Years ago we brought kittens into a house with a small dog. There were no problems.
Now, the original kitties went over the rainbow bridge long ago. As did Snowball, the puppy.
We have two dogs, nearing ten years old each. We introduced a new QI, Mieshka, to our home.
They are *NOT* getting along at ALL!
I am at a loss. We've had Mieshka now for about 6 weeks. She was young when we got her (five weeks) though she was weaned (she was the earliest to wean in the litter).
I tried to 'introduce' them early, by holding the kitten and then letting the dogs smell my hand, and vice-versa. Mieshka hisses and spits if she is anywhere NEAR them. Mind you, these are not big dogs. Cupcake is a ten year old Shi-Tsu, and Chica is an eight year old Bichon-Jack Russel mix.
I had read somewhere on the internet that the kitten should be acclimated to the dogs by 8 weeks old, or it would be more difficult. Well, difficult it will be, since Mieshka is well on her way to three months!
For now, Mieshka has the run of the house, while my poor puppies stay confined in the kitchen. When I get home, I try and spend time with the puppies, but the cat is definitely now the Queen.
Does anyone have any ideas as to how to stop the spitting, barking, scratching and other 'bad' behaviors? I am concerned mostly for Cupcake (shih-tsu eyes are so 'out there' for scratching!) and for Mieshka (DH says Chica had her by the neck one day when he tried to co-mingle them).
I would love to have all my QI's feel loved and safe.
Lisa in NJ