Even though we cat test all Greyhounds who are placed in adoptive homes with cats, there are no
guarantees when it comes to dogs and cats living peacefully together. When bringing your new Greyhound home to meet your
feline pack for the first time, you must keep your Greyhound muzzled and on leash, under your complete control. You want
your Greyhound to get the point that the cat is a member of your "pack" and not fun to chase or otherwise harass or harm.
You may need to hold or even leash your cat during these introductions. Being a Greyhound, he will most likely want to
chase the cat if she runs, but occasionally, a stronger prey drive may make the Greyhound more cat aggressive.
Again, if he tries to dart for the cat, firmly correct your Greyhound with a low growly sounding "NO" and a firm jerk of his
leash. Don't unmuzzle or unleash him around your cat until you feel comfortable with their interactions. Very often the
cat has a word or two to say, and emerges as a pretty bold and tough character. Be very careful at first and never leave
the cat and the Greyhound loose together in the house.
Chances are once the
cat can leave your "meeting room", you will not see her for several
days until SHE is ready to accept your Greyhound. Your cat may also
take a liking to sleeping on tall tables, shelves or perches until she
feels comfortable around the Greyhound.
You will need to rethink how you feed your cat, so that your new Greyhound will not eat her food (which is irresistible to
Greyhounds). Also, Greyhounds tend to love to eat cat poop out of the litterbox. So placing the litterbox up high
or in a room which is blocked by a baby gate about 12 inches off the floor (so the cat can go under but not the Greyhound) is
also something to think about...
Please understand, although your Greyhound may have totally accepted your cat while in the house, his acceptance may NOT
apply to your cat or your neighbors cat when they are outside together. If a cat and a Greyhound get into a fight, the cat
will LOSE the fight and may be killed.
Thanks to RecycledRacers.org for the preceding information.
Greyhound Care Manual compiled & written by Marnie Grosz of Recycled Racers Inc
- © Copyright 2003
