[PrairieProf]

There is a ton of information on greyhounds and other animals online here; worth searching around! Many of us live with greys and other animals. Greyhound adoption groups screen dogs before you adopt them; many are safe with small animals, some aren't; you will be looking to adopt a "cat safe" greyhound. You also have to actively teach them to leave the other pets alone. They may or may not become friends, but in most cases they'll at least peaceably cohabit.

[fsugrad]

Hi and welcome to Grey Talk!
We adopted our first greyhound about 1 1/2 years ago and our 2nd greyhound last December. We unintentionally actually worked our way up over the years, first having an Italian Greyhound, then a Whippet, and now 2 Greyhounds.
Greyhounds are the most awesome breed and we have been enriched and blessed sharing our lives with them.
My youngest son is allergic to cats, so when we fell in love with our first GH, we didn't care (nor did the adoption group) whether he was cat-safe or not, since all we had was a whippet at the time, and we knew we'd never own a cat. I now know that he is cat safe.
When we decided to adopt a 2nd GH last fall, we purposely sought out a non-cat safe large male because we know those are the hardest to adopt out. And he is definitely NOT cat safe...in fact, he has a high prey drive and dislikes any dogs besides greyhounds. My vet calls him a breed snob!
But he is perfect in our family. There are many many GT'ers who have small dogs and multiple cats and their GH's coexist just fine with them!!!
You have certainly found the perfect place to come with any questions you might have. And if you adopt, we'll need to see lots of pictures! Those are the rules around here!!

[Harry702]

We have two cats, and one extremely cat-safe greyhound named Harry. We've had Harry for about a year now, and he's GREAT with our cats (and small animals, baby woodland creatures, you name it...). I don't think we could've found a dog with a lower prey drive, greyhound or otherwise. Every once a while his ears will stand up when he sees a squirrel scamper across his path on walks, but even that is pretty rare. He mostly ignores the small fuzzies. That said, we've had foster dogs and not one has been as good with the small animals as he is... many are easily trainable, others would be a significant challenge to train, and a few can never live with small animals. For a first grey, I'd look for a group who fosters their dogs, and look for a foster dog with a proven history living with a cat, either the foster parent has a cat, or the dog is a bounce who lived in a home with cats previously. I say proven history living with a cat because I'm very skeptical of cat testing... very skeptical. Just me. Har-ball lived with a kitty in his foster home and it was tremendously reassuring to see his utter lack of interest in the cat before we decided to bring him into a house with our two feline babies.

Sounds like you'd give a greyhound a great home! Best of luck!

[Downtownhoundz]

Hiya When I brought my girl home, I kept her muzzle on while my cats were around. There was the natural curiosity on both sides. My little female aby came right up to my 73 lb girl smacked her and sat right in front og her dating her to do anything about it. Since that day they all have a respect for each other. Go get your houndie!!!

[andthisisfresh]

I don't have a cat, but my mom does. My hound spends a good amount of time at her house while I'm out working. He has no interest at all in the kitty, but the kitty does not like him. It's been about two weeks now and they just sorta avoid each other at this point. I don't think they will ever be friends, but they seem to have an understanding.

[Ullaluv]

[quote name='Harry702' date='Apr 9 2009, 11:57 AM' post='3943970']
For a first grey, I'd look for a group who fosters their dogs, and look for a foster dog with a proven history living with a cat, either the foster parent has a cat, or the dog is a bounce who lived in a home with cats previously. I say proven history living with a cat because I'm very skeptical of cat testing... very skeptical. Just me. Har-ball lived with a kitty in his foster home and it was tremendously reassuring to see his utter lack of interest in the cat before we decided to bring him into a house with our two feline babies.



Same opinion here as far as cat testing goes, especially if they say the Grey is cat safe because he was "afraid of the cat." I have a big boy who came here (and stayed) as a foster after going after the cats in his first foster home. He had tested cat safe at the kennel. (He has also killed a cat in the back yard - I obviously didn't know the car was there when I let him out - so he wasn't just trying to play with the cats.

[greymama002]

When we introduced our greys to our cat, (who is very skittish with everybody & everything) we used a muzzle, but nether of our greys were the least bit interested in chasing. Now our two greys keep a polite distance from our kitty. They do often hang out in the same room, but if a grey gets within reach of kitty, she will stick out a paw to warn them to stay away. So they aren't friends, but coexist fine. Some cats do become very friendly with greys, though, really depends on the personality.

Best wishes on adopting a greyhound! You are in for much joy!

[houndstooth4]

We had cats when we got our first three greyhounds. A lot of what happens between greys and cats depends on the personalities of both parties. One of our cats we used as a cat tester and I think he cured a lot of more timid greyhounds of ever looking at another cat again! I'd heard that if my greyhound was too interested in the cats I would know. Well, for the first couple of weeks she kept trying to get them to play with her. It wasn't until we brought our cockatiel out one night that I saw what too interested looked like. She was like a cartoon character with telescoping eyeballs when she saw that bird! After that, I didn't worry about her with them anymore. We did crate ours in the beginning when they first came home and we couldn't be there. We also used muzzles when we did initial introductions. A cat that is young (or young at heart) and will run away is a lot more of a lure to a hound who hasn't been around cats before. A cat that will stand up to the dog or who is indifferent to the dog will encite a different reaction.

