How do I help a four year old Australian Cattle dog and kitten get along?

Question

I brought the kitten home today and the cattle dog is trying to eat it.....really. The kitten is hissing at the dog. Now, we already have an older cat 15 year old Brittish Blue who's very mellow. She's hissed a little but isn't as aggressive as the dog. Can we make it work? HOW?

Answer 1

Show the dog equal attention and show the dog you care about the new kitten. Sounds like the other older cat will be fine with the new kitten. If the dog continues to be aggressive you may have to discipline him or keep them apart until the new kitten is old enough to take care of himself.

Answer 2

You want to get them used to each other from a distance. Keep a baby gate up, and put the dog on one side and the cat on the other (make sure the kitten doesn't climb it). For a few days, they should just get used to each other's presence. You can also "introduce" their scents by switching their bedding.

Then you will want to leash the dog and let them into the same room. Feel them out--don't let it become a stressful affair. Give both treats afterwards; that way they form the association, "other animal = treat." Repeat that until they are OK with each other, but don't leave them alone together until the cat is old enough to take care of itself--five months or so, a juvenile cat at least. It's not that they'll fight; but a boisterous dog can hurt a much smaller kitten just by trying to play.

Answer 3

OK I had this same problem and I almost took the cat back. But the vet told me to get a water bottle and when ever the cat or dag act aggressive, backs , hisses what ever you squirt them in the face with it. It does not hurt them and it works good. It took about 4 days for my cat and dog. After that they loved each other and they won't leave each others side. Cats and dogs are not supposed to get along but if you use this I promise it will work.

Answer 4

well it would have been best to show them to each other when they were young but I know a way.

what you do is to take the cat into a room with few distractions and call the dog in and every time the dog comes into the room, the dog and cat gets treats. Keep doing this and whenever they fight or try to kill each other, scold them and move the one who started the fight out and try the techniche lots of time and they will then soon know that whenever the other animal comes in, they help them get treats. But you can sometimes stroke and tickle them as you dont want them to get fat.

Answer 5

When I brought home my cat we put up a baby gate on the bedroom, and put the litter and cat food in that room, the dog would sit outside of the room looking in and the cat would look out. As the cat got more comfortable in her home, she would start to venture out of the room. Eventualy she would stick up for herself to the dog, if he didnt respond to her hissing at him, she would swat at him and put him in his place. It probably took close to a month, but they did it, not us, and I think that was important.The dog was around 5 and the cat around 1. Now they are the best of friends, and they are lonley if one is out for a while without the other, they even sleep together sometimes.

Answer 6

my dog and cat get along my dog is 2yrsold and my cat is 6monthes old and they fought to begin with but they are the best of friends they sleep eat together they did it on there own

Answer 7

any undesirable adventure with toddlers, this undesirable adventure might want to be imprinted in his ideas, thats is why he reacted this type. you want to enagage a dogs coach to assist him over come this behaviour as we won't be able to comprehend even as this would worsen. more effective perfect to be secure than sorry later.

Answer 8

Just give them time.