Introducing A Kitten To A Dog
Introduction
If you’ve got a resident dog at home, and you’re thinking of adding a kitten to the family, it might feel like things are about to get a little chaotic. Cats and dogs don’t always see eye-to-eye. In fact, some cats and dogs CAN’T even see eye-to-eye. So how do you make sure that everyone gets along? It all starts with proper introductions.
Make the room itself dog-proof
- Make sure that the room itself is dog-proof.
- Make sure that there are no dogs in the room, or make sure that they can’t get into the room.
- Ensure your dog has his own place to sleep so he doesn’t feel like he’s being kicked out of his own territory by a cat!
Start with a leash
Let’s start with the basics. If you have a dog, put them on a leash. This will allow the cat to be free to run around, but also gives you more control over your animal in case things get out of hand. Regardless of whether you have a kitten or an adult cat that already knows how to walk on a leash, it’s always best practice to keep them leashed while they’re first meeting each other. This can help establish boundaries and keep everyone safe during introductions.
Give the dog treats for good behavior
Once the cat has settled in, start giving your dog treats. It is important to give them to the dog when they are behaving well, so that they associate good behavior with rewards. For example, if the cat walks into a room and the dog goes and sits by itself in another room for 10 minutes without barking or running after it, you could reward this with a small treat.
Give kitty treats, too!
- Give kitty treats, too! The dog should know that it’s not all fun and games. If you give your cat a treat for being patient with the dog, he’ll learn that good things happen when he hangs out with your pup.
Increase exposure slowly over time.
This can be done by starting with the kitten in a room with the dog. The kitten should be in a room that is separate from the dog, but where you can easily check on them from time to time. You should also close any doors and windows between the rooms so as not to increase their exposure too quickly.
You will want to start off slowly and give both animals plenty of time for adjustment. Leave the cat alone with your dog for about 30 minutes at first, checking on them every few minutes to make sure they’re okay and not showing signs of stress (like excessive meowing). After this initial introduction period, gradually increase the amount of time you spend away from each other until they are together all day long (with regular breaks).
The key is to make sure that you’re taking things slow, and reinforcing every positive interaction.
If you’re introducing a kitten to a dog, do it slowly. The key is to make sure that you’re taking things slow, and reinforcing every positive interaction. If your dog has any aggression issues, they should be addressed before attempting this process.
If your dog is not aggressive but just not understanding of cats, keep in mind that they can take up to three months before they accept a new family member as “theirs”. However, if your dog is too possessive or territorial, you may need an additional barrier such as baby gates or crates in order for them to accept another animal into their space without feeling threatened (this can cause more issues than just the loss of personal space). The most important thing during this time is patience!
Conclusion
The goal is for your dog and cat to not only coexist peacefully, but also eventually become friends. By keeping the introductions slow and rewarding positive behavior, you can help that happen!