Dog Meet Kitty
Introducing a new kitten into a household that already has a dog is a delicate situation. Keep both of pets separated, with the kitten staying in its own room, at least for the first week or so. Then, just pick a time when your dog is either outside or in its crate, and let the kitten begin to explore the rest of your home. Once the kitten seems comfortable in your home, you can begin introducing your dog and the kitten. Keep your dog on a short leash, give the command to sit or lie down or stay and allow the kitten to come into the room. If your dog remains quiet and the kitten seems interested, let the kitten come over and investigate your dog. The main concern here is whether your dog might get aggressive, or if the kitten might get scared and claw at your dog’s face. Knowing some of your new kitten’s prior history can help you know just what to expect. Obviously, a kitten that has been chased by a dog in its prior home is less likely to be completely comfortable in a new home with a dog already living there.
Some dogs will be wonderful with kittens, while some dogs will view a new kitten as a threat. There are some dogs that instinctively see smaller animals as mere prey to be hunted. Watch your dog and kitten closely. Do not leave them alone unsupervised until you are certain that they will get along. Make sure that there are safe space in your home where the kitten can retreat from your dog. One solution that works well is a baby gate placed across the doorway of a particular room in your home. Also, be sure to set up the kitten’s litter boxes somewhere out of your dog’s reach. This has the twin aims of preventing your dog from eating the cat feces and litter, as well as inadvertently keeping a scared kitten from using its litter box.
Remember that kittens are truly creatures of habit. Your kitten will like everything to be as predictable as possible and for its routine to stay the same. You’ll be taking your kitten out of a familiar environment, into a noisy moving vehicle, and then expect it to adjust to new surroundings. To make the kitten’s transition as smooth and stress-free as possible, remember to take things slowly. Give your kitten plenty of time to get used to its new home.
