Introducing a dog to a new kitten

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T

trmiv

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
14,670
18
81
So my wife and I have been thinking a lot over the past few months of getting another dog or a kitten so our dog (4 year old Maltese/Shi-tzu mix) can have a playmate while we're at work. Well after much thought, we finally did it on Sunday and brought home a 10 week old male kitten.

We brought the dog with us to pick-up the kitten, and at the rescue place they did fine. The dog was very interested in the kitten, but didn't lunge or bite. The kitten was very indifferent to the dog and didn't seem scared in the least.

Then we brought them home. When we got them home, the dog was not happy to have the kitten in her house. The kitten is still pretty much indifferent to the dog, although he will run if the dog trys to get him. But he will immediately poke his head out and come back out of his hiding place the minute the dog turns around.

We got a high kitty condo that the dog cannot get up on, and the kitten will stay on top of it playing, and the dog will attempt to jump up a the kitten. All the while, the kitten pretty much ignores the dog. When we tried to go to sleep, we kept the kitten in his condo, and the dog on our bed. But, the dog would not leave the kitten alone.

So, when like 1:30am came around, we had enough. We put all kitten and his things in the bathroom, and kept the dog with us. He meowed for a bit, but then went to sleep. The dog sniffed at the door for a bit, and then settled down and went to sleep.

Today we left for work and the cat is locked in the bedroom/bathroom, and the dog has the run of the living room and balcony. I'm guessing they are sniffing each other through the door.

So, any tips on making this go better? Or are we doing it right? The dog has lived with other dogs in the past, but never a cat. She's been living with just us for the past two years though.

Cliffs:
1)Have a 4 year old dog
2)Got a new kitten
3)How can we make introducing them easier?
 
Z

Zee

Diamond Member
Nov 27, 1999
5,171
3
76
seems like jealousy. you just brought a cat over to the dog's domain. what is the dog trying to do that you separate them?
 
D

DaShen

Lifer
Dec 1, 2000
10,710
1
0
Jealous and territorial. Don't know what to do, some dogs are just too terrotorial for other pets. Some are better if it is another dog that will submit to the dominant dog, but a cat doesn't do that. <shrug>
 
T

trmiv

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
14,670
18
81
Originally posted by: Zee
seems like jealousy. you just brought a cat over to the dog's domain. what is the dog trying to do that you separate them?
Click to expand...

Yea, it's definitely that, she's been with just us for two years. She was just trying to go after the cat, chase it. Once she lunged at it, but the cat swatted her. The kitten is very brave and not scared of the dog in the least. Even when he hides when she trys to chase him, he will come right out and stare at her like "here I am, come get me!"

 
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loup garou

Lifer
Feb 17, 2000
35,132
1
81
Keep them separate when you are asleep or not around and slowly introduce them while you are around. It's annoying (especially with cats meowing and dogs barking), but it's the only way to do it. Expect a week or two of separation before they start getting along when you aren't around. Get a spray bottle of water to give either a squirt (followed with a loud NO) when they do something to each other they shouldn't.

And remember, some roughousing is to be expected. That's how animals play. Unplayful growling, hissing, and strikes from the cat with claws exposed will indicate when they're taking it too far.
 
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dawnbug

Golden Member
Oct 29, 2002
1,670
0
0
When my parents got a kitten, they introduced it to the dog in a small neutral area (it was in our bathroom). We let them smell each other for awhile, and the dog was really interested in the kitten, but not hostile. Is your dog acting hostile or is she just overly interested in the kitten?

It took a few weeks for my parents' dog and cat to get used to each other, but they're really friendly now. Our dog was only a year and a half or so when we got the kitten, though, so I'm not sure if your dog's age would be an issue.

I think I've heard about spraying a little bit of the same perfume on each animal, but that might be for two cats, I don't recall. But definitely give it some time.

Good luck.
 
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IndieSnob

Golden Member
Jul 7, 2001
1,340
0
0
Yes, don't overcook the kitten.

Instead of 25 minutes @ 450, do it for 20 minutes a 375. Then lightly glaze it with a nice lemon butter sauce
 
T

trmiv

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
14,670
18
81
Originally posted by: loup garou
Keep them separate when you are asleep or not around and slowly introduce them while you are around. It's annoying (especially with cats meowing and dogs barking), but it's the only way to do it. Expect a week or two of separation before they start getting along when you aren't around. Get a spray bottle of water to give either a squirt (followed with a loud NO) when they do something to each other they shouldn't.

And remember, some roughousing is to be expected. That's how animals play. Unplayful growling, hissing, and strikes from the cat with claws exposed will indicate when they're taking it too far.
Click to expand...

Those sound good, never used a spray bottle on the dog, but I'm sure it will work.

The times the cat has swatted at the dog so far it has been without claws, just a bat on the nose. Thanks.

Is your dog acting hostile or is she just overly interested in the kitten?
Click to expand...

I'd say overly interested with a slight bit of jealous hostility. I doubt she would actually do anything to the cat, but I haven't wanted to find out. I think if she did, she'd end up with a clawed nose more than she'd do anything with the cat. Didn't want to try on the first night though.
 
FallenHero

FallenHero

Diamond Member
Jan 2, 2006
5,659
0
0
Originally posted by: IndieSnob
Yes, don't overcook the kitten.

Instead of 25 minutes @ 450, do it for 20 minutes a 375. Then lightly glaze it with a nice lemon butter sauce
Click to expand...

:thumbsup:
 
F

FP

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2005
4,568
0
0
LadyBuggy is right. Keep the cat in a bathroom for a couple days. Let them smell each other through the door. Wipe the cat with a towel and then go rub it on the dog. This will transfer their scents to each other and eventually get them used to the other pet's scent. Do not just throw them in a room together. This can almost guarantee at most a tolerant relationship between the two. You should switch their positions a few times, ie let the cat roam the house without threat of the dog. Let the dog sleep in your room and keep the cat in the bathroom.

After a few weeks they will probably be tolerant of each other but there is no guarantee they will be friends. Does the kitten have its claws? If not then I wouldn't ever leave them alone together for very long. Our dog and cat get along just fine and even play together but I still fence off the house to give the cat a safe area when they are alone together. I have heard too many horror stories of seemingly friendly pets playing a bit too rough and hurting/killing the other.
 
D

DaShen

Lifer
Dec 1, 2000
10,710
1
0
Originally posted by: loup garou
Keep them separate when you are asleep or not around and slowly introduce them while you are around. It's annoying (especially with cats meowing and dogs barking), but it's the only way to do it. Expect a week or two of separation before they start getting along when you aren't around. Get a spray bottle of water to give either a squirt (followed with a loud NO) when they do something to each other they shouldn't.

And remember, some roughousing is to be expected. That's how animals play. Unplayful growling, hissing, and strikes from the cat with claws exposed will indicate when they're taking it too far.
Click to expand...

I have heard the smell of citrus does wonders. Dogs hate that smell.
 
P

Patt

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2000
5,288
2
81
Give it time ... they'll get used to one another eventually. My Rotty cross was a bit jealous of the cat at the beginning, but loves her now :)
 
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