Planning ahead for new kitten

charlotteda

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Hi all,

Just lost my 16yr old kitty a few weeks ago.  She was adopted as a 5 week old from a kill shelter.  Needless to say we are devastated.  Definitely want another one eventually.  Definitely want a small kitten.  My problem is that I have a 10yr old papillon.  He will not bother the kitten but I don't want the kitten to terrorize him either.  SO.

I want to purchase a good cat cage to use in the beginning and if we get in a situation where the dog needs some peace. 

I am looking at 2 -   one is narrower on the bottom but taller.  The other has more bottom space but not as tall - it will have a more "imposing" appearance.  I'm leaning towards the IRIS cage that is taller .  I would love to have opinions.

I apologize if this post is in the wrong place - I am new here.

Charlotte

http://www.chewy.com/iris-multi-story-wire-cat-play-pen-3/dp/50411

 

nihki

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Sorry about your loss. I know how heartbreaking it can be. :(

As for a new kitten, can you not just leave the kitten in a different room if she gets too rambunctious with your dog?

Or perhaps adopt a slightly older kitten, one who has already been fixed and calmed down a bit. If you adopt one around 6-12 months, you would have a better idea of how her personality will be as well. As long as you play with her enough and tire her out, she shouldn't get too crazy with your dog.

Small kittens can be terrors, I raised one I found outside from 1 week old, and he harassed my 7 year old cat non-stop, jumping on his back and trying to play-fight him, but of course my cat was bigger so he just pushed him over and walked away. He would also chase my older cat out of the litter box every time he heard him. Once my kitten was fixed at 6 months, he really calmed down. Now when they play-fight, it's actually mutual, my older cat sometimes enjoys a little wrestle with the younger kitty. 

I hope this helps.
 
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mani

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Hi @Charlotteda.  I'm so sorry for the loss of your girl.  She had a lovely long and happy life with you, by the sound of it, and it's always so hard.


I'm not sure about the cages.. a little kitten could get into a bit of trouble with all that metal structure... but you can put him/her in a small space with lots of comfortable spots, playthings, food and water.

Here's a couple of our articles that may help.  And well done for taking the time to think all of this through. So many people don't!

 [article="0"]Bringing Home A New Cat​[/article]  

 [article="29682"]Introducing Cats To Dogs​[/article]
 
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charlotteda

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Yes I could but I want to get a tiny kitten from the kill shelter that would otherwise not live. I realize the drawback is not being able to see personality in one that young and they spay them before they leave no choice there.
 
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charlotteda

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It seems that with the iris one you can use the separate sections individually so I could have the bottom and maybe the second part with a low perch. Save the top for later. Our old house in laid out in such a crazy way there is not easy way to give a pet a whole room.

I think we have come up with a way to divide the downstairs so if we need to we can separate them later without having to cage the cat but I don't want to give the kitten that much room at first.

If I can't come up with a good way to give the kitten a good deal and not hurt Rufus' quality of life, I will wait until he is gone but I would like to get one sooner.

Thanks for the tips.
 

talkingpeanut

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Could you consider getting two kittens? It generally helps. They keep each other busy, and might be a good alternative. Cats generally don't respond well to caging.
 
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charlotteda

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I've read that 2 kittens bond to each other instead of their people. I don't plan for the kitty to spend a great deal of time in the cage, I only work 15 hours a week- just want to protect my pup - he was here first.
 

talkingpeanut

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Kittens would definitely have a relationship with each other, but not at the exclusion of you. I think it would be overwhelming to an older dog and to you to get a single very young kitten. A more equally matched playmate would make a huge difference.

And even if it is just for 15 hours, I think there must be better solutions than a cage. Either a buddy, or a room for the kitten. It will just be a very frustrating 15 hours.
 

skelekittycat

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I've read that 2 kittens bond to each other instead of their people. I don't plan for the kitty to spend a great deal of time in the cage, I only work 15 hours a week- just want to protect my pup - he was here first.
If you're only working 15 hours a week, I wouldn't worry about them bonding only with each other. My two boys are inseperable, but they still come straight to mum and dad when they want a cuddle or a chin rub. They entertain themselves (and us) when they're awake, but we're by no means unloved.

Two cats is generally better than one, but you are right to consider your dog first and foremost. You said he wouldn't bother the cat at all, but is he the sort of dog to stand up for himself when he's fed up? Kittens tend to learn quickly when they can't get away with something, so that's always something to consider.
 

NewYork1303

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Our kitten lived mostly in an X Large wire dog crate for the first weeks at our house. She was put in this space when she was unsupervised so that we could keep her safe and introduce her to our other cat and our dog better. So it isn't a problem to keep a kitten in a cage for a bit in my opinion. 

I've never had a problem with two kittens bonding to each other and not to me. My mother raised two bottle fed babies and they were easily as bonded to her as they were to each other. Probably more so. It seems similar to saying a baby won't bond to you if it has a twin- certainly not true.
 
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