise, cats prioritize their territory over socialization, and their first reaction to a bearded dragon is likely to be curiosity and possibly a swipe or bite. Cats are also prone to redirected attention. If they notice you prioritizing a bearded dragon in their presence, they may inadvertently lash out at you.

While you may have heard that some owners allow their cat and beardie to play without issues, we believe that is too risky. It would be fantastic if your beardie and cat were naturally sociable with each other, but their instincts can quickly take over at any point.

Additional Tips for Safety

These additional tips can help you keep both your pets safe.

• Do not allow your cat to roam around your lizard’s tank. Your cat can jump up and break the glass or get burned from the heater.
• It is normal for your cat to want to pounce on your bearded dragon. Do not punish them for expressing normal behavior.
• Understand the signs of stress from your cat and your bearded dragon. You should consider moving your bearded dragon's enclosure elsewhere if they show any of these signs during their interaction.
• Do not leave your cat and bearded dragon unsupervised or allow them to interact freely.

Conclusion

There is no surefire way to guarantee that cats and bearded dragons will get along. Furthermore, their social requirements do not require the company of other species in their presence. So, it is recommended that the two species be socialized together.

Anecdotally, some people have housed these pets together successfully. Inter-species compatibility depends on the characteristics of the individual animals. Therefore, introductions are never risk-free and generally not advised.

If you want to introduce your pets, you should consider seeking compatible species or the services of a professional animal behaviorist or trainer.

• Related Read: Will My Cat Eat My Bearded Dragon? Coexisting & Socialization Tips

Featured Image Credit: Aastels, Shutterstock