Helping Transition Two New Kittens to Meet the Family Dog

I'm not an expert with this but based off history and the many animals we have had over the years, I would say to just let nature take its course. Don't treat it like any "big deal". If they kittens run and hide, that's okay. Thats there built in guard. The point is that they are still getting the smell of the dog and as time goes by and they see that he isn't out to hurt them, they might warm up or not. It's not really in the cards for dogs and cats to be friends. Often times though, like the case of my sisters home, they become the best of friends. So, my overall advise, ride this out an wait for the outcome. Introduce them but let them do their own thing. You and your husband can be cautious but don't over bear it. You want to be careful to not send the wrong signal to the dog that was already part of your family.

Hi D., (*welcome*)

Before a couple years ago, I never had a cat, only dogs. At my work, a "stray" adopted me, and he was so sweet, I couldn't stand to take him to the SPCA, so after my husband agreed, we brought him home.

Long story short: the little guy had his claws, and both my dogs are pretty gentle (lab-mutts), so I kind of just cut them loose together. I figured keeping them separated would increase all animal-anxiety in the house, and there'd be a big fight (or worse).

Don't get me wrong, I "supervised" the whole thing, and after 20 minutes, I separated them until the next day for another "session." I worked great!

The dogs were curious, but one "hit" from those claws was enough to keep them from over-doing it (he-he). Within a month, the younger dog was playing with the cat.

Good luck!
T

When I had to do the same thing I found the best thing to do is just let it be, I had a dog that i knew would do nothing and with kittens that young the treat level is low. The one thing i was told not to do was hold the kitten up to the dog, just let them all live together and before you know it they wil great friends.

I've grown up with cats and dogs all my life. Now that you've let them meet each other, let the kittens roam the house - they will naturally want to hide but will come out when they are comfortable (can take a couple hours or a couple days depending on their personality). If you know the dog won't hurt the kittens then there shouldn't be an issue becasue if the kittens do swipe at your dog, it will learn to stay away from them =)

being a cat lover myself, and having 3 of our own...here's my advice...for what its worth :) cats are curious by nature. so let them loose w/ the dog, they may hide for a bit but will eventually come out to find out who this other 4 legged friend is all about. eventually you'll notice the kittens will grow found of their adopted brother/sister and will follow him around like they would if he were their mom. within a few weeks it will be like they were always together. we go thru this everytime we adopt a new kitten. at first the older ones hiss and get mad but eventually they get used to each other and now their unseparable.
just make sure to be in the room as they first start to explore one another just in case. one of the three will have to take on the dominate lead, so don't be surprised if one becomes like the "bully". you may be surprised, it might not be the dog!!!

well My parents had a cat to start off with and then got a dog they dont mind each other they leave each other alone.Part of it is you got really young kittens so they might be scared from the get go.Good Luck. I would look up how to introduce kittens to a dog.

Okay, so I don't have any cats. We have one dog. However, during a vacation to an Aunts house this past spring we observed them introducing a kitten into their household with one dog. She told me that the dog needs to smell the bottom area in order to "meet" this new addition. Of course, cats typically are running away and are not allowing this meeting. So, she held the cat still- holding up its tail and let the dog get his sniffing in. After this intro the dog was no longer as interested in the cat and let them be thus allowing the cat to relax.

Hi D.!
I actually foster for Halo Rescue, and have new kittens of weeks to months old in my home at any one given time. I have also got 4 fairly large dogs to boot...I allow the kittens to meet the dogs and other 8 adult cats I have on their own. Pretty soon they are all zipping around the house together and NO ISSUES...the animals feel our energy, even when you think you are calm they feel the real energy. If you want a real look see at how I do it I welcome you to come on over. If you will give me an address to e-mail you at I will be happy to send you some really cute pictures of my foster babies. C. Condit
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Here is something to try to introduce them, let them get to know each other through a door. Somewhere, where the kittens feel safe.Then do small amount of time together, then back to the safe room, but you will eventually be able to leave them longer and longer together. Also, I would suggest giving the kittens something of your dogs, with the dogs scent on it and also something with the kittens scent, so they get firmliar that way too. It will just take sometime but the kittnes should adjust to the dog.. They are small right now and in a new place so they need a little time. Hope this helps...

