Dear Miss Behavin’: We have an exuberant eight month old puppy and are considering bringing home a kitten. What are some tips on choosing our kitten and introducing it to the dog?
It’s a good idea to start this process while both the kitten and puppy are young! Even so, it’s important to take personality into consideration. Though it can be hard to determine a young kitten’s personality, try looking for a confident, outgoing kitten. A cautious or shy kitten may want to run away from your dog, which may kick in his inclination to chase. A confident kitten may be more curious than afraid of your puppy, which will help you all start off on the right foot.
Even with a confident kitten, the introduction should be a slow and careful process. Start the kitten in a room of her own with everything she needs and visit her often (without the pup) to help her get to know you and acclimate to her new home. This will allow the dog to get used to the sounds and smells of the kitten without having direct access, and likewise. You can also exchange scents by giving the dog a blanket or towel that the cat has laid on, and giving the cat something of the dog’s. Don’t put these items directly on their bed or other safe space but in a neutral spot that allows them to investigate.
Once both critters are completely relaxed and behaving normally, start letting them see each other. Do this safely by putting a baby gate or screen across the door so that they still don’t have full access to one another. Keep these sightings short and positive for each of them. It is helpful to have a person with each animal to help them remain calm and redirect their attention if either becomes agitated. Continue these short visits until both animals seem totally calm again. Only once they are both behaving “normally” around each other should you move on to removing the physical barrier. If at any point you are concerned for the safety of either animal, or are simply unsure of how to proceed, contact a professional trainer.