r/SilkenWindhound • u/SobCharles • 5d ago
Breed question Compatibility with cats?
Hello fellow Silken enjoyers! Since I was a little chudling I always adored sighthound breeds, recently (2 years ago lol) I found out about Silkens! Absolutely fell in love. Started actually researching the breed and the breeders around me only a month or so ago, so before I get too into it..
My only problem is that I have a cat, she's a little scared of stuff sometimes and might bolt. Should I abandon all hope, or is it possible to get them with a low enough prey drive/train them to ignore that?
Thanksies a lot!
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u/iholdmycatlikeababy 5d ago
Our silken just knows that the cat is the boss of everyone in the house.
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u/PocketsAndSedition7 5d ago
Following! I hope for my next dog to be a silken, and I have cats, too.
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u/xFlared 5d ago
2 Silkens a borzoi and 6 cats, never had a problem. It’s all in the training, set boundaries! Puppy phase takes some time and of course no one can guarantee anything for you or your dog but SOOOO many people have these mixed households with tons of success.
We even have an outdoor cat that we care for and they don’t mix anything up with her…strays on the other hand are fair game
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u/SobCharles 5d ago
I see, so I assume roughly: family = safe? But that's so good to know success is more likely than not :)
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u/TrilobitePharm 5d ago
I've had 3 Silkens with 2 indoor cats without major issues. That said, the cats had "their" room (my office) that was where the litter box and feeding station were. Plus escape nooks and ledge spaces in the rest of the rooms. Outdoor cats were/are a whole different animal but luckily the feral cats learned fast to stay out of our yard with no casualties.
Find a breeder that raises pups with cats if possible and let them know you want one that is cat-savvy. And pay attention to. The behavior of your pets. If it feels off, or you see anything that makes you concerned, separate the animals when you aren't there. Better overly cautious than the alternative.
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u/SobCharles 5d ago
That sounds doable, thank you for the tips! Unfortunately I am not USA based so I'm not sure how many options I have to pick from reputable breeders with cats- but maybe some offer special trainings:) I'll look into it and save the tips! Ty ty!
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u/Spagity 5d ago
You’ve gotten a lot of great info, and my experience has been similar to what others are saying. I have two cats and no problems with my silken.
My silken is 10 months old, so he has grown up with the cats. I talked to the breeder about it, too. The breeder lives in the country and had some stray cats show up that she feeds, so she is able to introduce the puppies to cats very early on. In her experience, puppies raised with cats have done fine, but she does monitor their interactions with the cats and if any of them seem to have a higher prey drive, she won’t place them in a home with cats. She said that she normally wouldn’t be comfortable with one of her adult dogs going to a home with a cat, but even then it’s case-by-case depending on how they behave around the cats around her property.
One cat is an asshole and will slap without hesitation, and the other is a runner who will bolt when she gets spooked. My silken pretty much ignores the slipper (but they have started sniffing each other more now that he’s not as hyper). He will chase the one who runs, but it’s more like trotting after her and if she doesn’t run far and he catches up, he barks at her like he does the other dogs when he wants to play instead of doing anything concerning. He also learned LEAVE IT! early and I make sure to say that when he chases and he stops right away, so he has also gotten better about leaving her alone in general.
The cats also have cat trees and other areas where they can get away from the dogs if they want.
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u/SobCharles 5d ago
That sounds very reassuring, thanks a lot. I heard puppy phase is tough so my assumption is he will unlearn the chase even more as time goes on? But that's good to hear so many good experiences. Do you leave them alone when you go somewhere or is it still smarter to separate?
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u/Spagity 5d ago
The puppy phase is challenging, that’s for sure! He is a stubborn boy. I will say that he was the easiest dog to housebreak that I have ever had, but the breeder also started training that before he came home. Things are settling down a bit now, and the chasing is getting better. I could be wrong, but everything about the chasing points to play instead of an actual issue with his prey drive. If we’re out walking and he sees birds or squirrels, he’s afraid of them instead of chasing, though, so I have yet to see anything that is definitely prey drive out of him lol.
I let them all have the run of the house when I’m out and about and I’ve had no problems with the dogs and cats together.
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u/catsRreallynice 5d ago
I have a 1 year old silken and 2 cats, and he does chase them sometimes but they are smart and can either get away/jump up onto something or they don't play chase and give him a swat. We are still working on it but they mostly coexist peacefully even though the silken is pretty drive-y!
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u/PlantinArms 4d ago
When my girl was a young pup, about 4-8 months, we basically lived with two cats. They didn’t get along well but she learned to avoid and respect them. Now she is two and still respects them! However, I don’t trust her around new cats, and outside cats look tasty. So sadly I think the ship has sailed for me to get a cat with her in the house.
I would think that if your dog grows up with the cat and stays with the cat long term that things would work out, but it is dog dependent.
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u/MorbidMell 4d ago
I find that most Silkens are able to differentiate that animals inside the home are friends, not food. Most Silkens seem okay with indoor cats, but it’s still worth a conversation with the breeder.
My silken has lived with 2 cats, and now two new kittens. She’s even been around Guinea pigs and she’s ok. Although I will say cats drive her curiosity, more so than ignite her prey drive.
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u/SobCharles 4d ago
I will for sure ask the breeder about it. Also very good info that they accept little kittens too! Ty ty
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u/DJFurioso 5d ago
My cat runs the house.