Introducing Kittens To Dogs

It is important to socialize kittens with dogs at an early age.  Here are my recommendations for the process:

1)  Establish a safe room for the kitten(s).  Give them plenty of time to acclimate to their new environment before introducing them to a dog.  During the adjustment phase, spend extra time with the dog working on their obedience skills of sit, stay, down, come, relax and leave it.  Use a head collar to provide extra control.
2)  Allow the dog and kitten to experience each other's scent through towels and rugs.  After one days use, place the kitten's towel in the dog's bed and vice versa.  In my experience, the dog will spend much more time sniffing the towel and rolling on it than the kitten. 
3)  Feed the kitten on one side of the door while the dog has treats on the other side.  The idea is to teach the dog to associate the kitten with good things. 
4)  Allow the kitten to explore the house without the dog around and vice versa.  When both animals are comfortable with all of the above, it is time for a face to face introduction.
5)  Before the initial meeting, tire the dog and the kitten out with vigorous exercise.  For the first meeting, I let both animals view each other from a distance.  Place a head collar on the dog and place them on a down stay with a handler.  On the other side of the room, have another person hold the kitten in their lap.  Allow the animals to look at each other.  If both are calm and curious, move them closer together.  Stop immediately if either displays signs of stress. 
6)  When both are comfortable with visual contact, allow them to interact.  I usually place the dog on a down stay and let the kitten approach.  Keep firm control of the dog via the head collar and leash.  Reward the dog for calm behavior.  When the dog is bored with the whole process, it is time for the last step.
7)  Give the dog and kitten supervised access to each other.  Start out with short periods of time and stay close to prevent injuries.  Keep a blanket close at hand just in case you need to break-up a fight.  Do not allow the kitten to play rough with the dog.  Reward each for good behavior.  Gradually increase the time they are together.  Always make sure the kitten has an escape route if something goes wrong. 
8)  Some kittens will unmercifully pester their canine companions.  Be sure to give the dog breaks by returning the kitten to their safe room.  It is unfair to the dog to expect it to put up with a youngster who is constantly chewing on its ears or biting its legs.  

Although I have had great success using the above steps, their are some dogs and cats who will never live peacefully with each other.  So be careful when adding a new member to the family.  Remember, a dog that is great with cats might not tolerate a kitten because of their immature behavior.  Below I have included a video of my dog Buddy and the foster kittens.  As you will see, he finds four of them curious but a bit overwhelming.  Enjoy! 
   

 

What did you think of this article?




Trackbacks
  • No trackbacks exist for this entry.
Comments

  • 9/1/2009 4:00 AM MJ Kneiser wrote:
    HAHA...I love how they all decide to follow him down the hallway! "hey guys, it's mom! let's go!" So cute.
    Reply to this
  • 9/2/2009 3:56 PM v.t. wrote:
    Oh how sweet! More like Buddy is practically herding them, LOL.

    You didn't waste any time, did you! I love the article, very well-thought out and appropriate, I wish more owners would spend as much time and commitment toward slow and gentle intros, as opposed to simply forcing them and ending up with a disaster.
    Reply to this
  • 9/13/2009 6:43 AM tjc wrote:
    Myself and my son are fostering two kittens and we have a 10.5 female golden retriever...she is not used to kittens so this article was very helpful. Thank you.
    Reply to this
  • 9/13/2009 10:40 AM Lisa wrote:
    sophie wants more videos of buddy and a kitten but daddy and broo say no to the kitten
    Reply to this
  • 1/24/2010 6:52 PM ceekaay wrote:
    This is exactly the kind of article I was looking for! I found a kitten by the trash can just before thanksgiving so I brought him in the house with my papillon and mini dashchund - it did not go well. He terrorized them, the bites becoming more and more vicious, everyone chalking it up to 'kitten play' until they saw it in person. I feel like it was my fault because I didn't take the steps you've listed here to introduce them, I gave them a few days to sniff each other thru the door because that was the only advice I'd found. Maybe I did it all wrong, maybe he wasn't a 'dog' cat - I am not sure but I had to make the best decision for my family and let him go. He has since been rehomed to a fantastic family with an adult cat and 3 kids where he is thriving. I really loved having a kitten around and wanted to know the appropriate way to introduce them if I ever decide to bring another kitten in our home. I really appreciate this information and I am sure it will come in handy someday. thank you! i love the video of buddy and the kittens too.
    Reply to this
    1. 1/25/2010 8:03 AM Dr Kris Nelson wrote:
      Thanks for the kind words.  You sound like a caring person and I hope you try another cat when you are ready.  -Dr. Nelson
      Reply to this
Leave a comment

Submitted comments will be subject to moderation before being displayed.

 Enter the above security code (required)

 Name

 Email (will not be published)

 Website

Your comment is 0 characters limited to 3000 characters.