Carnivores

Castlevania features a variety of demonic four-legged carnivorous beasts such as predatory cats (Black Panthers), dogs (Hellhounds and Cerberi), or wolves (and Wargs). Many of them can run fast, possibly switching direction, and use charging, biting, or clawing as their main method of attack. Some possess mystical powers, such as the ability to breath fire (Cerberus and Hell Hound), turn you into stone (Hound in Castlevania 64), return from the dead (Zombie Dog in Super Castlevania 64), dissolve into indistructible liquid, or charge through the air. Some are mythical beasts (such as the three headed Cerberus, the Hell Hound, and the giant wolf Warg), while others are just fantastical or undead versions of real animals. Some are accompanied by their owners (Dead Mate) or riders (Warg Rider).

Anthropomorphic carnivores are considered Were Beasts and are featured on that page. Some carnivores do not appear as enemies in their own right or can be utilized by the player. When a Witch is defeated, it often turns into a small domestic cat and runs towards the hero and then away. This cat can still cause minor damage or be killed. Maria and Soma can use a Cat as a subweapon, which takes the form of a white tiger when used as an item crash. Alucard can take the form of a Wolf. The Black Dog appears on a DSS card that can be used by Nathan Graves and it can be summoned when combined with the Uranus Card. The lion Buer actually has five legs and moves in a different manner than the other Carnivores.