Thread: Cats and Dogs

Slowly is always best I think. No matter how cat friendly your dog is, if your kittens haven't seen a dog before they are likely to be frightened the first time they see him. On the first day we brought our MC kitten home we took him straight into a room which was all set up with food water and litter tray. In the door I put a tall stair gate with mesh on it. After a few hours of the kitten settling in to his new surroundings I let our two dogs through but they could only watch him through the gate. They got a little bit over excited so I took them out again and kept doing this little by little until it got to them being calmer when I allowed them to stay longer. After 2 days they were sniffing each other through the gate and kitty was even brave enough to stick his paw through at them. On the third day I opened the gate - keeping a very close eye on them all and by the evening they were all friends. After a week they used to sleep together - Simba's favourate is Elsa who he is lying with in the photos. Maggie my other dog loves him too but is not so eager to curl up with him. Take it slowly and judge by their reactions to each other when to move on to the next stage. But by keeping them separate but still allowing them to see and smell each other is I believe the best way forward.

Thanks so much they arrived home today and we are doing what you said. They are in our bathroom off the bedroom with the gate. Our Beardie is beside himself he is very excited but has now crashed as have the little!! ones.The boy is very interested in our dog but the little girl is a bit shy will see how the next few days go, I hope our lot end up like yours.
Thanks for you advice, I love your photos.