Cat and Dog Advice

[One Day Soon]

We have a dog - a Romanian rescue that is now about 2.5 years old. Lovely temperament - just wants to love and be loved. Never bitten, nipped at or even aggressively growled at anyone.

Tomorrow we are getting a 3 month old kitten. Abandoned with its mother and rest of litter and has had little exposure to humans so not the friendliest just now. Not hostile, just not used to humans.

Can anyone give tips for introducing these two to each other, settling in the kitten and ensuring the dog doesn't have some kind of episode through jealousy or fear?

To put it in context, the dog goes nuts when she sees foxes, cats or squirrels in the garden,. She also goes nuts when she sees strangers near or approaching the house, barking her head off and growling. As soon as they enter the front door she's all over them wanting to be petted. World's best warning dog, world's worst guard dog.

Am I over thinking this?

[Hibrandenburg]

We have a dog - a Romanian rescue that is now about 2.5 years old. Lovely temperament - just wants to love and be loved. Never bitten, nipped at or even aggressively growled at anyone.

Tomorrow we are getting a 3 month old kitten. Abandoned with its mother and rest of litter and has had little exposure to humans so not the friendliest just now. Not hostile, just not used to humans.

Can anyone give tips for introducing these two to each other, settling in the kitten and ensuring the dog doesn't have some kind of episode through jealousy or fear?

To put it in context, the dog goes nuts when she sees foxes, cats or squirrels in the garden,. She also goes nuts when she sees strangers near or approaching the house, barking her head off and growling. As soon as they enter the front door she's all over them wanting to be petted. World's best warning dog, world's worst guard dog.

Am I over thinking this?

Get yourself a cat crate so that the dog and cat get the chance to acknowledge each other's presence without feeling the necessity to tear lumps out of each other. Try and bond with the cat in the dogs presence, it'll be jealous as **** to start with but once he realises that you the alpha have accepted the cat into the pack, then he'll also have to do so, probably grudgingly at first but it will get better. Feed them separately but at the same time if possible to avoid Fressneid (food envy). Just keep an eye on them and the chances are good that they'll end up as good buddies.

[One Day Soon]

Get yourself a cat crate so that the dog and cat get the chance to acknowledge each other's presence without feeling the necessity to tear lumps out of each other. Try and bond with the cat in the dogs presence, it'll be jealous as **** to start with but once he realises that you the alpha have accepted the cat into the pack, then he'll also have to do so, probably grudgingly at first but it will get better. Feed them separately but at the same time if possible to avoid Fressneid (food envy). Just keep an eye on them and the chances are good that they'll end up as good buddies.


That's all very helpful thanks advice apart from the fact that you've blotted your copybook by referring to me as 'you the alpha'. Clearly you've never encountered Mrs One Day Soon.

I wish I'd tackled Fressneid among the human members of our pack earlier too but that's another story...

TY

[Hibrandenburg]

That's all very helpful thanks advice apart from the fact that you've blotted your copybook by referring to me as 'you the alpha'. Clearly you've never encountered Mrs One Day Soon.

I wish I'd tackled Fressneid among the human members of our pack earlier too but that's another story...

TY

:faf:

[grunt]

Good luck with that. I can't imagine trying to bring a cat into the house with our dog. He'd probably eat it, I think.

[Moulin Yarns]

I was just thinking about the savings in dog food. 😉

[SChibs]

Good luck with that. I can't imagine trying to bring a cat into the house with our dog. He'd probably eat it, I think.

