On our Adoptable Dog profiles, you will often see sighthounds who are labeled “cat-tolerant”, or sometimes “cat-workable”. But what do these terms mean?
Cat-tolerant hounds are dogs who have “passed” their cat test. This means they were minimally interested in the cat, easily redirected, or didn’t react at all.
Cat-workable or likely-cat-tolerant hounds can be thought of as having received a below-average score on their cat test. They likely reacted initially, but could be redirected. Often times, these dogs want to play with the cat, not harm them, but because of their size difference or play style may still pose an unintentional risk.
Dogs described as not cat safe are usually dogs who have “failed” their cat test. They likely had a strong reaction to the cat, such as lunging, barking, or simply been impossible to redirect once they locked eyes on their “prey”. These are not bad dogs by any means, and often make wonderful, sweet, loving pets.
How do I decide whether a cat-tolerant dog is right for me?
We make that choice easy! If you have a cat, we strongly encourage selecting a dog that has tested as “cat-tolerant”. There are many cat-tolerant dogs who need homes, and even if we do not have any today, there are always more waiting who will be available soon!
If you do not have a cat, we strongly, strongly encourage you to select from the dogs who have tested “not cat safe”. This allows those who truly need a cat-tolerant dog to have options. If a dog has been available for a while, they are almost always one who has been designated “not cat safe”, simply because there are fewer adoptive homes available to them. We appreciate your help in looking at these hounds first, so we can make sure as many dogs as possible can find homes!
On rare occasions, we designate a dog as “cat-workable” or “likely-cat-tolerant”. We typically try to re-test dogs who give this initial result, but not every foster home has access to a cat to do the testing. If you have a cat and would like to adopt a hound designated “likely-cat-tolerant”, you should plan to introduce your pets slowly and carefully.
If I adopt a cat-tolerant hound, is that the same thing as a cat-safe hound?
We prefer to avoid the term “cat-safe” because we cannot guarantee any particular dog will get along with any particular cat. Just like people, sometimes pets simply don’t like each other, or a playful kitten may illicit a different response than a sleepy senior cat. If you tell your adoption coordinator about your other pets, they can help you pick the best hound for your situation.
A cat test is also done in a very controlled environment, often by volunteers from the shelters or kennels we pull dogs from, and sometimes by our volunteers or fosters. A calm, adult cat will typically be present in the room, and a volunteer will bring in the hound, on leash and wearing a muzzle. The dog’s reaction is noted, along with their ability to be redirected, and that is typically the basis for their designation as “cat-tolerant” or not. This test is usually accurate, but it is not fool-proof. Sometimes, there will also be feline siblings in a dog’s foster home, which can give us more information on their cat status.
If I have small dogs or young children, do I need to adopt a cat-tolerant hound?
Cats and small dogs are often thought as interchangeable, but we’ve found that the majority of our hounds are able to live with small dogs even if they cannot live with cats. If we know a hound is not safe around small dogs, we will share that on their profile.
If a dog is not “cat-tolerable”, you should still exercise caution around small dogs, especially at first. Use a muzzle and leash for introductions, and do not leave them alone together until you are completely comfortable. Sometimes, only a specific breed may be an issue for a particular dog, such as a Bichon or Shih-Tzu. These fluffy white dogs may remind some hounds of the lures and prey they’re used to chasing, while other hounds may be unbothered by them.
Occasionally, we have a dog that would not do well with young children, but this is almost never correlated with cat-tolerance. Dogs who cannot live with cats are still extremely sweet, loving, and gentle towards people. They truly make wonderful pets!
If I have a cat, how should I introduce my new hound to them?
We are glad to connect you with a volunteer who can help you with this, but there are generally a few steps you can take to ensure a good start to your pets’ relationship!
- Be patient – Don’t introduce your cat on Day 1. Give your dog a day or two to decompress, and keep your cat in a bedroom or similar. This allows your dog to adjust to the sounds and scents of the cat before meeting them.
- Meet safely – Consider putting your cat in a carrier for the initial introduction. This ensures your dog can sniff, but your cat cannot bolt away in fear and trigger a prey drive response.
- Keep calm – The time for introductions is when everyone is relaxed. If your dog has just come in from zoomies in the yard, it is not a good time. If you have kids, it may be a good idea to have them leave the room so it is quieter with fewer distractions.
- Use the muzzle – Your hound’s muzzle is a great tool for cat introductions. (If you’re not sure how to use it, just ask one of our volunteers.) This likely won’t be necessary, but it’s better to be prepared than surprised if something does go wrong.
- Use the leash – Again, be over-cautious. Keep your hound on a short leash. You can even leave the leash (and muzzle) on for the first few hours or days, in case you need to make a quick grab.
- Plan for escape – Make sure your cat has somewhere to go if they need to make a quick run for it. This could be a cat-sized door to the basement, a gate blocking off a bedroom that they could dart under or over – somewhere that is easily accessible and hound-proof!
- Know your dog – If this is your first time as a sighthound owner, remember: they’re fast, and they can be very tall if they stand up on their hind legs. Make sure your cat’s getaway is nearby, and don’t rely on furniture like cat trees to provide an escape.
- Stay cautious – Everything went well, and your cat and your sighthound are now best friends! But, for the first few weeks, it’s wise to make sure they aren’t left alone. If you’ll be out, separate cats and dogs, whether that’s putting the cat in the bedroom or your hound in the crate.
Are all of those cat introduction steps really necessary?
In most cases, your cat-tolerant hound and cat would probably get along fine if you skipped some steps. But we really want introductions to go well, and we assume you do, too! By taking a few extra steps and being careful, you can reduce the risk of any issues between your pets, both initially and down the road. If your cat is scared by the dog during introductions, they are more likely to run, which is more likely to cause your dog to chase… which will definitely scare your cat even further! Introducing them slowly in a calm environment can help prevent this cycle.
Is there anything else I should know about living with a sighthound and a cat?
Many of our adopters and fosters have sighthounds and cats who happily live together – whether that is simply co-existing in the same space or actually cuddling up on the couch together! Their families report everyone gets along wonderfully.
One thing to keep in mind is that the rules in your home, with your cats, don’t always apply to new environments or new cats. If your hound will be meeting a new feline, use their muzzle and leash for introductions. You should also never trust your dog outside with your cat, even if they get along well indoors. When outside, your dog may be more likely to view small animals as prey, and no one wants to take that risk!
If your cat and newly adopted hound have any issues getting along, reach out to your adoption coordinator for help. In the event you need to return your dog, please try to give us as many details as possible about their interactions with your cat. This will help us determine whether a dog can be placed with a different cat, or if they must go to a home without felines.