Is it safe to leave an 8 week old kitten with a lively 12 week old puppy?

Question

just for a short time when i go out?....I'm a bit worried that the pup (a jack russel) will get over excited and maul her....I've been on pins since i got the kitten as she's so tiny and frail in comparision to the boisterous pup, and worried sick my dog will hurt her when he's playing....I wanted to get the two together whilst they are young, so they can grow up together but am wondering if i did the right thing...the poor kittens terrified.....Any tips or advice to reassure me? Thanks......

Answer 1

more likely than not the kitty will get its claws round the dogs face...it will be ok

Answer 2

The 2 should never be alone together... especially at that age. I would suggest getting a crate for your puppy anyhow - you're just asking for trouble leaving a pup that young out to wander unsupervised - is he house trained? Does he know not to eat wires, papers, garbage?

I have a year and a half old dog, and a nearly-year old cat, and they are never left alone together. When I go out, the cat is in my bedroom, and the dog is in the living room (with both rooms carefully checked over for dangerous items before hand). Even when I'm here, they fight (OK, play, but the cat gets pretty vicious sometimes!), I can't imagine what they'd do if I weren't here to referee!

As others mentioned, jack russels are known for their agression towards smaller animals, so it would be a very BAD idea to leave them alone together. It's in the dogs nature and background to hunt and kill small animals, so you couldn't even blame him if he DID do something to the cat. Please make sure that you are ALWAYS watching them when they are together. And, finally, not to offend, but I don't think the cat OR the dog really care much about having the other around to grow up with. Another animals of the same type would have made more sense.

Answer 3

I think that, for the time being, when you're out, they should go in different rooms. However, when you are in, try to let them be around one another as much as possible. While you're away the puppy will most likey be bored or sleeping but if he's bored then the kitten might seem like a toy. I think especially as he's a Jack Russel (which have a hunting gene) it's not wise to leave them alone. I have a west highland terrier and a cat and where they get on together when I'm around (most of the time)... I always put the cat out when I go out. Also, when the kitten is bigger...he'll be able to defend him/herself better. I know my cat doesn't stand for the dogs silly behaviour!!

Answer 4

JRT's are notorious for killing cats. I'd make sure the puppy was securely confined (in a crate - all puppies should be crate trained, but that's another thread) when you are not home. Either that or give the kitten it's own room and close the door securely when you are not around.

They will eventually be able to "share space" but not while they are so young. Terriers were bred to kill rats and mice and many of them don't differentiate between a rat and a small cat, especially as a puppy. You will need to make sure you teach the pup a command to drop whatever is in it's mouth - the word OFF worked in my rottie. That way if it ever does grab the kitten you will have a little control and possibly be able to save it's life. You might not want to get the cat declawed - sounds like she's going to need to keep her weapons =)

Answer 5

I have 4 dogs and 4 cats.. and we recently got 2 young kittens and had to adjust them to our 3 very big and very prey-driven shepherd mixes.

The best idea for BOTH, so that they can slowly adjust and also remain safe, is to seperate them when you are unable to monitor them directly.. but in a manner that allows them both to still hear/smell each other.

When we were gone, we either kept the kittens in a crate (with toys, litter box, the works) so that the dogs could STARE and SNIFF without overstepping any safety or annoyance boundaries while we were out. Then we migrated them to being in a closed bathroom (with sniffing access under the door slot) which allowed easier clean-up and more room for the kittens to play.

Our kittens are now about 5 months old, and they are big enough to mildly hold their own and are able to understand the power of swatting/hissing/jumping up on counters. The dogs now realize the kittens aren't all that interesting anyways, and the adjustment as been great. We let them free roam (its been 3 months of this procedure though) and they all sleep together on the bed like best friends.

Answer 6

Jack Russels are more than lively. The kitten is too young to handle this dog just yet. The puppy needs to be properly trained. Find a safe place where the kitten can have access to food, water and litter box (perhaps in your bathroom) and be safe from the puppy. Make sure to keep breakables off the vanity and lower the toilet seat so she doesn't get hurt or break stuff. When you're home, supervise them and train the dog not to be aggressive. When the kitten grows up, she'll handle him herself just fine. Protect her in the meanwhile. Good luck.

Answer 7

I don't think you should leave them alone just yet. A puppy might not mean to hurt her but he might think she is another puppy and nip at her. Since she is tiny a nip would be a bad thing. You should wait until the kitten and the puppy are older and more mature to put them a lone for a long time. If you are just leaving for a short time you could put the puppy in a proper sized kennel or make a sort-of pen for it. Then there is less chance of the kitten getting hurt.

Good Luck!!

Answer 8

Neither of them should be left in the bathroom unless you want to risk them drowning head down in the toilet.
The pup should be in a crate when you go out to keep it out of trouble, ie chewing electric cables/eating something it shouldn't.
They will be ok together only with you there to supervise and let the pup know that the kitten is not prey.

Shut the puppy in the kitchen and buy a crate and learn how to use it.

Answer 9

Don't leave alone together & only bring them together when you are there to supervise. Jack russells can be pretty vicious when they start so dont leave kids alone with the pup either. I have known some nice jack russells (not many) but unfortunately alot of it is in the genes and breeding

Answer 10

Absolutely not! Jack russels are terriers, bred to kill small furry things like your kitten. To introduce them, it may be best to have your puppy on a leash or in a crate, and let the kitten check him out where she is safe. Its no wonder she's terrified- she knows the pup's intentions.

Answer 11

I would split them up if you are going out. Put kitten in a room upstairs with litter tray, food and water and somewhere soft to sleep. Let them get used to each other when you are around to supervise. That way, if the pup does get a bit too playful, you can interven to stop kitten getting hurt.