We (SWMBO and I) are leaving for a cruise on Sunday. My dad is coming to stay with Max and the kids. The problem is that my dad wasn't able to find anyone to watch an abandoned kitten that he found about 4 months ago, so he's bringing the cat with him. I just found out that Dad and the cat will be here this afternoon (he's travelling a day early to beat some weather). The last time Max saw a cat, he was less than 7 weeks old (he's now 1-1/2 years). Evidently, this cat is also a little terror, as most kittens are. Somebody give me a game plan for how to introduce these two....pleeeeaaaase....
Smurf, SWMBO, and the RugRats
Max the Dog
2000 F250 V-10
2005 Cherokee Lite 285B
Very slooooooowly is the best type of introduction. Keep the kitty in another room for the first day, this will allow the dog to get used to the kitty by smell. Provide each animal with a sleeping towel and after they both use it, switch them to the other room. This helps get them accustomed to each other's scent.
Then begin bringing the kitty out to where the dog is while someone holds it. This will work as long kitty isn't scared of the dog and struggles to get free, perhaps wrap kitty in a towel to help keep it from scratching if it's afraid. Remember a running animal brings out the prey drive in another one so if kitty breaks free it might be a disaster. Put kitty back in the safe room after a few minutes and slowly increase the time they can see/smell one another. You will soon know if the two of them can be allowed supervised time without kitty being held. Just remember since it is a strange house for the kitty he/she will need to always have a safe private place (with the door closed) to go when it feels overwhelmed. I would also suggest that if someone can't supervise them then don't leave them together at all. Unless of course, both do very well (no hissing, growling, posturing, etc.) while being supervised for a few days.
It sounds like dad will have enough to keep him busy while y'all are gone. Have a wonderful time on your cruise!
Cat
(Jim just reads the forum once in a while)
Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some sort of battle.... Live simply, love wholly, give generously, care deeply, speak kindly.
Respectfully I do not agree. Not saying it wont work but...
Introducing pets for the 1st time can be tough. Your home is also your dogs home and he will be defensive of his home to this new intruder. YOur better off introducing pets on neutral territory. Maybe a park or even down the street. It also helps if the person that holds the cat upon introduction is also knwon to your dog so there will be some comforting association to the cat. Then slowly go from there at your house following Cat & Jims advice. Just my thought...Good luck!
Neutral ground does indeed work very well, I have used it with dogs MANY times while fostering dogs from various rescue groups. My big concern with doing something like that, especially outside, with a cat is their fight or flight instinct. In the case of flight it would a disaster to have the kitty take off.
For what it's worth, I have used the technique I described when introducing the foster dogs to our cats... some take a bit longer than others, but they all eventually adjust.
Neutral territory is not an option right now, unfortunately.....it's not even going to get above 0 today and windchills are running in the -20 to -30 range, making it unwise to spend enough time outside to make it worthwile.
I've never fussed about "introducing" cats to dogs in that sense. You can NOT take them to the park and make introductions like you would with two dogs. Cats don't work that way. I'd say leash the pup, bring the kitten in and turn it loose. It will probably run like heck from the dog, which is fine, let it hide and check things out from a place of safety. Correct the dog for being aggressive, and give a "leave it" or equivalent for pushing too much. Correct for any dominant behavior, you want the dog to basically be submissive around the cat. Putting the dog on a down-stay can be a big help for this. Remember, its YOUR pack and if YOU bring in a new member, it isn't up to the dog to decide if that's okay or not.
Once you see how Max reacts and how your dad is in the situation, you'll have a better idea if your dad is going to be able to manage them together. This will depend also on his abilities as a dog handler. If so, boffo.
If not, the kitten needs a place to stay within the house. Bathrooms are good, keep the toilet seat down. Give dad a penny can or a spray bottle to deal with the dog trying to get to the cat (such as pawing the door or just refusing to leave it) and tell him to keep them separated. Its really not worth taking the chance with the dog's safety or the cat's or your dad's sanity if he isn't up to the task of handling the two together.
A couple of new spray bottles filled with water and lying around the house is a big help in dealing with terrorist kittens. And even if the kitten and the dog do okay from the get-go, kittens do well to have a space where they can be confined, with their litter box, when they aren't supervised. Or when people's ankles need a break...
susan
What I want to know is, when are they going to start selling Comfort Zone for HUMANS????? 'Cause some days...
If you really really worried about it I know this sounds a bit out there but run to the vet and ask for some doggie happy pills... We use them on 4th of July and New Years when all the neighbor hood vandals go firework crazy... Or if we get a dog too worked up we have been known to slip him a happy pill with some wet food to get by til things quiet down....
Since this is a temporary situation, I wouldn't introduce them at all. Instead, I would set kitty up in a room of his/her own with all the necessities (litterbox, food and water, plenty of scratching posts, bed, toys, etc.). Your dad (and your kids) can go in a few times a day and play with kitty. No need to stress either the kitty or your dog out with introductions, or risk injury to either one, for a temporary stay.
Me and the DH
Two boys and two dogs (and two cats who prefer to stay home)
2008 Forest River Georgetown 350DS (bunkhouse model)
2001 Honda CR-V
I'm not too worried about Dad handling Max....Max listens to him almost as well as he listens to me. The cat will be able to stay in the spare bedroom with dad and have the door shut, so separating them when needed isn't a problem. I just know Max, and he is going to be real excited to have a new toy that hopefully plays back. If he gets too worked up, it'll be kennel time until he cools down. Luckily, temps are supposed to moderate over the next few days and into next week so Max can have plenty of outdoor time to work off excess energy.
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