kitten and a 1 1/2 old dog.. (aggressive, cross, pup, food)
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I got a kitten the other day.. Now I think the kitten is scared of the dog (she's a staffy x) which you would expect, especially when bakes head is the whole size of the kitten. So as you can imagine im a little worried really.. Mainly because ive never had a dog and a kitten! The kitten we got generally stays out of her way but when baker gets within in 30cm of scampi (kitten) the kitten gets upset and hisses at her.. Which makes baker bark at him.. I know its only early days, but do you think this kitten and baker will get on?! At the mo, shes really intreeged by him.. Hense why she follows him, so will that stop?! I do trust baker, jus worried. Shes got a lovely nature, but i just need 2 look out 4 signs that she might wana hurt him?! Wot are the signs?! How can i get them to bond?! The only time they seem to bond is when food is involved.. Although when bakes is asleep, scampi will quite happily sleep next to her, will this improve?!
your last sentence says a LOT.... the fact that the kitty is willing to sleep next to bakes is an EXCELLENT sign.....
but do keep an eye on things for a while yet..... although bakes is not likely to be aggressive toward the kitty.... he (she?)could hurt the kitty without meaning to......
It's amazing they'll sleep next to each other so soon, so I'm sure they'll be fine, but don't leave them alone together for awhile yet. It's funny how often big dogs will be submissive to a little cat (especially after they've had their nose scratched once or twice) but you have to let the dog know VERY firmly that it can't show any aggression at all without getting in major trouble, even if the cat "started it". If the cat hisses, tell her no, and if she doesn't back down, carry her away until she calms down so the dog isn't pushed too far. I know this is a crazy time at your house but it will get better.
My two are still adjusting to each other (1.5 yo dog and older cat) but they seem to get along well enough. I have the same problem in that the dog is much bigger than the cat and tends to get a bit rowdy when playing. He also like to mouth the cat like if he were playing with another dog. He never means anything by it but it is scary to see. The cat doesn't seem to mind though and he is actually quite gentle about it. The cat gets tired of his pestering though and relocates to somewhere he can't get after a few minutes of it.
The sleeping thing is really a good sign. Mine are at the "yeah we can lay down on the floor in the same room as long as we can see each other" stage now, lol. Nowhere near sleeping next to each other.
I agree that sleeping together is a very good sign. I wish my cats would sleep with my dog. I don't think, though, that it's a good idea to try to pick up and carry a hissing cat. It's easier to control the dog. I have scratches on my arm to prove it! We have a 10 month old EB who still wants to play with the cats. The female swats him on the nose regularly. He ducks and flinches but it doesn't deter him too much when he wants to play. Last night he went after the female cat and swatted her with his big paw! I think he thinks he's a cat.
Mine does the investigative nose push. Part of it is to get a better sniff but the rest is to get the cat's attention... like he can miss a dog ten times his size with a head as big as he is, right?
Anyway, he will come up and sniff but the cat will be his usual aloof self so the dog will do a nudge then another. Of course as big as the dog is his nudges usually mean pushing the cat across the floor or lifting him into the air, lol.
i had charlie and max cats before i got bailey.... the kitties were about 8-9 months old when i brought 4 month old bailey into the house.....
there was the typical hiding under the bed from the curious and playful pup for a few days..... but it wasn't very long before max was out and doin' that loving kitty rub all over bailey's head and side..... it was actually kind of comical, because bailey did NOT know WHAT to think of this little fella rubbing his head all over her.......
we were on the front porch a little while ago and bailey was just lying there, watching the world go by and max walked over and plopped himself down in the space between her front legs and back legs with one of the most contented looks on his face i have seen in a long while........
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