Hi,

Just wondering if anyone has any practical advice for introducing kittens to a young dog?  Our female DdB girl is 10 months old and at the weekend we brought home 2 young kittens...until last evening they have been kept totally seperate (introducing kittens to the house slowly, etc). last evening my husband brought Ruby (DdB) into the sitting room onlead while the kittens were in the room...she sniffed one, and her appearance was similiar to that when she is offered a new toy or treat...ears far forward, body tense. no growls or anything. the kitten scampered away and Ruby lunged for it.  when Ruby was returned to her crate she immediately began whining and howling, etc, and is acting quite frantic in general now.  i have not put them together again as i want to make sure this can be done safely and sucessfully...any ideas, please?

thank you!
jenn

Hi,

Ive got lots of experience in this department lol. My eldest dog has been introduced to 5 cats in the past 6yrs and my youngest dog (2) had his first experience 10 months ago when we adopted two kittens.

It sounds like you have the right idea.. Ive tried various methods but have found that both parties (dog & cat) get over excited/boisterous when its something new, seperating them only prolongs this.

Because animals are very teritorial through scent ive found the best way to be mixing their smells.

You are probably keeping your kittens seperate for a few nights anyway whilst they get used to the new home and you so during this time put an old towel on their sleeping spot or rub them with it a few times to get their scent on it. Get another towel and place it in the dogs bed. After they are both scented swap them over.

This means that when you introduce them the next day they are already familiar with each others smell so are less likley to be aggressive.

As dogs are bigger ive always found it easier to put the dogs on a short lead like you did then let the cats in the room. Try and reassure the dog, and just ignore the kittens, you dont want the dog to think he is being replaced.

If the kittens come up to the dog make sure you are aware of how your dog is reacting, you may find that your dog is actually calmer off the lead, try holding on to her collar while she meets them. I know my eldest was excited on the lead but when left to his own thing he went all stiff and didnt want to move lol. Cats are clever anyway and wont stay in a situation they dont like for too long and if the dog is a little over excited and knocks them a kitten swipe across the nose will put her back in her place!

Short introductions like this should help them get to know one another and in a week or so i would hope you will feel confident allowing them time together without having to watch them all the time.

Their relationship depends on their personalities, in my case the older dog couldnt care less and just ignores them, i can almost hear him say 'not another cat!' my younger dog on the other hand is best friends with the kittens, they sleep and play together, they love to wash him and he is more than happy to let them climb all over him. I couldnt have asked for more.

Good luck with your introduction and keep us upto date on progress.

Rox

Hi Rox,
Thanks for the great idea! i have taken the kitty blanket and put it in Rubys crate, and a towel from her crate will go in the bedroom where the kitties are.  i am worried that ruby will think she is being replaced, so i do need to be more aware of "ignoring" the cats when the dog is in the room, etc.  i know that jealousy can be a big problem, esp. if the dog thinks its "resources" are being threatened or taken away (me, the resource = can opener and petting machine, LOL!)

i will keep you posted!
kind regards,
jenn

I am in the same boat as you.  If you read my posts on Fighting over Toys, you will see that I am trying to acclimatise our new boy Pip (Rescue dog) to our two new cats.  Our two tabby girls are also from the Rescue (what a sucker I am!!) so are quite nervous.  Our Westie Lucy is fine with the cats but although after nearly a month Pip (we have only had him since 27 December) is better than he was he will still chase them if he gets the chance!  However, after the cats have been residing separately in a bedroom for ages we have decided that they will all have to get used to each other and all live together.

We did try putting Pip in a crate but he got terribly wound up so we gave up on that one.  Despite the fact that they often swipe him with a paw and spit, he still tries to chase them!

Every night I get the cats downstairs and have them on my lap so that the dog is gradually getting used to them.  I don't think there is any magic formula, just time and patience.

I think also that you will find it easier with kittens who have no reason to fear dogs.  Because my little cats are a bit nervous and run away, that makes the naughty dog think it is a game!

Good luck

Leonora

hi Leonora,

yes, i think you're right...there's no magic formula (unfortunately! LOL)
the kittens are from a home that had dogs, but the dogs they are used to were little ones, whereas my Ruby is a big girl!  but ithink you are right, as long as i can keep it so they don't get too afraid, it should make it smoother.  your rescue kitties no doubt will take a bit of time and patience, but i'm sure they will come around :-)
like you said, i certainly don't want to keep them seperate for long...they will have to learn to get on with each other...i'll just need patience, patience, patience!

good luck to you, too!
jenn

Hi, prob a silly idea but have u got a child gate?

Means they can see each other when ur not there and gives the kittens a chance to escape under it if they want a bit of space.

hi Julie,
not a silly idea at all :o
i do have one at the bottom of the stairs, but i think i'll get another one to put maybe at the kitchen doorway so Ruby (dog) can be a bit more "contained" for now - the crate is driving her crazy when the kittens are down, so maybe this will help!

cheers,
jenn

Hows it going now?

My cat Monkey took to our dog fairly fast but with Maddie (other cat) took about a month for them to bond.

Hope you're all ok and having fun!

well, we're still doing short "visits" on-lead...ruby is VERY interested in the kittens, last night she got a bit too close to one and he slapped her across the face...she was shocked!! she steered clear of him for the rest of the time they were in the room together - i think she needs to learn they won't be messed with and we'll be ok!  we'll keep taking it slow....fingers crossed!!

cheers!