Another thing to remember is that a cat indoors with a greyhound is very different from a cat outdoors with a cat. Both behave a lot differently outdoors. I wouldn't risk mine outside with cats. Not that I think they're aggressive, but because they do love the game of chase.

Oh, and welcome to Greytalk! This place is a lot of fun and wickedly addictive! I hope we see pictures of your new hound soon! Are you looking at QCGA, Greyhounds Only or Midwest Greyhounds? Or another group that I haven't heard of yet?

[GreytMuse]

Both of our boys coexist with a cat peacefully -- Steven tolerates her presence, and Atticus will actually let her lay right by him and seems not to mind at all. Both of our boys had tested cat-trainable while being fostered, though we found out later that Atticus had actually killed an outside kitty at his fostermom's house.

In the beginning, we watched like hawks and made very sure that the kitty had escape routes with creatively placed babygates throughout the house. (Raised off the ground 6' or so for her to slip under).

Welcome to GreyTalk! Best of luck with your adoption plans, and please let us know how your search is going! We do so love to know details!!

[TBSFlame]

If you have one that is not cat safe and never will be you will know it. Tessie would stalk her intended victims. Her eyes would glaze over and you couldn't break it. She never made a sound. She would start to drool. She was very high prey and I have no doubts she would have killed a cat if given the opportunity. Flame is the same way. No barking. I think most can be taught to live with inside cats and small dog but there are those few that will never be okay. You will know it right away.

[dante2zoe]

Welcome! You are getting ready to embark on an entirely new journey! We live with 3 greyhounds, one whippet, four cats and other miscellaneous critters in tanks. Our first greyhound came to us straight from the racing kennel. He is actually our safest cat safe grey. I have pictures somewhere of one cat napping on Dante's head while both are lying in a sunbeam. Our second grey is more cat-tolerable. She knows better than to go after them, but doesn't want them near her space. She was the only one of the three that was fostered. Our newest grey is a lovable goofball and noticed the cats but didn't do anything about them. Our whippet is fine with "his" cats, but will go after any others he sees outside. Three of our current cats we have gotten as kittens after we have had at least one grey. They show no fear and have had to be trained to be respectful. Good luck with your new family member and remember our main rule around here - PICTURES!

[Che_mar_Cody]

Hi Pam! Welcome!

I also had 2 kitties when I got Cody. I used a muzzle to introduce him but honestly the kitties wanted nothing to do with him for some time. Once they did the kitties ruled the house! Poor pup wouldn't even go through the door way to pee if momma cat was blocking it.
My son's birds walk on top of Cody's back like he's the bus...just no problems. My pup will even protect our cats against a bully cat while outside in our yard. When outside sometimes the rules can change, so take caution when both are outdoors.
Like another said...GO GET YOUR HOUNDIE!!

[robinw]

My second greyhound, Loca was said to be cat safe before I adopted her. As soon as I walked in the door with her for the first time, she went after my cat and didn't stop for a few months. After tethering her to my waist for over a month and muzzling her when I wasn't home, they became great friends. She's been good around other cats but isn't safe with other small animals. I have to take responsibility for her reaction to my cat as I didn't take any of the necessary precautions for their first meeting.

[Jennifer4719]

When I first brought Xena home, she was somewhat interested in my cat. When the cat was secluded, Xena didn't care about her, but when she saw the cat she would perk up and want to chase. My cat is very skittish and runs when she is scared, so that only added to the game. We usually kept Xena muzzled around the cat, but now that 4 years have passed and Xena now knows that she is not to mess with the cat, I don't muzzle her when I am home to monitor things.

Welcome to the board and good luck searching for your perfect hound!

[Harry702]

Since you mentioned pics...

Harry and new feline sister, Athena, about 12 hours after he first came home...


Harry and Nala, our shy kitty, a few months ago...


I wouldn't say that they're best friends, but everyone gets along okay... Harry is so non-threatening to them. It may take a few weeks/months for your cat to adjust to the new family member... but everyone will be fine in time.

[jetcitywoman]

We have a cat and recently adopted a retired racer too. They get along fine for the most part. Pixie the cat hisses when Capri gets too close. Capri mostly ignores her, but occasionally is curious and wants to be friends. Just yesterday when I was petting Capri, Pix came over to be petted too. Capri leaned toward her, Pix hissed and moved away, Capri whined and then roo'ed. As Pix trotted to safety in the other room, Capri did a play bow and bouncily trotted after her. It was very sweet.

I keep telling Capri that the kitty doesn't like being roo'ed at. (Mommy on the other hand thinks it's adorable!)

(I should add that I'm not too worried about aggression in the house at this point. Capri's shown none toward Pixie, and Pix can run like greased lightening when she wants to. Plus there are lots of teensy hidey holes around the house for her to dive into.)

This post has been edited by jetcitywoman: 10 April 2009 - 08:15 PM