What is a good age to introduce my new kitten(5 weeks) to an adult German shpherd dog?
I have had the dog since he was a puppy and he lived with a cat I had previously for 4 years until she passed away, it has now been about a year and a half and I would like my new kitty 2 to be palls with him just like the old one was. But previously he was the puppy meeting an adult cat...now what?
2007-03-16 16:19:32 · 7 answers · asked by elle 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I don't know a good day, but a bad day would be when you forgot to feed the German Shepherd.
2007-03-16 16:23:09 · answer #1 · answered by beachcolin 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If your dog was good with your other cat, I'd guess he's gentle and wont try and hurt the kitten. Kittens/Puppies usually don't fear the other until they're older. My dog loves kitties and grew up around 3 different cats - never tried to hurt them and one roomies kitten took to sleeping with my dog! Now, if my dog sees a cat outside it's different - she wants to chase it, but indoors, it's totally the opposite - she could care less. No time like the present! Once the kitten gets used to the big dog, I'm sure they'll both adjust. :-)
2007-03-16 23:41:01 · answer #2 · answered by Shoe-fanatic 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
5 weeks is too young for a kitten to be away from its mom, it misses the critical socialization stage and should be at least 6 weeks, but preferably 7-8 weeks.
Your kitten hopefully was vaccinated and dewormed before you got it, if not make sure you do that immediately, there are not too many cross species diseases between dog and cat, but why risk your dog if the kitten isnt vaccinated and dewormed?
anyhow assuming your dog is safe around cats, you can introduce them at any time - DO NOT force an introduction - do it gradually
2007-03-16 23:44:15 · answer #3 · answered by CF_ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well now that you have them both, no time like the present Obviously hold the kitten for its protection at first. Also kittens claws are very sharp & fast so with your supervision they should be fine.. My lab & at loved each other. good luck :)
2007-03-16 23:31:43 · answer #4 · answered by jaine_dou 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Right now while the kitten doesn't have too many insecurities, however do it completely supervised, calm etc.
Sheps are pretty good with kitties.
Good luck.
2007-03-16 23:24:17 · answer #5 · answered by ActionStaffords 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
to introduce my ferrets to one another i let them sleep on there bedding then switch them,alos will let them see each other but not close at first just so there aware that the other exists then real slowly over a short peiod will get them closer together till they want to investegate each other..
2007-03-16 23:29:01 · answer #6 · answered by getbyone 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
personally i would do it as soon as possible, I had this happen to me and what i did is held my kitten and our dog just came up and smelt her and at first neither one was too sure about eatch other but they are ok now..
2007-03-16 23:30:38 · answer #7 · answered by debbie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