I'm the opposite a cat would never allow a dog in my house. I got her from a lady who had to rehome her as her 2 great Danes had permanently camped up the stairs in fear of Molly who stayed down stairs. She'd swipe them if they even dared to go near the ground floor. She's a bit more mellow if dogs come by the balcony these days but she'd go nuts if one was in the house

[stu in nottingham]

I'm the opposite a cat would never allow a dog in my house. I got her from a lady who had to rehome her as her 2 great Danes had permanently camped up the stairs in fear of Molly who stayed down stairs. She'd swipe them if they even dared to go near the ground floor. She's a bit more mellow if dogs come by the balcony these days but she'd go nuts if one was in the house

The same here. It's a good point to say that different breeds of cat behave very differently regarding their territory. I have a Bengal cat, which a few generations ago were bred as a hybrid of Asian Leopard Cats (genuine wildcats) and domestic cats. He is fantastic, affectionate and aproachable by people but is incredibly territoral where other animals are concerned and has nil tolerence for them. The thought of a dog 'eating' him quite makes me laugh! :tee hee: The last dog that came into 'his' garden - twice his size - he launched himself at and went straight for the dog's throat. The dog was chased off whimpering.. No sign since.

[Moulin Yarns]

The same here. It's a good point to say that different breeds of cat behave very differently regarding their territory. I have a Bengal cat, which a few generations ago were bred as a hybrid of Asian Leopard Cats (genuine wildcats) and domestic cats. He is fantastic, affectionate and aproachable by people but is incredibly territoral where other animals are concerned and has nil tolerence for them. The thought of a dog 'eating' him quite makes me laugh! :tee hee: The last dog that came into 'his' garden - twice his size - he launched himself at and went straight for the dog's throat. The dog was chased off whimpering.. No sign since.

Oh, bengal cats!! I live in a small hamlet and there are 2 bengals that have appeared recently. Beautiful cats but I don't know who they belong to.

[stu in nottingham]

Oh, bengal cats!! I live in a small hamlet and there are 2 bengals that have appeared recently. Beautiful cats but I don't know who they belong to.

I hope you get to know them. :thumbsup:


Bengals are a bit special I think, pretty unique. I was really fortunate in adopting mine from neighbours who were moving on. There's a lot written about them and they are fascinating. Not the pet for someone who wants a quiet life, they are VERY vocal and do demand a lot of attention - on their terms. My lad can open doors and cupboards, even switch lights on. Said to be the most dog-like cats, you can even train them to play fetch!

Unusually, they like water and also to get up high. Mine will also wait for me at the end of the road when I'm coming home, hiding under a car from which he runs out as soon as he spots me. Nice welcome home.

[Moulin Yarns]

I hope you get to know them. :thumbsup:


Bengals are a bit special I think, pretty unique. I was really fortunate in adopting mine from neighbours who were moving on. There's a lot written about them and they are fascinating. Not the pet for someone who wants a quiet life, they are VERY vocal and do demand a lot of attention - on their terms. My lad can open doors and cupboards, even switch lights on. Said to be the most dog-like cats, you can even train them to play fetch!

Unusually, they like water and also to get up high. Mine will also wait for me at the end of the road when I'm coming home, hiding under a car from which he runs out as soon as he spots me. Nice welcome home.

Yep, I read a bit about them, they seem to be very intelligent, but can get bored easily. I've heard the things about lights and when bored do it constantly.

[Pretty Boy]

I'm the opposite a cat would never allow a dog in my house. I got her from a lady who had to rehome her as her 2 great Danes had permanently camped up the stairs in fear of Molly who stayed down stairs. She'd swipe them if they even dared to go near the ground floor. She's a bit more mellow if dogs come by the balcony these days but she'd go nuts if one was in the house

My cat is the same. Really territorial.

He gets outside and it's quite funny watching him doing the same rounds every day marking out his territory. He's had a couple of injuries fighting to protect it.

A few weeks ago a staffie cross had a go at him. Cat was having none of it, the tail got puffed up, he stood his ground and when the dog had a 2nd go he got a scratch across his nose and a fair bit of blood drawn for his troubles. He didn't come back for a 3rd attempt.

I know a few people who have dogs and cats. Gentle introduction and a safe space for each as they require it seems to be the way they all make it work.

[Hibrandenburg]

We have a dog - a Romanian rescue that is now about 2.5 years old. Lovely temperament - just wants to love and be loved. Never bitten, nipped at or even aggressively growled at anyone.

Tomorrow we are getting a 3 month old kitten. Abandoned with its mother and rest of litter and has had little exposure to humans so not the friendliest just now. Not hostile, just not used to humans.

