Dogs & Cats

[Mike_SK]

At Christmas I will be getting my dog, Maddie, back. My sister and I adopted her while I was in university in another city. I've purchased a house and she is joining the military so it works out that I will have her back. She is a Great Dane/Rotti looking thing. My parents live about 20 minutes out of town and my mom plans on taking her out to their place quite often (actually wants to keep her altogether) so I have support with her.

However, due to lack of willpower and an abundance of felines at the local humane society I picked up a four month old kitten. Maddie gets along with my 13 year old cat at my parents home and I don't think there will be an issue with the new kitten at my house, but I was wondering if there are any words of caution I should hear.

The house I live in is fairly small -- 600 sq ft or so on the main level (the stairs are too steep for the dog to get up but the cat can go up there) and there's a basement where the dog can go. Also, there is a large fenced back yard and plenty of parks around here.

I do work the odd 9 hour day and mostly 8 hour days (sometimes come home for lunch). Is there anything to worry about with these two animals in the same house? I assume I'm being anal and overly cautious but don't want my dog hurting my cat (or vice versa) since we all know the stereotype of cats and dogs.

Just looking for words of wisdom here.

Thanks!

 

[Maxy24]

It really all depends on the dog. Don't just put them down together but instead keep the kitten in a room and do multiple intro's a day, switch scents using a towel (so the get used to each other's smell) and letting them sniff under the door. Put one in a crate (if the dog is crate trained do him) and let them see each other. Just see how the dog reacts. If the dog knows the down command then bring him into the kitten's room, close the door and have him do a down, you stay by his face in case he decides to turn his head at the cat. Keep his focus on you using treats the cats tend not to like when the dog moves

Once you come to the conclusion that the dog is fine with the cat you can let him up but keep a leash on him and let him meet kitty face to face. Watch them both for signs of aggression and pull the dog back before anyone expresses their feelings. Let them calm down and meet again. At first until they are all calm with each other keep sessions short. Eventually you can let them have the full house together but for a couple of months I would separate while you are not home or are asleep.

Good Luck!!

 

[Mike_SK]

Thank you, thats the info I was looking for. I don't forsee any problems but would like to do the introduction properly.