Adopting greyhound with cats

[user1494521813]

It is now time to adopt a dog. I have always wanted a greyhound but I have two cats Can greyhounds successfully adapt to living with cats or should I look at other dogs?

Depends on the dog.

My DM rescued a few greyhounds and she had cats, but they lived upstairs and a stairgate kept the dogs away from them.

On another note greyhounds loooove hedgehogs even more than cats...

I've been toying with this idea for years and from extensive googling, I wouldn't risk it. It only takes one slip and you'll regret it terribly.

I wouldn't. I too have looked at getting a greyhound in the past but because we have always had cats it just wasn't feasable

I have lurchers, and also have cats. I foster lurcher puppies for a rescue, and only 2 have turned out to not be cat safe. Several of the other foster homes also have cats, so it's really not unusual.

I've seen lots of greyhounds rehomed with cats, the best thing to do is let the rescue know you're looking for a cat tested dog (assuming it's a retired racer you're after). One of the benefits of having a greyhound is that they generally don't like going upstairs (there are exceptions though) so as long as the cat can dash off upstairs and feel secure it should be fine. Good luck, you won't regret it!

We adopted a greyhound he killed a cat and nearly killed another. It’s a big risk.

Any sighthound rescue worth their salt will clearly indicate whether a given dog is cat-safe or not.

I’ve greyhounds none of mine needed to live with cats but i’ve met plenty of owners socially that have greyhounds & cats successfully, often they’ve raced but its a windsock they chase at the track. Prey drive can vary between indoors & out, other animals behaviour (running can trigger a chase) so isn’t as simplistic as first seems.

Many of the breed rescues can cat test the dogs & advise on best way to introduce & continue training. The breed has its traits but they’re all individuals.

Thank you all for your feedback. I have a lot to think about regarding a greyhound and cats but there does seem to be hope!

As someone said, speak to the Greyhound/sighthound rescue that you're going to use, they will all cat test. Ours most definitively is not cat safe but we didn't need her to be.

Other than a ludicrous prey drive, she is the best thing we've ever done - and I include the children in that!

Depends on the dog. Also depends on the cat - one that runs away is likely to be less of a good idea than one that stands their ground and administers a couple of training swipes to the pointy nose.

Our now departed cat absolutely terrorised the shit out of our dogs - we've since lost both dog and cat sides of that equation but the sight of a 3 legged cat chasing a retired greyhound around the house was hilarious and regular.

Current dog - no way would she get on with a cat - she's killed one (to be fair - the cat started it - leapt at her with all claws out in full on alien face hugger mode and the cat was a complete prey-crazy psychopath) - her prey drive is too extreme to even consider it.

Depends on the cat as much as the dog.

Parents' lurcher would never have tested as catsafe. Was a rescue Saluki/greyhound that almost certainly had been bred and used for hare coursing.

However she made friends with a neighbour's cat who clearly wasn't bothered and stood her ground. With my cats who all ran for the hills, she was a nightmare and after one visit, that was it.