introducing my 2 new kittens to my dog

Question
how do i introduce my 2 new kittens to my 3 1/2 year old female german shepherd mix?

Answer
Rachel,

I am giving you a method we use for introducing cats or kittens to a household with an established pet:

Start out your new kittens in one room with a litter pan and water dish. Ideally, the one room should be a bedroom with yourself or another human resident. This accomplishes a couple of things. Your new kittens will not be overwhelmed by its new surroundings and get "lost", and thusly will have no problem finding the litter pan (often kittens or rescue cats have been confined and are somewhat daunted by wide open spaces!). You will feed the new kittens in this room and keep the established pet out. It allows the new kittens to bond with you or another human being and also build up some self assurance in their new surroundings since they will not have to compete for food or attention right away. Finally, it allows the new kittens and the established pet to sniff each other under the door and get familiar with each others' scents.

After 5-7 days of being in its one room, it is time to let them meet each other. Be prepared for some posturing, some spitting and hissing, and the like. IGNORE IT! After a while, they should begin getting along with each other and still have the occasional hiss or spit as they get accustomed to each other. Cats tend to make a whole lot of noise and even loosen up some fur. Rarely will the kittens hurt each the dog.

Once they are introduced, there are a couple of things you must remember. Do not separate them again, they will get along! Do not interfere in their "discussions" as they need to sort it out amongst themselves!

It does not hurt to give the established pet treats and extra attention after the new kittens are introduced (yes, dogs do get jealous!).

A couple of things you will have to do are to feed them on separate dishes, especially where the dog cannot get the kittens' food. Make sure the litter pan is somewhere the dog cannot get to.  Dogs look at cat poo as candy and may even interfere in the kittens' using the litter pan.  If this happens, the kittens will find other places to go!!!!!

All, in all, this method seems to have had great success in the past and makes for a fairly smooth introduction. Please remember that they may make up immediately, or it may take a few weeks.


Best regards.... Norm.