I just got a 4 wk old kitten & i feel like my 11 yr old, dog is sad & not excepting!what should i do?

Question

Mydog is a lab and shes very friendly but also skiddish. I feel like she is very jealous or something of the kitten or maybe just doesn't want it in her house. she looks sad when we are around the kitten, especially when we are feeding him. she doesn't understand why she isn't getting any attention. if you have any suggestions on what i should do let me know! thanks so much

Answer 1

First off you should take the kitten back to mom and littermates for another 4 weeks. It is way too young to be away from them. Also in most states it is illeagl to buy, sell, adopt or give away a kitten that hasn't completed it's 7th week and in some states 8 weeks.

Secondly when you bring the kitten back to the household at the proper age allow time for your dog to adjust to the kitten and the kitten to the dog. Make sure to give both plenty of attention. They will both adjust in time if given the chance.

Answer 2

4 weeks old is too young for a kitten to be away from it's mother, so I'm assuming that it was a rescue who didn't have a mother and therefore you're having to pay all that extra attention to it.
It's understandable for the dog to be a little jealous. Especially if he's been an only child for 11 years.

What I would do is when you're engaging with the kitten petting it or playing, I would pet the dog at the same time. This way the dog feels like a part of things with the kitten and not left out.

Good luck, and I hope that poor little kitty is doing ok being weaned so early :(.

Answer 3

First, I think this kitten too young to be weaned much less away from its mother and siblings. I would take a towel, rub it on the Lab and rub the kitten with it so it takes on a bit of the Lab's smell. It won't take long for the Lab to love the kitten, my concern is with its size, the Lab could hurt the kitten without meaning to. I had this experience with my Golden and some kittens we had from breeding our female. We were playing with the kittens when one took a run and jumped in the Golden's face when she was sound asleep and the Golden snapped at it and broke the kitten's back. Needless to say, we had to have the kitten put down. She never showed any aggression towards any of the kittens, just that she was startled. Very sad and I'd hate for this to happen to any animal. Please make sure they are supervised until the kitten is several months old.

When feeding the kitten, you can have it in your lap and have vegetables or small pieces of dog biscuit to give to the Lab at the same time. She won't feel so left out but you don't want her getting a lot of extra goodies so tiny pieces will make her just as happy. You are probably feeding the kitten 4 times a day. You can mix baby rice pablum in the milk and increase the pablum to thicker consistency so they are eating rather than drinking by 8 weeks. When you start on dry food, make sure there's plenty of water. Good luck,

Answer 4

I know what you mean, I have a 12 yr. old dog and a 1 yr. old cat and just got a kitten they are both jealous, so I try to give the older ones attention before the kitten, and try to make it equal so far it is working...My dog actually protects the kitten, they sleep next to each other at times. My older cat is starting to come around too, he gives the kitten a bath now and then.

Answer 5

Your dog may feel she is being replaced. Trying petting on her while you have the kitten on your lap and reassure her that she is still very much loved and a part of the family. Be patient with her and it will also let your kitten know she doesn't get to have all of your attention. Just like children, you have to teach them not to be spoiled or jealous. You can even give them little treats together. Patience is the key.

Answer 6

Talk to your lab and let her know that you still love her. Pet them both at the same time and tell her that the kitten is her friend to. Give her a treat after the kitten is fed. Maybe the kitten would do better in a bed of its own.

Answer 7

Your dog is use to being # 1 keep telling her how much you love her and tell her this is her baby and she has to help take care of her. Also when you feed the cat give your dog a little treat she will then associate this time as a good time. Do things with just your dog and tell her see this is our time make her feel special and give them both love and attention at the same time too.

Answer 8

You dog feels abandoned. She feels that she has given you her life, trusted you with her heart and you have left her for something else. Of course she's sad. Pay way more attention to her than the kitten at least two to one ratio, if she feels that you love her she will eventually accept the cat.
But give her a lot of love, after all she lives and breathes for you.

Answer 9

I had to call the kitten my dogs's "toddler". She looked much less jealous if I made a brilliant deal of the kitten being "Libby's toddler". I in no way overlooked the dogs, yet tried to contain her with the stuff the kitten grew to become into doing. i will throw a ball for the dogs at a similar time as twiddling with the kitten. whilst Kitty grew to become into ingesting the dogs have been given a milkbone manage, and so on.

Answer 10

Maybe you can play with both of them but on a Diff. Schedule like 1 day play with just the dog and the other day only play with the cat!!!! Or u could pet the dog and cat at the same time!!!!!