should I put the kittens in large crate?

Question

I have 2 4month old kittens & trying to introduce them to a dog a (matiff) I have a large crate should I put them in there with cat liter so they can see each other?Dog just barks a little at them but when they r in the crate dog leaves them.Should I spray kittens when they growl at dog? I have been switching them around until they get use to each other any suggestion???

Answer 1

The crate is definitely a great thing to have when introducing new pets. It gives the kittens the feeling of safety if they ever feel threatened by the dog and you can ensure that the dog can't get to them. Make sure the crate is big enough for the 2 kittens, their litter, and their food & water. Also make sure there's enough distance between the food & water and the litter as they do not like to eat where they do their business.

Do not spray them if they hiss or growl at the dog. If the dog growls at them, you should be spraying the dog to say "hey, it's NOT ok if you growl at the kittens". The kittens are enclosed in their "safe" area so if the dog is invading their space, they have a right to say "hey, get away". If you spray them, they might get the wrong message that they are being bad by "protecting" their territory and just acting the way kittens do.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Yup, crate the kitties. I also include a cardboard box with a hole in it so they have some place safe to hide. I stick the litter box inside a milk crate laying on it's side--the milk crate provides the kitties with an elevated viewing area.
I never combine the dog and new cat(s) in a room where the cat can't hide under a couch, behind a desk etc. Eventually they get used to each other and if not, the cats develop street smarts to steer clear of the big mean ol' doggie.
I never feed the cats on the floor or leave their food there. They have an area where they can eat without having to worry about the dog diving for their cat chow. Every dog knows cat chow is much more delicious than dog kibble! This eliminates the possibility of developing more hard feelings towards each other.
Cats stick together, hissing and spitting, but when separated from it's compadres, one kitty often will investigate a dog, gingerly sniffing and the dog won't care.
Go slow, let one out at a time and eventually crack open the crate door (wire it so it can't be flipped open by you-know-who) so the kittens can come and go as they please.
Also remember to introduce them to their new litter box area.

Answer 3

If the cats are in a crate and there is a BIG dog sniffing around outside of it, they could freak! Cats have to feel that they can escape from threatening situations. If you crate them, they will be really scared and have no place to run.

A mastiff is a really big dog. Kittens are very small. They know that one bite and they are goners. The best way to do this is to crate the dog and let the cats have a sniff. If you don't have a crate big enough for the dog, then try to put up some kind of a barrier that the dog can't pass, but the cats can. The cats can be around the dog when they want and away from the dog where the dog can't get them when they want.

Answer 4

It's a good idea to put the kitten in a crate and take your dog and go somewhere "neutral" as dogs and cats can be very territorial. Slow introduction is purrfect (couldn't help myself there). Do NOT spray the kittens when they growl at the dog...it's their natural instinct and a way they warn what they believe may be a predator to keep away. I would suggest crating the dog and allowing the kittens to see him while they're not crated. A good introduction can take several weeks, so patience is key. And NEVER leave the kittens alone with the dog for even a second. Good luck!

Answer 5

Sounds like a good idea. At www.littlebigcat.com Dr. Jean Hovfe has an article titled "Cat to Dog Introductions". It would be worth your time to read that.

The crate is a good idea to start things out. Don't spray the kittens when they growl or hiss. They are not being "bad" - that is just an instinctive reaction out of fear because the dog is so much larger than they are.

Answer 6

If you spray the kittens when they growl at the dog, they are going to connect the dog to getting sprayed and they will always blame the dog for it. They will never get along.

I have found the best thing to do about acquainting cats and dogs is to confine the dog to a room with a babygate. This way, the dog can't chase the cats and the cats know it. It gives the cats the chance to stray into the dog's territory and retreat if they don't feel safe. The dog may have been there first, but cats know they are vulnerable and are self-protective. The cats can come up to the gat and see the dog, even sniff the dog, but if the dog growls, they know they are safe, can run away, and the dog can't chase them.

Answer 7

I've done this many times, and you have the right idea. But don't punish any of the animals for growling at each other. It's natural, and you don't want them to recall meeting the dog as a bad experience by squirting them with water. Keep switching them around, and make sure cats nails are clipped when they finally are around w/o the cage.

Answer 8

Dont punish the kittens for being scared of the big dog. Reassure them that they will be okay. Spray the dog for barking at them and scaring them. Keep them in the crate with all the necessities until they get used to the dogs smell

Answer 9

NO it is not merciless in any respect. as long because of the fact the kitten has what it choose and is risk-free and you enable it out something of the time i do no longer see why it may be undesirable in any respect. it fairly seems to me that it may be protecting certainly one of those small animal risk-free. that's amazingly youthful and ought to get harmed. i do no longer think of crating an older cat is a huge thought nonetheless.

Answer 10

Never put a cat in a crate in less you are taking them to the vet. Cats get very stressed when they have no were to go and get out of the way. Try to make this happy for the cats and dog.