So I have a Westie resident dog. He is about 10 years old now. I just got two 8 mo old kittens and did the "Introduction" process recommended to me. The Westie adapted fine to our current cat, who is about 7 now. But the new kittens are posing a serious problem. I got them used to each other's scents and let them sniff each other on either side of a door. I waited a long time. Then I introduced them. The new kittens will hiss angrily at the dog, which he will generally ignore until he finally gets curious. When he ventured a little too close, one kitten lashed out and smacked him on the face. That caused the dog to immediately start to howl and bark at the top of his lungs. I separated them, restarted the process and tried again with kitten number two. things seemed to be doing great, until AGAIN the dog got just a bit too close and kitten number two ALSO lashed out and smacked him on the face, causing another episode of wailing and barking. Westie has sustained not even a scratch so I'm assuming their claws were sheathed both times. I am at my wits end. I keep restarting and re-introducing with the same result. Now the dog is frightened of them but STILL insists on coming up to sniff them, provoking an angry outburst from the kittens. Is it too late for them to ever bond?? Or at least tolerate each other?
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Dog vs cats...PLEASE help!
- Thread starter jessica991
- Start Date
It's not too late, but due to their ages it will take longer than with younger animals. At 10 your dog is very used to life as is and won't adapt to a new situation as quickly as when he was younger. The kittens are still easily young enough to bond, though. The real question you have to ask is what experience the kittens had with dogs before you got them, because that's what's influencing these reactions. They're old enough that they've begun to learn what's safe and what's not, and if they learned that dogs aren't safe before you got them that makes this a more difficult process. Do you know anything about their backgrounds? Are they siblings, and therefore probably been exposed to the same experiences? If you don't know anything I'd say it's safe to chalk it up to they had some sort of not fun experience with a dog, or they've never encountered dogs before and are freaked out by the whole idea, and that's the core of your problem. Either one is pretty easy to fix at that age using basically the same technique.
You want to establish that dog = fun things. Depending on your cats fun things can be treats, loves, playtime, whatever they like best. Make sure that every single experience they have with your dog involves lots and lots of that, and make sure your dog doesn't push his boundaries. Keep him at a distance the cat is comfortable with, which is easiest on a leash--and make sure he gets fun things too around the cats so he makes positive associations with them. As they both get more comfortable let the dog get closer but watch for any signs of any of them getting stressed, and always give your kittens an "escape route" (this can be a crack in the door to another room or a hiding spot or anything really as long as the cat can freely go there and feel safe) in case it becomes too much. Forcing them into an interaction will only make things worse.
You want to establish that dog = fun things. Depending on your cats fun things can be treats, loves, playtime, whatever they like best. Make sure that every single experience they have with your dog involves lots and lots of that, and make sure your dog doesn't push his boundaries. Keep him at a distance the cat is comfortable with, which is easiest on a leash--and make sure he gets fun things too around the cats so he makes positive associations with them. As they both get more comfortable let the dog get closer but watch for any signs of any of them getting stressed, and always give your kittens an "escape route" (this can be a crack in the door to another room or a hiding spot or anything really as long as the cat can freely go there and feel safe) in case it becomes too much. Forcing them into an interaction will only make things worse.
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Thank you for this response. In the time since I read your post I called the shelter and there is little to no information about what happened to the cats before they came to them - so it's anyone's guess. But it would make complete sense. They love my current cat. She has been relatively patient with them...will hiss if they get too close some times, let them get a little cuddly other times. Not sure if hissing is angry or just her laying down the law. She often scratches at my bedroom door and wants to be let in where they are...is that good?
Per your advice I've been giving both cats and dog treats when they are together. The cats can be within a very close space to the dog, especially when being given treats, just if the dog engages them will they hiss. They no longer growl at him, though. I'm just so surprised at my dog's reaction - the cat's claws must be sheathed when they bop him on the nose. Is he barking and wailing in pain or just anger at being challenged?
