Introducing New Kitten to Our Family Puppy

We just did this a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, now the whole family is battling ringworm now, so make certain the kitten is free of it!

Anyways, it sounds like you are doing good so far. We had crated our dog or had her in the bedroom the first two days, so the kitten didn't feel threatened. Then, we slowly exposed the kitten and dog to each other for short periods of time.

Of course, your puppy is more playful and will likely annoy the cat for a while, our dog is older and not jumping up on the cat. It will take some time, but they will get used to each other. Just trim the kitten's nails so she can't scratch. Our dog and kitten will even eat from the same bowl, though they are not playing with each other much.

I grew up with a dog and 3 cats and they played together, napped together, ate together. One of those cats hated my dog the first month, but they became best of friends.

Don't worry about it. Cats are very "pissy" and "prissy" creatures (I mean that in a loving way; we've owned cats for years), plus natural instinct is kicking in. Our cat was VERY unhappy when we got our dog last December. She still has absolutely no love for the dog, especially when the dog tries to play with her. But it has slowly gotten better. I don't ever expect them to be chums. But since both your animals are young, they will most likely warm up to each other over time. Just make sure you and your children don't get to close to kitty when she's hissing!

Your cat doesn't think she's a dog chew toy. She just isn't so sure what this crazy creature is. He doesn't smell, look, or sound like a cat so she's fearful. Just continue to let they be around each other. The kitten will crawl under things to get away from the puppy if needed. The less you do to step in the easier it'll be for them to figure out their relationship.

I've got 2 cats and 1 dog along with foster cats and come and go. I find that the less I do the easier it is for everyone to get along. One of my cats is an old guy who hates the dog but he's figured out how to make it work.

We literally went through this same dilemna a few weeks ago. In fact, I asked this same question on the boards.

What we did was left the kitten alone and let him get aquainted to the family pets on his own. He came out when he was ready. And when he did come out and the dogs became interested in him, he gradually let them get closer and closer each new day. Once he realized that they would not hurt him, he was much more comfortable.

The 1st few days, I did leave a litter box in my room (where he was hiding) for him yet showed him where the main one was located. I also put him in the main litterbox area every time he came out of hiding so that he would get used to it and knowing where it was. Once he was used to the dogs and his surroundings, I took away the box out of my room and just had the one main one.

I would say it took about a week for him to get accustomed to the house and the dogs. Now, he'll attack them, chase them, and even wrap his entire body around their tail biting it desperate for play.

Just be patient. Before you know it, they'll be best friends.