We brought a kitten into our family several months ago. Our old cat hated the kitten from the start. To be honest, except for the cute factor, the kitten is a little terror that even I dread.
My problem is that the kitten just "doesn't get it" that sniffing the big old cat's butt is off limits. So is playing with the big old cat's tail, jumping on the big old cat, sneaking up on her, chasing her etc etc. Our old cat has wacked the kitten countless times (once with claws out) but the little dummy doesn't get it. To make matters worse, our dog decided early on that the kitten is in need of protection and comes running whenever the old cat growls, nudging the old cat away from the kitten. Of course, our old cat doesn't see anything wrong with HER sniffing the kittens butt, face, ears etc. The kitten allows this to happen without problems but soon goes into the "play mode" where she gets on her hind legs and opens her mouth. That's how the kitten and the dog play... By the way, the dog doesn't mind being jumped on and just yelps and nudges the kitten away when it bites too hard or has the claws out when she jumps the dog (The kitten likes to get on top of things and then leap on the back of other living creatures).
We are wanting to take a weekend trip. Of course, we will board the dog but I worry about the cats. Without the dog protecting the kitten, I am afraid that the big old cat might really hurt the kitten. Also, the kitten is an absolut idiot when it comes to chairs... She got her head stuck at least 6 times in the rails of the back of the chair. Since her whining immediately sets off the dog who comes running to us for a rescue mission, she has never gotten hurt. When we are not home, the dog keeps the kitten out of trouble. Our dog is a great kitten-sitter
Am I overreacting? Or should I board the kitten as well when I board the dog? The dog will go to an old lady "who keeps dogs" (meaning our dog will be inside the house with the lady, getting spoiled and having free roam) but the lady doesn't keep cats. So, the kitten will have to be boarded with the vet where she will linger in a cage. Our grouchy old cat can remain home because our neighbors check on her. Due to the nature of our plans, none of the animals can travel with us.
My problem is that the kitten just "doesn't get it" that sniffing the big old cat's butt is off limits. So is playing with the big old cat's tail, jumping on the big old cat, sneaking up on her, chasing her etc etc. Our old cat has wacked the kitten countless times (once with claws out) but the little dummy doesn't get it. To make matters worse, our dog decided early on that the kitten is in need of protection and comes running whenever the old cat growls, nudging the old cat away from the kitten. Of course, our old cat doesn't see anything wrong with HER sniffing the kittens butt, face, ears etc. The kitten allows this to happen without problems but soon goes into the "play mode" where she gets on her hind legs and opens her mouth. That's how the kitten and the dog play... By the way, the dog doesn't mind being jumped on and just yelps and nudges the kitten away when it bites too hard or has the claws out when she jumps the dog (The kitten likes to get on top of things and then leap on the back of other living creatures).
We are wanting to take a weekend trip. Of course, we will board the dog but I worry about the cats. Without the dog protecting the kitten, I am afraid that the big old cat might really hurt the kitten. Also, the kitten is an absolut idiot when it comes to chairs... She got her head stuck at least 6 times in the rails of the back of the chair. Since her whining immediately sets off the dog who comes running to us for a rescue mission, she has never gotten hurt. When we are not home, the dog keeps the kitten out of trouble. Our dog is a great kitten-sitter
Am I overreacting? Or should I board the kitten as well when I board the dog? The dog will go to an old lady "who keeps dogs" (meaning our dog will be inside the house with the lady, getting spoiled and having free roam) but the lady doesn't keep cats. So, the kitten will have to be boarded with the vet where she will linger in a cage. Our grouchy old cat can remain home because our neighbors check on her. Due to the nature of our plans, none of the animals can travel with us.
