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Seemingly Renewed Prey Drive


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Over the last week, Magic has shown some prey drive. He chased squirrels in the yard. Prior to the last week, he barely gave squirrels notice even if one would cross his path on a walk and hadn't really chased them in the yard. I usually joke that his only prey drive is for cookies and petting; although he did show some interest in moles on a couple of occasions.

 

Is it possible for a greyhound with seemingly no prey drive for 6+ years to suddenly show some? Magic is 10 1/2 and has been with me for almost 6

years.

 

Other than keeping an eye out when Magic and Whiskers (the cat) are in the yard together and when we meet small dogs on walks and pet stores, does anyone have any suggestions?


Carol, missing Magic (1/5/01 - 4/15/15) but welcoming Fuzzy's Joy Behar (Joy) into my life on 5/31/15.

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Guest sja5032

Is it possible that he recently caught something or had a close encounter? A lot of times all it takes is one catch or close chase to renew a prey drive for a while. As long as there is no way for him to get out of the yard on a chase I wouldn't worry, its just instinct :)

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Usually, chasing squirrels doesn't translate to chasing already known smal animals (like the cat). My five will all go after a squirrel or free-range outdoor cat, but are still scared of my indoor ones. If he was cat ad small dog tolerant before, he likely will remain that way.

 

Have you always had a yard for him to run in??? It could just be he is finally noticing them.

Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora)

52592535884_69debcd9b4.jpgsiggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr

Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly

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Usually, chasing squirrels doesn't translate to chasing already known smal animals (like the cat). My five will all go after a squirrel or free-range outdoor cat, but are still scared of my indoor ones. If he was cat ad small dog tolerant before, he likely will remain that way.

 

Have you always had a yard for him to run in??? It could just be he is finally noticing them.

 

We've had a yard for a few years now (over a couple of different homes). This is the first place we've lived with a bird feeder that attracts the squirrels. I don't recall too many squirrels in the previous yards.


Carol, missing Magic (1/5/01 - 4/15/15) but welcoming Fuzzy's Joy Behar (Joy) into my life on 5/31/15.

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Guest Greyt_dog_lover

Personally I wouldn't trust your hound and cat outside together, but that is just me, and that has nothing to do with the fact that cats outdoors destroy the ecosystem (animal life) faster than any other urban predator.

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