Will My Kitten Get Used To My Dogs?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Be patient,

it will probably take a few weeks of having your dog on the leash with the kitten/cat around before everyone is sufficiently comfortable to try with the dog off-leash

. These interactions should still be closely supervised.

Will my kitten ever get used to my dog?


If you are lucky, your cat and dog can become friends within a couple hours. But that won’t usually happen

. It takes time for cats to adapt to the dogs and similarly for the dogs to learn how to behave around cats. Be patient and your cat and dog will get along eventually.

How do I get my kitten to be nice to my dog?

  1. It’s All About The Smell. …
  2. Ensure Your Cat Has Their Own Territory. …
  3. Raise Them Together. …
  4. Plan The First Time They Meet Carefully. …
  5. Make Sure Your Cat Is Relaxed. …
  6. Show Equal Amounts Of Fuss To Both Pets. …
  7. Separate Them After Their First Meeting.

Should I let my kitten hiss at my dog?

Once she fill safe, she will stop hissing. Don’t worry about the hissing too much though.

Comfort her as best you can, but allow them to interact as long as you feel that it’s safe

. They usually work it out for themselves.

How do I teach my dog to be gentle with kittens?

Provide your dog treats to create a positive association with the kitten’s presence. Gradually take your dog off-leash as he shows calm behavior around the new kitten, continue supervising and provide ‘leave it’ or ‘down-stay’ commands as needed until the two animals are comfortable around each other.

How do you tell if a dog is aggressive towards cats?

  • Rigid Stillness. A telltale sign of impending aggression towards a cat is if the dog were to freeze in place and become rigidly still. …
  • Staring. …
  • Visual Tracking. …
  • Tail up. …
  • Hackles raised. …
  • Barking/Whining. …
  • Low Growling. …
  • Baring Teeth/Snarling.

How do I know if my dog likes my new kitten?


She’ll stiffen, stare, and may start barking or whining

. If you see these signs, do not let her near the cat. Ideally, her body language will be loose and relaxed around the cat. It’s OK if she pays attention to the cat, but you don’t want to see her fixated on him.

Why does my kitten hiss at my dog?

If the cat is growling, hissing or attempting to scratch, it means

she is currently uncomfortable

. That doesn’t necessarily mean that she won’t accept the dog; it might just take a little more time. Keep in mind that a new interaction or relationship may not succeed in the first few minutes or even the first few days.

Why is my dog licking my new kitten?


They’re letting you know that they feel the kitten is a part of their pack

. And you’ll probably be surprised, but this goes for both sexes of dogs. Both male and female have been known to take on the duties of the mother. They’ll groom and protect your kitten from any danger.

What cat breeds get along best with dogs?

  1. Birman. Do you want to know the best dog-friendly cats? …
  2. British Shorthair. Do you want a cat that’s a little aloof and independent? …
  3. Norwegian Forest Cat. …
  4. 4. Japanese Bobtail. …
  5. Abyssinian. …
  6. Ragdoll. …
  7. Siberian Cat. …
  8. Tonkinese.

What if my cat doesn’t like my dog?


Prioritize your cat’s safety

.

You can help them feel more secure by providing an escape route, either to another room where your pup can’t go or to a high perch where your dog can’t reach. Give your kitty their own safe space where they can hide and calm down whenever they feel threatened or overstimulated.

Is it better to get a dog or a cat first?

In the most general terms, though, the best strategy would be to adopt first a middle-aged, well-mannered dog who shows little interest in cats, and then a kitten who has been raised in a household with friendly or indifferent dogs around.

How do I get my kitten to not be afraid of my dog?

  1. Create a Kitty Safety Zone. Kitty needs to feel safe. …
  2. Set up Escape Routes. Kitty needs to feel safe. …
  3. Praise positive behavior. …
  4. Let Kitty have the whole house at night. …
  5. Give Kitty time along with you. …
  6. Give Kitty time to adjust.

How do you introduce an aggressive dog to a kitten?

  1. Getting started. Make sure the cat has access to a dog-free sanctuary at all times. …
  2. Keep the pets separate at first. …
  3. Feed them on opposite sides of a closed door. …
  4. Teach basic commands. …
  5. Begin face-to-face meetings. …
  6. Repeat sessions daily. …
  7. Allow pets loose together. …
  8. Proceed with caution.

Is my dog jealous of my new kitten?

Basically, if your pet’s behavior changes in any way, and it seems to be in direct correlation with a change in the household (e.g., the introduction of a new pet or human newborn), then he or she may be feeling territorial and jealous. If your dog is always underfoot, it may be a sign of jealousy.

Why does my dog push my kitten with his nose?


Dogs that are bred to herd animals often use nudging to tell those animals where to go

. When dogs with this instinct are put in a domestic situation, they will sometimes “herd” people (usually children) with some nose-nudging.

Why is my dog scared of my kitten?


Dogs that are not properly introduced to cats when they are young can often suffer from a “cat phobia.”

If that is not the case and your pooch only seems scared around your cat, the reason may lie in the cat’s behavior. Cats are often aggressive and territorial, so your dog may be afraid for a good reason.

How long does it take for a dog to get used to a cat?

Liz Palika noted that, in her experience, the “get acquainted” process usually takes

two to three weeks

. Dr. Landsberg noted that sometimes it’s not easy to tell by their interactions if a dog and cat are getting along or not.

Does my dog see my cat as prey?

If your dog has a strong prey drive (the inclination to seek out, chase and potentially capture animals seen as prey — usually smaller animals such as cats or rabbits), she might become very focused on the cat. She’ll stiffen, stare, and may start barking or whining.

How do you introduce a dog to a cat that doesn’t like cats?


Allow both animals to be in the same room at the same time, but keep the dog securely leashed

. Continue with this type of introduction until the dog is calm and ignores the cat, and the cat is calm, eating and using the litter box normally.

How do you tell if a kitten will be a good cat?

Kittens should be

confident, inquisitive and not reluctant to approach people

. Kittens who hiss or hide when handled by humans will be much more difficult to raise into friendly cats. The kitten should not cower or show fear when petted on their head. Kittens should readily accept playing with you.

How long does it take a kitten to get used to a new home?

For some kittens, this settling in period might be over within hours, while for others it could take days or even weeks. For very timid cats, the process could even take

4 to 6 weeks

. Just rest assured that this is normal, and be patient.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.