So recently, I adopted a new kitten (she's two months old and still really little) and the kitten and my jealous dog just don't seem to get along at all. The cat hisses, the dog snaps and trys to bite... I have to keep the kitty in my room so the dog won't hurt her.

Has anyone had this problem? Will things get better when she gets bigger and is more of a threat to my dog? Should I try putting them together a littlel bit each day? I need some serious help.

ANY advice is appreciated greatly.

When I was a kid, my brother brought home a stray puppy. The following year, we adopted a cat. At first, they didn't get along, but over time they became the best of friends. Their friendship lasted until the dog passed away 18 wonderful years later. The cat died the following year - my mother still thinks to this day that it was from loneliness - you could tell she (the cat) missed that dog terribly.

If the dog has been in the home for a while then it may be reacting like my cat did when we tried bringing a puppy in the house. He has been here over 10 years and this house is his domain and he wanted nothing to do with the cocker spaniel so we had to fix a lot and doghouse for her while he stayed indoors. There was no way to keep them separated and let them both live indoors.

I'm sure they'll end up getting along in the end. It's good that you keep the cat in your room overnight for now. Allow them to slowly get used to each other (make sure there's someone around at all times at first).

I've introduced kittens to older cats and it's the same thing. The shortest was 3 days, the longest about 10 to get used to each other. Before that, there's lots of hissing, arching and tail puffing!! lol Right now, your dog is snapping at this fuzzy, hissy thing that he doesn't remember ever seeing before - they don't know what each is and that more than anything is what's causing the friction. The younger the kitten is being introduced, the better.

Try to give each of them their favourite treats while they're around each other. They'll then associate that good things happen when they're together and getting along. Play with each and make sure the dog doesn't think he's losing his standing with this new invader. He'll then figure out that it can be a playmate.

You can almost always introduce a puppy or a kitten, but not an adult to an adult animal.

Before you know it, they'll be good buddies! Good luck and let us know how it works out.

Do you have a carrier for the kitten? Maybe keep the kitten in there and slowly introduce the dog to the kittens also wrap blanket, towel or rag around the dog and place it hear the kitten. The kitten will get used to the dog's scent. Keep putting them together over time and they will get used to each other.

OK, from the other side of the spectrum...

I have two cats, both tortie shell calicos, both female. One is very aggressive and territorial, and I had her first. She was a stray that I took with me after my mother died and I moved to a new house. The second cat is one I adopted from a humane society about two and a half years ago. She is very passive and loving, totally unlike the first.

They can't be in the same room together, period. The aggressive cat dominates the other totally; eating her food, using her box, drinking her water, and stalking her to the point of attacking her. The passive one will try to fight back a bit but she's just overpowered every time.

I've tried everything, like gradual introduction and all the other tricks the vet suggested. No go. And I'm not about to just "throw them together"; my second cat would be so stressed out she'd be sick all the time. It's not fair to her.

My solution is to have an East/West Germany type of situation. First cat gets the living room and kitchen, second gets my bedroom and bathroom. Never the twain shall meet. Both seem happy. It's a strain on me because I try to give them equal time and when I am with one the other will start to cry after a while. I have to alternate sleeping quarters, lol.

But it's manageable and I love them both. I have thought about a third but I've decided this is as much as I can handle for now! :)

OK, from the other side of the spectrum...

I have two cats, both tortie shell calicos, both female. One is very aggressive and territorial, and I had her first. She was a stray that I took with me after my mother died and I moved to a new house. The second cat is one I adopted from a humane society about two and a half years ago. She is very passive and loving, totally unlike the first.

They can't be in the same room together, period. The aggressive cat dominates the other totally; eating her food, using her box, drinking her water, and stalking her to the point of attacking her. The passive one will try to fight back a bit but she's just overpowered every time.

I've tried everything, like gradual introduction and all the other tricks the vet suggested. No go. And I'm not about to just "throw them together"; my second cat would be so stressed out she'd be sick all the time. It's not fair to her.

My solution is to have an East/West Germany type of situation. First cat gets the living room and kitchen, second gets my bedroom and bathroom. Never the twain shall meet. Both seem happy. It's a strain on me because I try to give them equal time and when I am with one the other will start to cry after a while. I have to alternate sleeping quarters, lol.

But it's manageable and I love them both. I have thought about a third but I've decided this is as much as I can handle for now! :)

As I said, if they're both adult cats, no matter the sex, they'll likely never fully get along. One always has to be a "baby" from my experience.


Great advice browneyes - especially trading towels with their smells on it. Remember, dogs really "see" with their noses so sniffing and getting used to the smell on a towel or something first would really help probably.
You can co-own a pet with me anytime! ;)

most of our animals all get along with one exception; we've got one cat that just doesnt get along with anyone else, most of the other animals have just learned to avoid her but sometimes when she pushes Glitchee too much he'll just haul off and smack her one then she leaves everyone alone for a couple of days.

...one thing is for sure don't tape them together - i KNOW that don't work.

most of our animals all get along with one exception; we've got one cat that just doesnt get along with anyone else, most of the other animals have just learned to avoid her but sometimes when she pushes Glitchee too much he'll just haul off and smack her one then she leaves everyone alone for a couple of days.

...one thing is for sure don't tape them together - i KNOW that don't work.


You too huh? I've got four males - two of which are BIG toms. I mean, we didn't call one Thunder for nothing. You can hear them when they run downstairs or wrestle - they sound like small children. I then have two more smaller males and the smallest of them all - my Himmy female. They are TERRIFIED of that beotch!!! :lol: We ALL are! She's nasty or skittish and only comes around when she's in heat - then she picks "cookie of the month" - the one male who she won't beat the living daylights out of that month! We all feel sorry for the guy who gets chosen because she's still unpredictable as can be. lol
Frankly, I would surrender her, but I know she'd never get adopted out and I feel responsible for her so I'm stuck. We've nicknamed her "The Consumer" cuz that's all she's good for around the place. :crazy: