Cats/Small dogs - checking safety

[tigerseye]

Hi

There is a grey I have been interested in fostering for a while who is very good with small dogs - tiny yorkie types and smaller - who dart around his legs and he isn't phased at all.

He is apparently an ex-racer but the rescue in question cannot cat-test him but feel as he is fine with very small dogs he would be OK.

As I have a cat and a small-ish house, I am wondering if small dog friendliness equates to potential cat friendliness, or if the two are completely different things.

I have some time off coming up so I may be able to supervise for 3 days to test them together, but we both work FT so to some extent they would be left to their own devices during the day after this. I may be able to separate them for up to 1 week but beyind that wouldn't be fair on the cat.

Any ideas?

[FeeFee]

I'm afraid that the only way to know for sure would be to cat-test him properly. Molly, my old greyhound girl, was bombproof with dogs of any size including tiny ones, but was definitely not cat friendly.

Dogs can tell the difference between different kinds of animals, and being good with one doesn't necessary transfer to another. My little terrier totally ignores rabbits running around in the field, she doesn't even look at them, but goes berserk if she sees a cat.

[tigerseye]

Thanks, I did think that cats are not the same as small dogs, or chickens, or squirrells....!!!

My friend's terrier hates cats but lives with ducks and guinea pigs!!!!

[Jen Wren]

I agree with feefee. The Greys in my house are good with all dogs big and small, (although Biggles looks at small dogs like 'what the hell are they??') Definately NOT cat friendly.

Cat test the hound first would be the only way.

[lurcherlot]

I think you would be taking an extremely large risk in thinking you could leave a greyhound and cat together after just three days We advise that they are not left together - when you're there and in control of the situation, your hound may well respect your wishes, but it could be a very different matter in your absence.

[Flaperoo]

As said before beware. My Peggy wags her tail and is friendly to other dogs, even minature yorkies , but cats, small furries and even anything as big as a fox she is DEADLY with .

Good luck with your search.

Mary XX

[Lisa]

Have to agree without a cat test I would say its too risky. I have dogs that are small dog friendly but will trip out at the sight of a cat. We always advise our adopters that cats and greyhounds are never left together period when un supervised. I know people like Alicia and Ray who have 5 cat friendly hounds and years of sighthound ownership always make sure the cats are safely segregated when they need to go out still.

[andywillow]

I'd definitely say small dog friendly does not mean cat friendly Some of my hounds are fabulous with any size/breed of dog but given the chance would quite happily munch on a cat

Sue

[tigerseye]

Hmmm, we'll have to see what we can work out about said dog....luckily the lurcher they sent me is scared of my cat and gives him a wide berth, except when the cat cuddles him and makes him go all soppy!!!!

I suppose we were just very lucky!!!

I just feel sad for this poor little grey in kennels, we easily have room for him here but no way of testing him....

Thanks for your replies, will give it more thought.

[kats-n-greys]

Aug 3, 2008 7:55:05 GMT -5 Lisa said:

Have to agree without a cat test I would say its too risky. I have dogs that are small dog friendly but will trip out at the sight of a cat. We always advise our adopters that cats and greyhounds are never left together period when un supervised. I know people like Alicia and Ray who have 5 cat friendly hounds and years of sighthound ownership always make sure the cats are safely segregated when they need to go out still.

Ours are seperated when we leave them for a number of reasons.

One being that the cats can play by chasing each other around and although the dogs don't react while we are here, they might want to join in and forget that the cats aren't as big as them.

Another being our cats when chasing have habit of running over the dogs (we do discourage them ) and they have hurt the dogs before now Tilly our bridge girl grabbed a mouth full of fur and Sorda has definitely had a snap at them before now (to be honest I've yelled at them when they have jumped across us.
I can testify to the damage cat claws can do running across something at speed.)

I believe that a sighthound operates on a different level when it sees something moving fast, it's brain doesn't see what it is - just the movement- hence greyhounds etc chasing a plastic bag.

Our cats are happy so long as they have a comfy bed, water, a ltter tray and a treat.
We do have an outside run so some are in that during the day too.

[tigerseye]

I think the grey in question has just found a home

I will dream of the day I get my own grey, I'll stick to lurchers and collies for now. After all, my cat's going to live forever, so I'm going to have a long wait.