E.

I have 3 dogs and 4 cats.. I am also a Veterinarian Tech. And I am use to the cat/dog battle... Also a mother of a 15 month old..She loves them all..

We still had a child's safety gate up and used that so that the kitten could have a safe place on the other side of the gate from the dog. The kitten couldn't stand being away from the family so she would sneak under the gate even if the dog was sleeping right there. Was right out of a cartoon. Eventually the kitten figured out the dog wasn't going to eat her and now the 2 are best buds. We went thru the hissing too. The kittens might hide, but their curiousity will get the better of them. Sounds like the dog will be fine.

As a proud parent of 3 cats and 2 dogs, I agree with Tania. Just let them go. You would know right away if the dog was going to be agressive, and he is not. very good sign. the kittens have to set thier boundries, but it will just take once for the dog to find them. Watch the whole thing, but just watch. they will work it out. the kittens may hide, but I would suggest that you not let them out for more than 15 min or so until they use the litter box consistantly. It does not take long, and they will work out any problems. Also, try calling petsmart or petco and see what they recommend. Congrats on your 4 footed babies... they are wonderful additions.

One tip about kids and kittens. Tell your kids (I dont know how old they are), to allow the kittens to approach them, not the otherway around. If the kittens approach them to be picked up or to play, they tend to be much more friendly and loving in the long run. also, saves kids from reminder scratches from kitty. Yes, it starts them on the ruling the house attitude, but take it from a cat owned person - it is a good life :)

I would definitely say them them free and all will get adjusted and everyone will find their boundaries. It usually takes about a week or two and then they'll be friends. If the cats are very scared, maybe let them play with your dog's wagging tail (may want to trim nails first), or let them sniff somewhere that's not the dog's face so they get more used to him. slowly but surely it will work out. And 8 week old kittens will adjust to just about anything, they just have to be urged. :o) It's the same as when I had one cat and added another. I went through the initial worry about them never getting along because they are afraid of each other and then one week passes and they are best of friends. Let them work it out on their own.

I worked for 3yrs. at an animal shelter. It takes time but they will all get along. Since the kitty's are so small be sure that you always supervise. No matter how calm a dog is their first instinct when a kitty runs is to chase it. The kitty's will hiss less and less at the dog. Make sure they have a place to hide (safely) from everyone,they are babies and need "time outs", and eventually they will get so curious they will venture out on their own. At one time I had 3 dogs and 4 cats and the cats learned not to run from the dogs,(they would just lay down and not move, the dogs finally gave up and left them alone). We even had our cats eating out of the same bowl as our BIG Gorden Setter,(standing right between his front legs). Go slow and all will work out, eventually the kitty's will even play with the dog! GOOD LUCK

It will depend on the kittens and the dog. It may take a while for them to get used to each other. Keep putting them around each other and I am sure soon enough they will get used to each other once the kittens know the dog isn't going to hurt them. It may just be intimidating because the dog is so much bigger then they are and they aren't used to that yet. But do a ritual of introducing them each night for a while and they will get used to each other eventually.

I am a cat lover and told my husband when we married, that he had kids, I have a cat... she goes, they go (not really) however it did communitcate to him my love for Sami. Together we have 2 dogs and 2 cats, the older of the 2 cats has tollerated the addition of one dog, then 5 yrs later the addition of another. After we added the dog, we added the 2nd cat, she was a kitten when we got her and the dog was curious but not aggressive. She did hiss and claw and try to get away, however we just let them sniff each other and the cats will naturally and instinctively "puff up" and will try to hide. We just let them figure it out on their own... the cats and dogs roam the house as they please and the cats are amazingly able to "hide" from the dogs. Now that we have the 2nd dog, the kitten-now-cat tolerates the puppies antics. The older of the 2 cats (not raised with a dog, yet lives with 2)tolerates them as well.
My advice is to monitor your dog (as to prevent any tragedy) and let the kittens be kittens and play with each other and the dog. If your dog becomes aggressive or wants to eat them, I'd keep them separated, but cats have claws for a reason, and it only take a time or two with a bloody nose for a dog to get it (they are pretty smart too!)
Good luck and relax... it's only chaotic for a little while!
C.