How To Introduce A Kitten To A Dog In 4 Ways

Bringing home a new addition to the family always brings excitement. This excitement, however, can also rouse anxiety in your existing pet. Before setting your brand new kitten loose, you must practice the proper cat enrichment activities to integrate them—especially when a dog's roaming around the halls. 

Dogs and cats can live together in beautiful harmony, but it requires thought, patience, and most importantly, a regulated introduction. 

Knowing how to introduce a kitten to a dog early on can yield much better results in the long run. Get your pets off on the right foot (or paw, rather) with these 4 steps for success. 

#1 Make Your Kitten Feel At Home

Before your pet’s initial introduction, allow your new cat to feel comfortable in their new home. Cats typically need time to familiarize themselves with new surroundings before they feel totally at ease and ready for more novelty. 

You can make your kitten feel comfortable by:

• Creating a space just for them 
• Bringing familiar scents from their old home (perhaps a blanket or old toy)
• Keeping their room as quiet as possible
• Introducing them to new toys
• Giving them time to explore

Keep your kitten separated from other animals for about a week. By giving your kitten the time and tools to feel comfortable, they'll likely feel more at ease when introduced to other animals. 

#2 Separate Introductions

If your kitten seems appropriately accustomed to their new space, you can get started with introductions. However, when learning how to introduce a kitten to dogs, it's best to take small steps at a time. Remember, you may have contextual knowledge of how sweet your pup is, but to your cat, your dog is a bonafide predator.

Instead of immediately placing them in the same room, it's best to make them aware of each other at safe distances. 

Maintain a healthy boundary by using the following:

• Dog crate – If your pup is crate trained, lock them inside and give them a toy or bone to distract them. Then, bring the kitten into the same room as the dog and let them see each other.
• Pet gate – If you've put up gates around your house for pet-proofing or child care, use them to your advantage. With a gate separating them, they can see and smell each other on opposite sides while still being able to move away if feeling threatened. 
• Screen door – Put your dog in the backyard and close the screen door. You can place your kitten by the screen door and watch them interact in real-time. If your dog looks on edge, you can always find activities to do with dogs to distract them. 

When implementing barriers, avoid using glass doors. Though they'll have a full view of each other, they won't be able to smell each other’s scent. Smells are integral to animal introductions—after all, instead of handshakes, they have friendly sniffs.

#3 Put Them In A Room Together

Once you feel your pets have grown accustomed to the other's presence, you can slowly introduce real interactions. 

Find a neutral space in your home where both animals feel comfortable, and keep the play sessions short at first. You can increase the timespan as they grow more used to each other. 

For best results, feel free to implement these tips and tricks for a successful playdate:

• Leash your dog – Even sweet-tempered dogs feel the urge to lunge at new animals in their territory. So don't shy away from a leash. If your dog seems exceptionally territorial, you should also consider a muzzle. While it may feel extreme, this will ensure your kitten is safe.
• Go on a walk beforehand – Get rid of excess energy by taking your hyper dog on a walk before meeting your kitten. Hopefully, your pup will return feeling calm, happy, and ready to make a new friend. 
• Provide treats – Keep treats handy during their interactions for positive reinforcement—reward calm behaviors—such as sitting stoically or not reacting to a playful bat of the paw. 

During these meetings, it's best to have two chaperones when possible. One should look after the kitten to make them feel they are in a safe space, while the other holds the dog's leash and ensures they behave. 

#4 Keep An Eye Out for Behavioral Changes 

To have a successful meeting, you should understand how to introduce a kitten to dog behavior. Cats and dogs show their distress differently, so learning to recognize them can help prevent any disturbances. 

If your kitten starts feeling aggression, they might: 

• Freeze up
• Start growling or hissing
• Flatten their ears
• Wrap their tails around their body 

A dog’s behavior may vary slightly depending on age or breed. However, most dogs show they’re uncomfortable or threatened with: 

• Excessive eye contact
• Stiffened stance
• Barking
• Whining

Though they may misbehave, you shouldn’t reprimand your pets during the introduction process. Punishment may lead to negative connotations with interaction. So instead, make sure to reward good behavior whenever possible to ensure that each animal naturally bonds how they see fit.

Next, Introduce Your Kitten To Darwin’s Natural Pet Products

With patience and positivity, you can ensure your pets start on the right path to becoming best friends. Proper pet care can turn any house into a happy home. That's why we believe in giving all furry friends, ages 4 months and up, the care they deserve at Darwin's Pet. 

Browse our well-balanced, conscious raw dog food or raw cat food selections. Inspired by nature and pet-approved ingredients, we're dedicated to raising every pet to its fullest potential with our natural pet food. 

Introduce your new pet to Darwin's Natural Pet Products—they’ll be fast friends.  

 

Sources: 

VCA Hospitals. Why Cats Sniff Rear Ends. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/why-cats-sniff-butts

ASPCA. Aggression in Cats. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/common-cat-behavior-issues/aggression-cats

ASPCA. Aggression. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues/aggression