Your dog doesn't sound angry to me, but confused and scared. Every cat is different, and these cats are clearly not behaving in a way he's used to cats acting so it's upset him. It's also part of his breeding to bark when there's a threat, so he probably interpreted these kittens behavior as threatening and he's letting you know they could be dangerous! He'll get used to them, though, with time. Kittens are a bit of a challenge for everyone because they can be rambunctious, so be prepared for him to be surprised by their behavior, whether it's playful or hostile, again and again when they interact. Treats and petting and lots of "good dog!"s will help! The kittens will adapt too. They were warning the dog, who is big and could be a predator, not to hurt them or they'd fight back. They didn't realize the dog had no interest in hurting them. So it's just a matter of everyone understanding everyone else's intentions. Most importantly, do not rush things. Keep their interactions short and sweet for now, and very gradually increase the level of interaction at the pace of the animal who's the least comfortable. It's much better to go slowly than to have another negative experience and have to start back at square one.
Your cat isn't angry with the kittens. Adult cats will often hiss at kittens to teach them boundaries, and it's very good socialization. It's actually wonderful she's taken to them so quickly! IF you have a baby gate, that might be a good next step. That way the kittens can observe the dog while feeling safe, and also your adult cat can come in if she wants to hang out with the kittens.
Your cat isn't angry with the kittens. Adult cats will often hiss at kittens to teach them boundaries, and it's very good socialization. It's actually wonderful she's taken to them so quickly! IF you have a baby gate, that might be a good next step. That way the kittens can observe the dog while feeling safe, and also your adult cat can come in if she wants to hang out with the kittens.
Don't get too upset about the kittens vs Westie situation. So long as they're not using claws there isn't a problem.
I brought an older kitten into my fur family nearly a year ago. I have a labrador (6), a greyhound (13) and one other cat (13). Asha hit out and hissed at both dogs - particularly the labrador, who's the more inquisitive. She's a lot better than she used to be now that she's used to the dogs, but she'll still hit and hiss from time to time. Both dogs have a healthy respect for her (and don't like passing her in corridors/doorways), but for the most part they're relaxed around each other and respect each others space. Nobody is stressed out. It really is just part of the cat/dog dynamic.
Do these look like stressed out or scared dogs to you?
I brought an older kitten into my fur family nearly a year ago. I have a labrador (6), a greyhound (13) and one other cat (13). Asha hit out and hissed at both dogs - particularly the labrador, who's the more inquisitive. She's a lot better than she used to be now that she's used to the dogs, but she'll still hit and hiss from time to time. Both dogs have a healthy respect for her (and don't like passing her in corridors/doorways), but for the most part they're relaxed around each other and respect each others space. Nobody is stressed out. It really is just part of the cat/dog dynamic.
Do these look like stressed out or scared dogs to you?
Columbine
, big awwwws at your fur family! I have issues with a dog (Chihuahua mix) that likes to chase and bark at the cats. Unfortunately this means no playing with the cats until after mom goes to bed (since Sugar sleeps with her). I'm hoping once it's nice out and the dogs can go back out again, she'll be less in the mood to chase them.
As for the OP's situation, I agree, need to just give it some more time. Kittens are kinda crazy to begin with :lol3: takes awhile for them to acclimate to the older fur-folks also.
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Aww, I'm glad they're making progress. It sounds to me like the kittens are just warning him that they don't like him being so close, and he's probably barking out of confusion. Westies are terriers, which were bred to chase or track small animals and kittens definitely qualify, so his reaction is very normal for his breed. As they all adjust to the situation he should stop for the most part. And it sounds like your older cat is just teaching the kittens how to behave politely, which is another very normal behavior. Older cats will "correct" rude kittens with a growl or hiss, or sometimes a bop to the head. It's their natural way of learning to be polite as adults and it's very good for them.
It sounds like things are going at a good pace so I wouldn't worry too much right now.
