I currently have two dogs - is it possible to successfully introduce kittens or is that just cruel ?

Answer 1

If you do it slowly it should be fine. I have three dogs of all different sizes, and they took really well to our new kitten, because we brought him in slowly. We didn't leave them all alone together for a while, but now the kitten is 8 months old, and they all stay together all the time. It will take a lot of time and attention to make sure that your new kitten doesn't get hurt.

Answer 2

First read up on the breed of your dogs- there are some that will hunt and kill any other small animal. If it says your dog gets a long with other animals then introduce them slowly- make sure the kittens are old enough to get away and put a baby gate in the doorway to a room- up off the floor a few inches to allow the kittens a way to get in another room if they need to get away. Do not leave them alone at all with the dogs for the first two or three weeks. I am sure they will adjust and be fine. Give your dogs lots of attention so they don't feel left out.

Answer 3

If the kittens are born at your house the dogs will actually try and mother them by licking thier bottoms. If you are planning on bringing a kitten into your home you need to get the kitten used to the dogs so it wont get all fluffed up and hiss at them because that will set them off as if the kitten were a new play toy. I would wrap the kitten up in a towel so you wont get scratched if the kitten tries to go nuts and just sit there holding the kitten and let the dogs smell it . As long as the dogs have seen that the kitten is part of the house because of you holding it they should be all just fine. I have 3 dogs and 2 cats. I had the one cat before the dogs and the other cat came as a stray kitten after I had 2 of the dogs and they had puppies and we kept one of the puppies but since the kitten grew up with the puppy it thinks it is a dog too and follows them around. When they run outside to bark at something the cat runs right behind them and will stand at the fence while the dogs bark. When the dogs see our cats in the street they will bark at the cats as if telling them to get back inside. Any cat that isnt ours and comes in the yard and isnt lucky enough to get out quick enough ends up sadly being destroyed. I have dobermans. But with our cats they are very loving and they all sleep together. So yes it is possible to introduce a kitten to your dogs.

Answer 4

Absolutely ! As everyone mentioned take it slowly.

The dogs are pack animals and predators so keep in mind anything that runs will be chased and looked at as prey. So your first introductions should be as mentioned either handholding the kittens and letting the dogs smell them or you can put the kittens in a cage in the middle of the room and allow them to interact while being protected.

I happen to like to use both methods at the same time. By the kittens being in the cage the dogs will get use to seeing them playing and jumping around. .

By handholding the dogs will most likely sniff, clean them and try to put them in their mouths. I believe this is all okay. You do want to protect yourself from getting scratched by the kittens because they will probably hiss and try to protect themselves if the dogs get too rough - and they probably will.

The next thing I would consider is to have the dogs secured on a leash when the kittens loose in a room with the dogs. This way the kittens can move around the house and you can control how the dogs behave and interact with the kittens. Eventually the dogs will realize they are not to chase or become too aggressive and kittens running around will be no big deal.

Remember in all of this you are the boss, the alpha leader with your dogs. You must remain assertive and calm and you must be the one to tell them which behaviors are good and be sure to let them know which will not be tolerated.

Btw, I have 2 large dogs right now with 7 cats living in and out of the house. One dog is the constant companion to 1 cat who follows her everywhere. A couple of the cats come to her regularly to be groomed. The other dog plays with the cats when they are all outside.

Hope this helps.

Answer 5

I have 5 dogs and 4 cats. Two of the cats are kittens, just let the kitten into an area by itself and then let the dogs sniff the area. They will get used to the smell of the kitten and shouldn't be any problem when you introduce them.

Just don't let the kitten near the dogs dinners - not a good idea, my little one nearly ended up as the second course, sat in the dog bowl!

Answer 6

Hi I own 2 dogs and 2 cats (well 1 cat 1 kitten). Granted both my dogs have been raised aorund cats since pups so int he house they really take no notice of the cat. However I have a friend who owns a 2 year old rottwieler and she just got a cat about 4 months ago. The cat and the dog get on pretty good, the dog was curious and did get into the cats face (well it was a 3 month old kitten) but cats are pretty fastidious creatures and can look after their own. Soon after a swat to the nose from the cat and constant supervision by her owner they have both settled in nicely together and have started to play or socialise, without the cat turning into a living pincushion.
It all depends on your 2 dogs. Do they lsiten to you if you tell them to "leave it"? if they do you are all set and shouldn't have too many problems, cept a few grazes on the dogs nose.

Answer 7

I agree with others who say that slow introduction should work. It is not cruel at all. I would also mention that if you are at all concerned after they are introducted, simply have the kittens in a separate room for a while when away from home.
My smallest lab mix found a litter of newborn kittens abandoned by the mother. Abbey is spayed, but the mothering instinct took over.
Of the five all but one died of exposure. When I found her, she had the little kittens lined up in a neat row, and was sitting there looking at them. The one that was actively moving around, about two feet away was not being harmed or touched.
I took the two remaining live ones to a friend who is a nurse and who does cat rescue. From the condition of those two she thought Abbey had tried to mother them (if meanness were her intent, they would have been mangled).
I might add, Abbey was spayed at a young age, thus could not possibly give milk, but she knew to try helping.

Answer 8

it depends entirely on the dogs. If they are calm placid animals then you could do it. You will need to make sure that the kittens have a safe place away from the dogs when they want to eat or sleep. You should not leave the dogs alone with them ever until the cats are big enough to get out of their way. It can be done. I have 8 dogs and 12 cats but the cats have their own room with a child gate for when they want to get away for some peace. Mostly the adult cats and dogs sleep in a big furry heap together.

Answer 9

well it all depends... how are the dogs and how big and old are they... if your dogs are large and young,k playful dogs or agressive it might not be such a good idea but if they are small middle aged and friendly it would probably be okay

in either case it is possible but you have to be very care ful.. you can try to keep the kittens and dogs seperate for a while but the dogs.. especially because of their very rough playful manner tend to be too rough on cats which are much more fragile

basically keep the 2 away from each other.. especially when your not home until they are used to each other and if you dont have a lot of time to devote to making sure everything is ok... it might not be best to get the cats

Answer 10

That depends on your dogs. I have three dogs and three cats and they all get along famously. My dogs have been trained not to run after the cats and the cats when they came, came as kittens, so they grew up with the dogs around. As long as your dogs are trained and have the temperament to not harm cats, you shouldn't have a problem.

If you are unsure about your dogs, talk to a friend with a dog friendly cat and see if you can bring your dog over (one at a time) and see how they react to having a cat in their vicinity (make sure you have leash control over them).

Once you have decided that your dogs will get along with a kitten, a good command to teach is "off" this will remind them to leave the kitten along if they are getting too playful or if they happen to try chasing after her. (they will always have their prey drive kick in when a cat runs past them).

I have added a link to a site that teaches "drop down" in the same way that i would teach "off"

I hope that helps! Good luck with your decision!