How do I introduce my greyhound to the new kitten?

Question

I have a 2 yr old female greyhound, and I just got a male Ragdoll kitten. So far they've only met with the bars of a cage or gate between them. The greyhound isn't acting agressive, more like she wants to play. However, with the way she plays with her toys, I'm not sure the kitten would survive! She snaps her teeth at the kitten, which is what she tends to do when she's in a playful mood. I'm just afraid of the kitten getting hurt accidentally. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Cats and sighthounds do not always go together very well. If your kitten runs it is possible she will course it and kill it. It is just her nature, she has been bred for running down small game.

I would NEVER leave them alone together. It only takes one time for the prey drive to kick in. They may be fine as long as you supervise but be aware that it can happen in the blink of an eye. Cats outside are usually thought of as prey.

My parents had 2 cats for years with their hounds and one day their prey drive turned on, end of cat. I would be much more worried about the kitten getting hunted than hurt accidentally

There are people that have cats with sighhounds. I personally think it is much to risky and will never have cats in my house.

Answer 2

I own two sighthounds, almost the size of your greyhound. Yes, sighthounds ARE very prey driven, however, to accuse sighthounds of always killing cats is being prejudice against that type of dog. When I went over my parent's house, they have a Chihuahua AND a cat. My girl wanted to play with them, but roughly. Sighthounds are not usually known to be agressive. They're NOT a guardian breed, they don't have that type of instinct. Playing with their mouth and "biting" is usally how they play. Usually you can tell aggression by a low throat growl, or when it just doesn't sound like "playing" anymore and trust me, you'll know the sound.

So, to introduce them, I agree to start out slow, they need to be familiar with each other's scent. Have the greyhound on a leash with someone holding it while you hold the cat. Let them smell a little, DON'T let your dog jump up. If there is ANY sign of rough housing or nipping you don't want, immediately say NO and take the cat away. Try again later and keep doing this until you think it's comfortable to put the cat on the floor. DO remember, sighthounds are usually more interested in things that MOVE, so your hound may be ok with the cat not moving. Don't think he'll feel the same when the cat is running around the house. I hope this helps. Check out the below links:

Answer 3

Hey the best thing to do if you have a screen door that you can see through like a door to your back yard or whatever you should put the kitten inside and the dog out this way your kitten will not get scared in your arms and scratch you and your dog wont hurt him after a week or so they will get used to the smell of each other you should put the kitten outside the back door lock the dog up and stand outside with it and walk towards it clapping or making loud noise to scare it so it runs inside once it is used to this it knows inside it is safe when the kitten wants to go outside on its own when your dog is around it is ready leave the door open so he can run in if he is scared and always be ready to grab him if your dog gets rough just until he is a bit bigger hope this helps

Answer 4

I am not so sure she is being playful when she snaps her teeth, my dog only likes to chase my cat but if she ever snapped at my cat she would be banned to the laundry room. Keep them seperated as much as possible, it could be deadly to the kitten if the dog gets after her and make sure the kitten has somewhere to hide if the dog gets loose and attacks the cat.

Answer 5

having them meet through a gate is definitely a good idea at first just to get them used to one another. for the first face to face visit, have the dog on a leash and the kitten held by someone else(you will need at least two people, one for each animal) space them out, at opposite ends of the room and gradually work their way to the middle of the room. if there seems to be any trouble, separate them and try again later. if not, let them play for a little while. most importantly, don't leave them together unsupervised at first. Best of luck!!!

Answer 6

Go into a small room without any young children, and hold the kitten close to the dog, and let them smell each other, be prepared for hissing, spitting, and growling if kitty is not used to dogs. speak gently to both animals, this is what worked for me when I introduced our kitties to our dogs(both boys). The dog's helped raise two babies (kitties) that were abandoned at birth. We could not keep them as Apt manager did not allow that many pets. but Our new cat (Queenie) rules the boys.

Answer 7

Well I would say with catsup and mustard... j/k

I wouldn't let them alone togeather just in case the greyhound decides to be rugh, but as long as your monitoring them, possibly even holding the kitten, there shouldn't be a problem, I would wait until the kitten is old enough to defend its self before allowing them alone togeather, unless you clearly see that your dog won't be to violent with it.

Answer 8

Very carefully! Greyhouds are very prey driven, that's how they get them to race. Your best bet is to start off with the dog on leash and see how he does. And always keep them separate when you are not home. Lastly, allow the cat to remain clawed, as most dogs don't care about hissing or hunching up, the claws are often a cat's only defense.

Answer 9

Ohhh, a furry little thing to play with! Or is that a wabbit!!!! I'd be careful, but introduce them slowly, you with the kitten on your lap, make her sit, and reward her for being gentle. Any sign of nipping, repremand her.
Good luck! Most dogs seem to understand that cats belong in their home if introduced slowly. They want to please their owners, so hopefully she will be no different.
My dog chases stray cats, but my cat is like a friend to her

Answer 10

Give the kitten to someone else. To the greyhound, the kitten is a toy.