It can be challenging to bring a new kitten home and introduce it to several other pets who have been with you for a while. When the existing pet is a dog, the process has to be taken very slowly and carefully, as you do not want either pet to get into a situation where they may get hurt.
Before you even purchase a new kitten, do some research about your dog's breed. There are dog breeds that are by nature more tolerant of other animals like kittens. Now if the dog's breed is known for its unfriendliness to those it sees as different, then you may not want to own a kitten in that case. Also think back to a time when you may have owned some cats with the dog (or dogs) - if they got along fine before, chances are the same would apply with the kitten.
Let your dog or dogs sniff the kitten's crate, but keep it at a safe enough distance. Lavish some attention on your pet dog after doing this, while leaving the kitten in a safe place where it won't be bothered. This is an important part of the process, because when dogs get jealous - and they often do if they feel left out - their disposition can change dramatically for the worse.
Play with the kitten regularly, and allow your dog to sniff you as well as other things the kitten comes in contact with. You would then want to wait a few days before placing the kitten in another room while the dog sniffs around it - this helps it get more and more used to the scent.
You can let your dog enter a room with your kitten in it a few days later - make sure the kitten is in its crate. Most likely both animals may make noises of distrust, but as long as you keep them away from each other, all should be fine. Your kitten may feel a bit uneasy if this is done repeatedly, so do this exercise only as needed.
You would then formally introduce both animals by sitting with the dog while someone else brings the kitten inside the room. Make sure an adult is holding both the dog and the kitten and let the dog sniff the back of the kitten while you hold him by the collar. Remain seated next to your dog as your kitten freely wanders around the house for the first time in your dog's presence - this can prevent any untoward incident.
Eventually, once your kitten is used to the house and knows its way about, you will have to let them loose around each other. But if the dog still remains hostile despite all your efforts, you may be better off giving the kitten away or selling it to someone else.
Before you even purchase a new kitten, do some research about your dog's breed. There are dog breeds that are by nature more tolerant of other animals like kittens. Now if the dog's breed is known for its unfriendliness to those it sees as different, then you may not want to own a kitten in that case. Also think back to a time when you may have owned some cats with the dog (or dogs) - if they got along fine before, chances are the same would apply with the kitten.
Let your dog or dogs sniff the kitten's crate, but keep it at a safe enough distance. Lavish some attention on your pet dog after doing this, while leaving the kitten in a safe place where it won't be bothered. This is an important part of the process, because when dogs get jealous - and they often do if they feel left out - their disposition can change dramatically for the worse.
Play with the kitten regularly, and allow your dog to sniff you as well as other things the kitten comes in contact with. You would then want to wait a few days before placing the kitten in another room while the dog sniffs around it - this helps it get more and more used to the scent.
You can let your dog enter a room with your kitten in it a few days later - make sure the kitten is in its crate. Most likely both animals may make noises of distrust, but as long as you keep them away from each other, all should be fine. Your kitten may feel a bit uneasy if this is done repeatedly, so do this exercise only as needed.
You would then formally introduce both animals by sitting with the dog while someone else brings the kitten inside the room. Make sure an adult is holding both the dog and the kitten and let the dog sniff the back of the kitten while you hold him by the collar. Remain seated next to your dog as your kitten freely wanders around the house for the first time in your dog's presence - this can prevent any untoward incident.
Eventually, once your kitten is used to the house and knows its way about, you will have to let them loose around each other. But if the dog still remains hostile despite all your efforts, you may be better off giving the kitten away or selling it to someone else.
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