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Both cats and dogs find kittens to be a pain in the butt. They have no "animal" manners, they bounce off the walls and they have too much energy for anyone.
Give your kitten a chance to grow up a little. Let the dog get to slowly see the kitten through a crate so he realizes this scent is part of his home.
When the cat is old enought to defend himself they will work out the picking order.
Animals are surprising in their political correctness. They will work it out if you let them.
Both cats and dogs find kittens to be a pain in the butt. They have no "animal" manners, they bounce off the walls and they have too much energy for anyone.
Give your kitten a chance to grow up a little. Let the dog get to slowly see the kitten through a crate so he realizes this scent is part of his home.
When the cat is old enought to defend himself they will work out the picking order.
Animals are surprising in their political correctness. They will work it out if you let them.
Don't declaw the kitten, it needs a mode of self defense if the dog gets too rough. It is amazing how much respect a 100lb dog will give an 8lb cat after it has a scratched up nose. It seems like an experience that never leaves most dogs, it seems to only take once unless you have a dog with a very high prey drive and a high pain tolerance. In that case though, you should never get a cat.
Yes, back it up and take it slow. I would have the dog and kitten taking turns in a crate with the other loose in the room. Do that for a whole week! Then introduce one to the other while one is being held.
Hold one while the other runs around loose. Hold the dog while you get the kitten to play and chase and have your partner love on the kitten. All desire to chase and get excited by the dog should be no, sit, no.
And......in all looks by the dog at the cat, sniffs, whatever, I would emphasize to the dog that the kitten is first/alpha/off limits.
Practice interactions should take place when the dog has been exercised and fed.
Roll the kitten up in some flour loaded with hot sauce and watch what happens when the dog gets a lick of him.
I have had two dogs, a Male German Shepard and a Female Lab who loved hot sauce. The both prefered Texas Pete followed by Tabasco...
When they would dig up field mice and bring them in the house, I would coat the mouse with sauce and put it back in the field. The Lab would find it, lick off the sauce and bring it back for a re-fill.
If you put some on your shoes to stop mild chewing, they would destroy the shoe...
I had these dogs at different times, so one did not teach the other...
Intros should go slow....Scent plays a big part of introductions. I usually towel down each animal and then exchange towels. Let the animals adjust to the scent before the actual meeting. If your dog is lunging, then by all means keep him leashed or kennel one or the other. I usually put the dog in a down stay and let the kitten sniff...be sure to keep full control and be aware the dog could lunge. Most dogs need to have their noses smacked a few times by the cats...
Who ever said dogs do not get along with cats has been watching too many cartoons I've never had a dog who did NOT get along with the cats.
I just introduced our Dylan (Golden) to a new kitten just about the time you started this post. They are best of buds and where you find one, you'll find the other. In fact, as I type the kitten is lying in Dylan's tail!
Someone forgot to tell these two dogs and cats do not get along!
I do have one dog that just loves cats....Unfortunately that because he thinks they make a wonderful snack. I believe he was breed to be what they call a "Hog Dog" in the South. When they figured out at 6 months old that he wasn't aggressive, whoever had him dumped him out in the country (where I found him, poor thing). He is a very good boy but still has very high prey drive that kicks in every now and then. I can usually shut him down with a "leave it" command. However, since I wouldn't be able to live with myself if he for once didn't listen, we will remain catless thoughout the remainder of his life.
There are two things you have to consider.
One is that the dog will only accept the cat if he thinks it's HIS cat.
The other is that the politics of the pack cannot be worked out until the kitten is old enough to give the dog a good scratch on the nose if he gets agressive. That is the start of respect.
Keep the kitten safe but let the dog interact with him everyday.
Don't use punishment or discipline. Just be very patient and let them work it out between themselves.
I think dogs and cats CAN get along but it depends on the dog's prey drive.
Growing up, we had 3 dogs (at different times) and one cat. The cat tolerated the dogs through out their lives. She would swat at a dog if it bothered her, but overall they got along.
People- here's a newsflash thats about 20,000 years in the making: Dogs do not like cats! Its axiomatic. Why the insistence on thinking every dog should tolerate one of the things?
I when young had an older cat, we did bring in a puppy a Geman Shepard.
The cat knew the house, looked the dog over, and did decide the boss will be me. Yes they never had a problem, she would go out, and the dog when older would mind her kittens. Later on, with 2 small dogs, I did bring home a 6 month old kitten, crated her, let dogs sniff, held her, then did keep them apart, for a few weeks. They all did get along well, even the bird, one dog
just did ignore the cat. Best keep them in a different place til they learn
to be together.
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I've never had a dog who did NOT get along with the cats.
