Hello everyone! I'm new here. My name is Anna. I got myself into a bit difficult situation and hope someone can advise me.
2 months ago I decided to adopt a mother cat with a kitten. I also have a dog so I knew it wouldn't be easy but: a) I couldn't bear the thought of the cats ending up in a shelter (abandoned by the owner, given only temporary shelter by a neighbour), b) when mum cat was with her original owner (before she had the kitten) and I walked my dog, she would often approach us with curiosity. So I thought this would work because she's generally not scared of dogs and my dog is not difficult to keep under control and will not bother her.
I know that a mum cat can seriously hurt a dog when she feels she has to protect her kittens but the protectiveness should be less as the kittens grow. We managed to keep the cats and the dog separate for the 2 months but it's getting more and more difficult, with the kitten now being very active and both desperate to get out of their room and explore the rest of the house.
I wonder when it may be safe to introduce the mum cat to the dog. I'm worried mum can hurt the dog. The kitten is 8 weeks and eating mostly solids but still nursing a bit and mum is very affectionate towards her. Any advice would be much appreciated.
PS. Mum was sweet and gentle for the first month but then suddenly changed and attacked me w few times for no good reason. It wasn't to do with the kitten because she's always relaxed when we handle it. We spayed her around that time and the vet explained she was in heat, hence that sudden aggression. The op was 10 days ago and she's calmer now but I guess we should still wait before any introductions. Just how long?
Mother cat and a dog
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Grace56
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Re: Mother cat and a dog
Hi Anna, and welcome.
I've never had to do this myself, but here is a site that may help with introducing mum cat to your dog.
Someone with experience will no doubt give you more advice based on their own experience.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Best wishes,
Grace
http://www.woodgreen.org.uk/pet_advice/ ... ts_to_dogs
I've never had to do this myself, but here is a site that may help with introducing mum cat to your dog.
Someone with experience will no doubt give you more advice based on their own experience.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Best wishes,
Grace
http://www.woodgreen.org.uk/pet_advice/ ... ts_to_dogs
Re: Mother cat and a dog
Many thanks for the link, Grace. I will let you know. We'll probably put off the introductions for a couple more weeks (at least). The vet said we could try separating the mum and kitten for a week so she dries up and then she won't be so protective but I'd feel really bad about it. When we separated them for a day after the operation, the kitten was fine but the mum was very upset.
Re: Mother cat and a dog
An update on the cat - dog situation: Luna and Lily met by accident when my friend came in to feed the cats while I was away and husband was at work. My friend thought the dog was in a room downstairs and she let the cat out of her room. Lily (the cat) dashed to our bedroom, where she found Luna sleeping on the bed! The cat wanted to jump on the bed but was probably completely surprised. She just put her front paws on the bed and didn't move. A good sign that she didn't hiss, growl or anything. My friend grabbed the cat and closed the door. Since then we are slowly letting them get used to each other from the distance. Yesterday we were with Luna in the garden and Lily watched her from the roof, again no sign of aggression. I think we will soon let them meet in the house.
Re: Mother cat and a dog
I just thought I'll give an update in case someone is in a similar situation and looking for advice. The first time we put Lily and Luna in the same room, Lily (the cat) went straight for Luna so we decided to put the introductions off for a few more weeks. In the meantime per the vet's advice we separated the kitten from the mum completely for a couple of weeks to help the mum dry up (the kitten was about 3 months then).
Then we started putting the cat and the dog in the same room but for about a week they were on opposite sides of a clear glass screen. The first couple of times Lily jumped on the screen to attack Luna so to let her know it's a bad idea I made loud noise with a can full of coins, which helped. When she calmed down we gave them both some lovely treats. They didn't get those treats in other situations, only when they were calm and close to each other. We kept these sessions short, to maybe half an hour, and they were separated for the rest of the day. Then we continued the same procedure for another week but instead of a glass screen they were on each side of a baby gate. Lily still watched Luna as if getting ready to attack but she didn't so that was some progress and finally we let them meet without any barriers. The first time it went ok, then Lily attacked again, not very convincingly though. Now 3 weeks later she still attacks sometimes (especially when she thinks we are not looking) but stops when told off. We don't leave them in the same room without any supervision for now but I think they'll just get used to each other eventually.
Then we started putting the cat and the dog in the same room but for about a week they were on opposite sides of a clear glass screen. The first couple of times Lily jumped on the screen to attack Luna so to let her know it's a bad idea I made loud noise with a can full of coins, which helped. When she calmed down we gave them both some lovely treats. They didn't get those treats in other situations, only when they were calm and close to each other. We kept these sessions short, to maybe half an hour, and they were separated for the rest of the day. Then we continued the same procedure for another week but instead of a glass screen they were on each side of a baby gate. Lily still watched Luna as if getting ready to attack but she didn't so that was some progress and finally we let them meet without any barriers. The first time it went ok, then Lily attacked again, not very convincingly though. Now 3 weeks later she still attacks sometimes (especially when she thinks we are not looking) but stops when told off. We don't leave them in the same room without any supervision for now but I think they'll just get used to each other eventually.