Help with new kitty(Bullymom)

    • Gold Top Dog

    Help with new kitty(Bullymom)

     O.k. I bought the new kitten home yesterday.  He was a little scared but nothing major.  Today is a new story.  He managed to squeeze behind Madison's dresser and he will not come out.  I am scared to move the dresser for fear of hurting him.  Oh, he is also deathly terrified of our dogs.  How can I introduce him to the dogs without him tearing my flesh off?  Any advice on helping this kitty adjust will be very helpful!

    • Gold Top Dog

    Put him in a room by himself with all of the 'amenities' and close the door.  Leave him in there for four or five days.  He can get adjusted to smelling/hearing everyone without actually being forced into the middle of things too quickly.  Your dogs can also get a chance to smell him and get used to his scent being around before a real meeting occurs.  You and Maddy can go in on occasion and spend time with him, but let him come to you.  Maybe give him a couple of treats.  When you do let him out make sure everything is controlled and (semi) quiet, and on kitty's terms. 

     

    • Gold Top Dog

    Yeah I'd just let him be and come out on his own terms.  Anytime I've moved or introduced a new animal (which has happened a dozen times between the two), all of my cats take days to adjust.

     

    • Gold Top Dog

    I agree, just make sure the kitty has food, water and a cat box available within a close vicinity to where he is hiding and let him come out on his own time.  If you crate your dogs at night or when you are gone, this will also give him more time to roam without fear.  Mine have moved half a dozen times over the last 10 years and it always takes them a couple days to adjust.  Cats are so different than dogs really.  They just don't adapt as well.  I was thinking that today when I took them to the vet and one was drooling like crazy b/c she was so stressed.  Even my high strung dog doesn't do that.

    ETA: It has only been a day but you might also try a toy like a feather on a string or something like that.  Close the door so the dogs don't interfere at first until kitty gains some confidence.  That might entice it to come out faster or at least long enough for some bonding.

    • Gold Top Dog

    When I bring foster kittens home, I keep them in a room, totally seperate from my cats and Casey. It usually takes about a week before I feel comfortable letting the kitten(s) out. This also allows me to watch for incubating diseases. The kitten will adjust to your dogs, he just needs time- don't force it! They'll be best friends before you know it.

    • Gold Top Dog

    Well, He came out last night.  I opened a can of food and he came out, growling at me when I was putting the food in his bowl!  He thinks he's 10 feet tall!  I put the dogs outside and he came right out of Madison's room(where he's been staying) and he thinks he owns he house!  He chases the other cats and he'll wrap around your legs if you walk past him.  He's fine with the other cats and he roams the house but if he even hears the dogs bark, he freaks.  He will growl, hiss, and claw anything.  He loves Madison to death!  I have his food and litter box in her room  and that's where he sleeps at night, in her bed!  I just hope he can adjust to living with the dogs.  Rocky is the calmest so when I do introduce him to the dogs, should I just let him meet Rocky at first and gradually work the other dogs into the picture?

    • Gold Top Dog

    I don't like to 'introduce' cats to the dogs. I prefer to give the cat/kitten their own safe area, blocked with a baby gate, and let them investigate on their own terms. I think, in most cases, forcing a cat to be introduced to a dog just frightens them and prolongs things.