Thread: Cats and Dogs

Hi Harro and welcome to the Forum. You must be soooo excited waiting for your kittens .
From my experience it is difficult to know just how the meeting of Albie and the kittens will turn out. He may not react to the kitties like he did to Boots , hopefully he will be most welcoming. Recently I had to introduce my Border collie to my new MC who was not a kitty but 2 years old. I had a room ready into which I was going to put Maisie the MC for a while until she got used to me and her new home. All preparations were needless as Meg, collie, immediately went to the door with great wagging of tail and scratching at door. Whatever she smelled seemed to be OK with her so I did introduce them right away. From the start Meg was fine with Maisie while the latter did keep out of Megs way for some days. Now a month later there is no problem at all except for a little jealousy on Meg,s side, nothing aggresive just pushing her nose for pats if i am giving time to Maise.
So what does my story say that may be helpful? Not a lot except that I think it is impossible to know how such introductions will evolve, there are so many factors to consider. I have had two other introduction experiences and both worked out very well. I think in general there is a good outcome and friendship or at least tolerance results. Take it slowly and I hope to read here that your furry family has settled in happily together.

Hi Harro, welcome, and lucky you about to bring home 2 MC babies!
I am very sorry for your loss and of course you are all fretting. You don't mention how recent it is, but congratulations on doing something so positive and trying to move forward.

We had a similar experience: we lost our old Persian very suddenly to kidney failure, and one week later we were viewing the kittens, and 3-4 weeks later they were home with us. We don't have a dog, just a cranky,funny old moggy who luckily took to them really well. He's the boss, but the lads are bigger than him now and knock him off his feet from time to time - cue riotous wrestling...

I wish you the best of luck with the introductions and please do post some pictures as soon as you can!!!

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.

Thanks for your kind words. We lost Boots in August, and might not have got 2 MC if not for our Beardie he has been so down, but today he hasnt taken the smile off his face.
It will be a slow intro as they are not used to dogs but they are seperated by a gate into our bathroom and their is a lot of interest on both sides so I am hopefull.
I will post some photos soon I must keep the camera with me so I dont miss when they get together.
Thanks again

Thanks for your advice . We picked up the kittens today and our Beardie is so happy he has his old smile back. As the kittens are not used to dogs it will take a few days one of them the boy seems very brave and comes up to the baby door that separates them. they have all gone to sleep now as it has been a long day for them all, looking forward to tomorrow.
Thanks so much again.will let you know how things turn out.

Hi

Glad all is going well

Here is a picture ( not a very clear one) of sarah about to clock my cocker spaniel on the head through the trellis. Funnily she doesnt do it when face to face with him inside the house.

He just steps back out of her reach most of the time!!

Glad it's going well, your dog seems to be having the right reaction - mine were excited too. Wait until both your kittens want to come out to meet him before you take it to the next step though. Keep us updated and love to see some pictures.

Originally Posted by Harro

Thanks for your advice . We picked up the kittens today and our Beardie is so happy he has his old smile back. As the kittens are not used to dogs it will take a few days one of them the boy seems very brave and comes up to the baby door that separates them. they have all gone to sleep now as it has been a long day for them all, looking forward to tomorrow.
Thanks so much again.will let you know how things turn out.

That's great to hear, Harro - looking forward of photo's soon!