How do I get my two adult dogs to get along with my 4 month old kitten?
scroll57 asked:
We have a 21 month old and a 3 1/2 year old dog. We brought home a stray kitten that we think is about 4 months old. He is afraid of the dogs and the dogs are a bit aggressive towards him. The strange thing is that we already have a cat that is 1 1/2 years old. We’ve had him since he was a kitten and he and the dogs have always gotten along. We want to keep the kitten, but we’re not sure how to get the kitten and the dogs to get along. Any suggestions?
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We have a 21 month old and a 3 1/2 year old dog. We brought home a stray kitten that we think is about 4 months old. He is afraid of the dogs and the dogs are a bit aggressive towards him. The strange thing is that we already have a cat that is 1 1/2 years old. We’ve had him since he was a kitten and he and the dogs have always gotten along. We want to keep the kitten, but we’re not sure how to get the kitten and the dogs to get along. Any suggestions?
January 15th, 2009 at 1:42 am
I have 2 Dachshunds age 4 and 2. We brought home a new cat from the shelter, and we weren’t sure about the introduction either. We ended up letting the cat out into our livingroom and introducing the dogs one at a time. Your dogs are going to be protective of their turf, and will growl or carry on a bit. Just let them go. If it starts to get a little rough, then intervene. otherwise just let them work it out.
January 16th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
If you have the space, it might not be a bad idea to set the new kittenup in its own space. One room that the dogs can’t get into, complete with litterbox, food, water. Maybe a baby gate, so they could see each other, but the cat would feel safe because the dogs can’t get in. If they are small dogs, a chair on its side might be high enough. The kitten could feel safe because it would see that the dogs can’t get in, and could start to explore the rest of your home as it felt more secure.
This way, if it felt threatened, it could run back to its special safe place. They will get to know each other in time. They may not ever be best friends, but they would learn to tolerate each other. You will know when you can take down the barrier, because the kitten will be out laying on the living room floor with the dogs.
It is a very tense time for you, I know. It will get better.
January 19th, 2009 at 1:16 am
SUPERVISED time together with TONS of praise to the dogs. Dogs live to please their mamas & daddies (owners) so POUR it on thick, give treats even. Shower them with praise, love and treats and you can just about get them to paint the house for you. (=
January 20th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Keep your dogs outside the house.