Hello everybody. I'm new to the message board and to Greyhounds. I just found out tonight my application to adopt a Greyhound has been approved. That's about the best Valentines Day gift i could have asked for!!! I've only been waiting to hear on my application for 5 days but it feels more like a month.
I was lucky enough to meet "Emma" last Saturday at the kennel. I had only planned to go by and take a look. I had no plans to adopt anytime soon, or so i thought! I ended up spending more than 3 hours there. I filled out an application and Emma was the first of three dogs i got to meet. They were all amazing dogs but there was something a little special about Emma. It was love at first sight!!
Anyway, I will be bringing her home this weekend. I can't wait!

This leads to the first of many questions that are sure to come. I have 2 cats and i want to make sure everything goes smoothly and they all get along. I've read all the information that i could get my hands on on introducing Emma to my cats but if anyone has been through this and has any advice i'd love to hear from you.
Any and all advice would greatly appreciated!! I'll let you know how the first weekend goes!
GG

Congratulations! Is this your first grey? If so, welcome to the world of greyhound love!! I have 3 amazing, charismatic, characters! In the beginning, I had no intention of having more than 1, so... be prepared, hope her "Gotcha Day" is a great one! No experience with greys and cats, except mine have chased a few in the backyard! Good luck, and again... Congratulations!

Did the kennel tell You if Emma was cat safe or not? This would be nice to know before You bring Her home. It might save You a trip back to the kennel to return her if it doesn't work out. I would have wanted to know this before I selected a dog. JMHO

Congratulation on your adoption!! Greyhounds are wonderful. I have a 19 yr old cat and she doesn't move fast enough to even attract the attention of the greyhounds.

Emma is listed as Cat Trainable which means she didn't show any undue attention to cats. When you bring Emma home it is best to have an extra person who can assist with introducing the two animals. Do you have someone who can help you? If not, where are you located? There is probably someone on this forum that is close to your area that could help. The kennel will give you a sheet that goes over cat introduction.

There is also a good section in the Greyhound for Dummies book. If you like I can fax it to you. Send me an email or PM and let me know if you would like me to send.

With cats I have found a babygate is your friend. My cat has her own bedroom and we keep the babygate up off the floor so she can walk under but the greyhounds are kept out of her food and liter box. And out of her kennel. Yes my cat sleeps in a dog kennel. She LOVES it. Did I say she was 19 - maybe she is senile.

Again congrats on the adoption. Happy V day!

Thanks so much. Yes she is my first grey. If i didn't already have 2 cats i would have probably looked fo a second while i was there. I'll have to see how that goes.
Yes Emma is cat trainable. That was the only requirement that i had. I think my cats will be fine but you never really know until they meet.

Maggies Mom, thanks for the info. I do have someone that i'm bringing with my to pick up Emma.

I actually ordered "Retired Racing Grayhounds For Dummies" and it showed up today. I'll be sure to read through it.

The baby gate idea sounds like a good idea. I can use it to keep Emma out of rooms the cats may use.

Congratulations !!!

Good luck with the cat thing.
I have had 8 greyhounds with 4 different cats over time and each dog reacted to the cats in a different way and needed a different kind of time with the cat to get to know them and understand them.
Be sure to call us and let us help you problem solve if you need it.
You have a wealth of experience available.

Congrats! You are about find out how wonderful greyhounds really are, they are addicting so get ready!

Muzzle, muzzle, muzzle......... Magic words & they are our friends & little furries friends Never under estimate the power of these animals no matter how safe they appear at times. Also inside & outside can usually bring about 2 different dogs. Some can be docile inside & very small animal tolerant but outside their instincts peak & they become more aware of everything. Have fun & posted any questions, many pics & updates!!!

Congratulations on your new baby Emma.Hope all goes well with Emma and the cat!! Everyone gave you some excellent advive.
I have 3 greys...and only was gonna have 1.Look Out!!
We have Paige(6yrs old)..Pride(3) and Blue Moon(10).
Sandy

Congratulations on adopting Emma, she is a beauty. I am Linda (Charlotte area) and I have 5 greys and 1 pot-bellied pig.

congrats to both you and emma!!!! i wish you many years of happiness together! we also have cats and what we did was have monday's crate in the den so he could get used to the sounds and hustle and bustle of our daily life (we have 2 skinkids), and also kenna, our cat, could come and go as she pleased and they could get the "sense and smell" of each other. then, i would let monday out of the crate and when kenna came by, i could see their reactions. she could easily hide and get away and i was there to hold him back if need be. he seemed a bit interested at 1st, but then was like...okay, i see she smells different and moves different and that's okay. he never tried to go after her in a violent way. i agree that muzzling is a great thing as far as everyone's safety is concerned. now, when monday was a-okay with kenna, when we went on walks, he was very interested in our outside cats! i tried to introduce them and monday tried to knaw on barnee's ear so i had to be careful because the outsiders were not afraid of dogs. in time, though, everyone gets along great and monday gets along fine with barnee. if we are walking and he sees someone else's outdoor cat, it's a different story! sorry this is so long. please call or pm me if i can help you at all. be patient and emma will be the best dog you ever had!!!!

I like the "crate in the den" technique, I think it is a greyt way for everyone to check each other out and get used to one another in a safe way. It worked well for all my dogs except for Joy, she hated it! It put her in orbit!
I have known some dogs who did better with the cat in a crate and a thorough safe "sniff fest" that way.
When they were crated and could not get to the cat they got very upset.
So, all I am saying is there is no one way, you have to experiment a little some times and go with your gut but be safe. Use that muzzle!!!
There is nothing sweeter than a cat safe greyhound. I love it when they are gentle and loving with the cat.
But, I also have a not cat safe greyhound and he is sweet too. Just when he is not trying to taste the kitties

Ok Greg lets hear it how are things going?