New Kitten/Old Dog Advice

[Avalux]

I'm considering adopting a kitten and I have a few questions that some of you cat savvy folks may be able to answer. My dog is a 6 y/o female who's never been around cats. She's got a good temperament although she is kinda spoiled and I worry she'll be jealous.

Here are my questions:

1. Male or female kitten?

2. Personality traits (kitten) to look for when visiting the Humane Society?

3. Best way to make the introduction with my dog?

4. If they hate each other initially, will it get better?

Thanks in advance!

[demnan]

1. My take:

1. It doesn't matter but males tend to be friendlier, I think.

2. Ask if they have a young kitten who they know was raised around dogs. Also get one that is compatible. Is your dog large and energetic? Small and couch potato? The energy levels should be somewhat compatible.

3. Get the kitten home and set up a safe room for him. Spend time at first with both separately. Gradually introduce them for short periods of time. Your female dog may show signs of mothering and that is good.

4. It's my observation that animals, like people, have likes and dislikes among themselves and it's hard to say things get really smooth if they start out bad. But most adversarial relationships I've seen are between two cats. Cats and dogs just tend to ignore each other if they don't like each other.

[Avalux]

3. Thanks

My dog is a 25 pound terrier mix and she is either sleeping or tearing around the house like it's an obstacle course. The "safe room" is a great idea, and I've been told by others to get a male. I hope iit will all work out and that they don't ignore each other; I'd like them to get along. Ellie is home all day by herself and a buddy would be great for her. :hi:

[SoCalDem]

2. I have always preferred female kittens

they do not spray, and have always stayed kitten-ish their whole lives..

The kitten will pick YOU... Just go with an open mind..

If you pick a young kitten, just make sure the claws are trimmed so the pooch doesn;t get a nose full..

Get a pet carrier, and leave the kitten in it after you bring it home.. let the pooch explore and sniff..(the carrier will give the kitten security)..

later, open the carrier and let the kitten some out and explore with the dog put in a different room.. the kitten will "find the dog" and they can sniff under the door..

make sure you "show" the kitten where the litter box is going to be..
you will need to feed the kitten in a safe place until it's old enough to fend off the dog.. and the dogf will inhale the cat food..

They will get along fine:)..just watch them and when you go anywhere (at first) secure the kitten in a bathroom (with food/litterbox/water) so the dog doesn;t bully the baby while you are gone..


edit.. The cat below in the picture bossed 3 labradors around.. she weight 8 lbs.. the "small" lab weighed 85 lbs.:)

[Avalux]

4. An open mind is good

maybe I shouldn't be too worried about male or female? Some people have told me males are friendlier while others have said they spray to get a female. I think I will just let it pick me.

My Ellie may be so excited she'll scare the kitten at first. Thanks for the pet carrier suggestion. :)

[SoCalDem]

5. If you get a male neutered BEFORE they spray

you should be ok..All my kitties are Lovies..male and female..

If your dog has ever had puppies, and the kitten is small, don't be surprised if the kitten is wet a lot..

Out mother Lab, Tasha, was always "washing" kittens..and when she could, she would carry them around too.. never harmed any of them

[Avalux]

6. Awwww

that's so sweet about your Tasha; Ellie has never been a mother but she might be motherly. I don't know because she was a stray - she may have been around cats before.
I plan on adopting from the humane society, so if I get a male, he'll either already be neutered or they'll do it when he's old enough. That's another question, I guess. What age would you recommend?

[SoCalDem]

7. Young is always better (as long as they can eat on their own)

BUT... spend a while in the Kitten room and one (or TWO) will choose you..

actually TWO kittens is not a bad idea.. It's not harder, and they will pretty much leave the dog alone and romp with each other...

Of course, we have LOTS..and actually said "What's 3 more?" when we could not find homes for all in a liiter I bottlefed..:)

[Avalux]

8. How many do you have?

Two may be a good idea. They won't "gang up" on Ellie will they? :evilgrin:

I plan on going to the humane society this afternoon so we'll see! Thanks so much SoCalDem! :hi:

[SoCalDem]

10. Nope.. they will snuggle together

littermates are always good..

I have 9.. (yeh..I know )..We had 3 until the ferals started breeding, and before I could catch them and neuter them, we ended uo with 6 more... (I rescued one from one litter...then I bottlefed from birth...9 (2 litters from the dumbest female ever)and found homes for 4.....and we ended up ..up to HERE in kitties.. but who would we part with??

[Gimel]

9. What sign is your dog?

An astrological match may help. Find a kitten with a compatible sign-match.


Edit:
(Oooops! Wrong message to respond to. I meant to respond to Sparosnare. )

[Avalux]

11. I wish I knew

Ellie was a stray - found tied to a post in front of a grocery store. She's so adorable; don't know why someone would do that. Her personality has changed considerably in the 5 years since I brought her home.

[sam sarrha]

12. dont make the dog jealous, he was there first...

[Avalux]

13. I won't

I love my dog dearly but worry about her being alone all day. I have a feeling she'll like the company. If done right, she should be fine. :hi:

[flvegan]

14. Take your dog with you

It can be somewhat stressful for her, but when I volunteered at our local humane society, folks did that all the time. Sure, you don't just let the dog loose in the room with the cat, but hold the kitten out for her to smell and see. If she goes after the kitten like Bush after a new Ranger, you'll know right off that a kitten might not be a great idea. Hoping she doesn't have a big small prey drive...

Also, when you bring the new kitten home, give your 6 y/o EXTRA attention, sans kitten. Make sure she knows she's still your girl.

Lastly, thanks for adopting and not buying your new companion!