Introducing a kitten ... or maybe that is kittens?

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smallbutgreat

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I lost my dear old cat quite suddenly in December at the age of 12, and am just starting to think of getting a kitten to replace him.

My main worry is my dog, a lively and quite dominant six year old dalmatian. We had very few cat-dog problems when we got her as a puppy, because the cat was well-established and very fiery. He was always top cat, bloodied her nose a couple of times and gave her the eyeball if she ever got out of line. But they became good mates and I fancy the dog also misses him. She certainly still goes looking in all his haunts.

I'm very well aware that it could be much harder to introduce a cat to a house where there is already a dog than the other way round. Also, I have seen my dog chase very aggressively stranger cats that have trespassed in my garden so I know it does need to be handled with care.

In March I will have two to three weeks off work after an operation, and this could be an ideal time to introduce a new animal when I am around all day to superintend. But I am wondering how it would work when I was out of the house. I currently think of getting a kitten, rather than an older cat which might find it harder to adapt. But the size difference just seems immense, and I would appreciate advice on how to manage the situation.

I am also wondering about getting a pair of kittens, as they are good company for each other. Our old cat got so much attention from the kids that he didn't want for playmates, but they are now away all term. Just wonder if two kittens rather than one would be better or worse with the dog.
 
Get a dog crate, we had a dog crate when we got the latest kitten into a household of 5 dogs and 2 cats and one dog took exception to her, so we would alternate between the dog and the kitten in the crate for short periods so they could look/argue without injuring each other. make sure the doors are securely shut etc! And the only thing is a big dog crate might allow the kittne out/in through the gaps...
 
Ditto the crate. When we got our 2 kittens we kept them in a GSD sized crate whilst introducing them to Buffy. At first we just let her sniff at them through the wire (with lots of hissing and spitting from kits) and gradually let them out when we were about. She soon got used to them and they are now best of friends and often share her bed.
 
Thanks to both of you for the crate suggestions ... hmm, would be interesting to see my dog in one. Perhaps she should have a few practice runs, before any ktten comes along, because I know it will put her nose out of joint and don't want the cat to get the blame!

I wonder if large crates can be hired ... maybe talk to my vet here.

Just interested, do you think one kitten or two would make any difference in this situation?
 
We have a child stair gate - the cat can slip through and has all the upstairs to escape to when the dogs get too excited
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I echo the dog crate idea.

Hmmm....one kitten or two?

Two kittens are likely to play together instead of trying to play with the dog.......but it's double trouble if they both decide to ambush the dog.

Sorry, I'm no help
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I used a dog crate when we took Gracie, the stray kitten, in last year.

She was ever so tiny, far too young to not be with her mum. She was just dumped at our farm gates. I put her in the crate with a litter tray, big thick fleece blanket and food. We used to get her out for an hour or so at at time to fuss, but always put her back in to eat etc....largely because the dog would steal her food. She was also so tiny that she might have seemed fair game to the dog.

Over time, as she got bigger, we realised that the dog actually liked her company and was quite soft with her. She will hang from his tail and ears and he does nothing. Doesn't bat an eyelid.

We no longer use the crate. The dog isn't interested in her litter tray, which I thought he might be. The only "problem" we have is that we have to keep the cat's feed dish on a windowsill otherwise the dog eats her food.

Only time he's ever growled at her is when he's being fed and she tries to eat from his bowl. We just make sure we put her some fresh food in her bowl at the same time.

Our two lie together all the time. They are clearly good company for each other.
 
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