Can anyone give tips for introducing these two to each other, settling in the kitten and ensuring the dog doesn't have some kind of episode through jealousy or fear?

To put it in context, the dog goes nuts when she sees foxes, cats or squirrels in the garden,. She also goes nuts when she sees strangers near or approaching the house, barking her head off and growling. As soon as they enter the front door she's all over them wanting to be petted. World's best warning dog, world's worst guard dog.

Am I over thinking this?

How are the happy couple getting along?

[One Day Soon]

How are the happy couple getting along?

Only two direct introductions so far to try to ensure neither gets overly spooked.

First one saw dog being curious and sniffing and looking at kitten from about six feet initially and then slowly up to about two feet at which point the hard as **** tiny Geordie kitten decided to express itself with a pretty convincing hiss and spit. Dog backed off clearly thinking 'WTF is that and I'm not going anywhere near it' which has been her position since. Litter tray? Wide berth. Cat food? Wide berth. Anything to do with cat? Wide berth.

I think we'll be fine. The kitten is tiny though and was infested with fleas. We combed and killed somewhere between thirty and forty when we got her home. Treated with Advantage and next day only found two - both dead. Then spent weekend hot washing everything in sight just in case plus floor and furniture spraying with anti flea spray.

17 year old surly Goth daughter has lost her mind over kitten and is now openly communicating with us in a happy and friendly manner. She started at Edinburgh University this week so it might be that - but I think it's the kitten. Either way, her being a normal human being with us is pretty unsettling.

[Hibrandenburg]

Only two direct introductions so far to try to ensure neither gets overly spooked.

First one saw dog being curious and sniffing and looking at kitten from about six feet initially and then slowly up to about two feet at which point the hard as **** tiny Geordie kitten decided to express itself with a pretty convincing hiss and spit. Dog backed off clearly thinking 'WTF is that and I'm not going anywhere near it' which has been her position since. Litter tray? Wide berth. Cat food? Wide berth. Anything to do with cat? Wide berth.

I think we'll be fine. The kitten is tiny though and was infested with fleas. We combed and killed somewhere between thirty and forty when we got her home. Treated with Advantage and next day only found two - both dead. Then spent weekend hot washing everything in sight just in case plus floor and furniture spraying with anti flea spray.

17 year old surly Goth daughter has lost her mind over kitten and is now openly communicating with us in a happy and friendly manner. She started at Edinburgh University this week so it might be that - but I think it's the kitten. Either way, her being a normal human being with us is pretty unsettling.

:greengrin Sounds like great progress on all fronts. Thanks for the detailed update.

[He's here!]

Only two direct introductions so far to try to ensure neither gets overly spooked.

First one saw dog being curious and sniffing and looking at kitten from about six feet initially and then slowly up to about two feet at which point the hard as **** tiny Geordie kitten decided to express itself with a pretty convincing hiss and spit. Dog backed off clearly thinking 'WTF is that and I'm not going anywhere near it' which has been her position since. Litter tray? Wide berth. Cat food? Wide berth. Anything to do with cat? Wide berth.

I think we'll be fine. The kitten is tiny though and was infested with fleas. We combed and killed somewhere between thirty and forty when we got her home. Treated with Advantage and next day only found two - both dead. Then spent weekend hot washing everything in sight just in case plus floor and furniture spraying with anti flea spray.

17 year old surly Goth daughter has lost her mind over kitten and is now openly communicating with us in a happy and friendly manner. She started at Edinburgh University this week so it might be that - but I think it's the kitten. Either way, her being a normal human being with us is pretty unsettling.

Relieved to hear things are working OK so far. I'd have been worried about that situation too bearing in mind our dog's attitude to cats/squirrels he spots on walks. I'm not a cat fan, but in my experience of friends who have both cats and dogs, it seems a bit easier to introduce a dog to household with a cat than the other way round (not because the cat is welcoming to the dog, but because it allows the cat to maintain a sense of being the top animal and treat the dog with disdain).

Well done getting the cat to stay still long enough for the de-fleaing!