Should I Be Worried About My Greyhound Barking At My Cat?
Filed under Care & Training Q&As
We adopted a retired greyhound about one month ago – he is gorgeous and very well behaved. We also have a cat, so are in the process of training the dog to get along with the cat (the rescue classed him as cat friendly, but obviously he still needs a little practice).
He has been doing very well. The 2 are kept separate by a dog gate and the dog is muzzled when the cat walks through to go upstairs (the cat has no interest in being close to the dog and still hisses and growls when the dog is close). With supervision he stays calm and relaxed and makes no move towards the cat.
He has been fine looking at the cat calmly through the gate too – the last couple of days though he keeps going to look at the cat through the gate and ends up barking at him (just once or twice) but he is wagging his tail as well.
The cat just seems to be sat there looking snooty (turned away slightly)
Should I be worried? (does he think he has just seen his tea? or does he think it is a friend?
Related posts:
Actually, a fairly high percentage of greys are cat friendly – 2 of my 3 most definitely are!
Having said that, the problem here is your cat. My 2 greys who are best friends with a cat, would not be friendly with a cat that hisses and growls at them. They would recognize that as aggression and react accordingly.
Believe me, I’ve seen greys go into “prey” mode and they do not wag their tails, nor to they bark. They draw themselves up tall, stand frozen and the look in their eyes is unmistakable. Your grey isn’t doing that. Him looking at the cat calmly through the gate is a sure sign, too.
You need to give them time and continue being cautious until the CAT stops the aggression. Hopefully your cat will get used to the dog being there, stop hissing, then the dog will also be calmer. Rescues do a good job testing greys for cat-friendliness – the problem is the cats they use are dog-friendly and the dogs aren’t prepared for a hissing cat.
Greyhounds are sighthounds (chasers) you’re going to have your work cut out trying to get your dog and cat to live in harmony, I’m not sure where you are but in the UK you’d be hard pushed to find a shelter that will rehome a greyhound with someone who already has a cat. It may well turn out ok for you, I hope it does, good luck.
he just wants to be friendly with you cat and possibly playful. but remember if he was used as a racing dog they chase a stuffed rabbit around the track .so he might think since it is a similar size he might want to chase it a bit good luck and thank you for rescuing the greyhound there need to be more people like you. good luck
Sounds to me like your greyhound is trying to play ( by his body language)!
And good for you for adopting him! I have always wanted to adopt one myself, beautiful animals, they don’t deserve what they go through.
Probly is starting to figure out your cat is a bit of a snob.
He is trying to say hey come over and play
But you cat is a tease.
I’ve adopted 2 greyhounds, I don’t have cats, but other adopters do and they have no problem, just as your they have been cat tested, I hope they told you that if the cat & dog are outside the cat will become prey even if OK together inside, as far as leaving the 2 together without supervision I’d me nervous, but thats just me, and if the cat is unfriendly I’ pretty sure the dog would react, thats nature, don’t know what to tell you except I don’t think your grey will be happy confined, thats what he came from, no sense in rescue to confine them again. Good Luck
don’t worry, my friend has a big black old lab and a small black kitten and the lab sometimes paws at the kitten but doesn’t really hurt it, he barks at her too and sometimes growls it also sometimes chases it but gets tired after a second cause he’s not really into the cat, he’ll also get down toward the cats body like he’s about to bite her only he just smells it and goes away, i don’t think your cat and dog are a problem with eachother, they’re not friends but dont worry, your dog’s not going to hurt your cat maybe play a bit but he won’t hurt him.
He’ll et used to the cat. He might be wondering why the cat the cat is ignoring him lol
Soudns like hes trying to get his attention.
If he wants to cause harm then he will most likely growl and pull his ears back.
Also rememeber greyhounds are really gentle and timid dogs.
True they might be sighthounds but they chase things far away. He will get used to the cat and since the cat seems calm the dog won’t be too excited.
Also the greyhound adoption agencies test their dogs before adopting out.