How Should I Introduce My Dog To My New Kitten?

Q: How do I introduce my new kitten to my dog that has never been around cats?Q: How do I introduce my new kitten to my dog that has never been around cats?

A: The best way to introduce your kitten to your dog is slowly! This is something that can take a while, perhaps even a few weeks until they become acclimated to one another. Before you bring your new kitten into the home, work a little on your dog's obedience. Make sure that your dog will obey basic commands and will feel comfortable on a leash so that you can control him or her. When you first bring your kitten home, make sure that its nails are cut short. When cats feel threatened they may scratch and injure either you or your dog. In the beginning, try leaving your cat in a carrier that your dog can examine and smell without having direct access to the cat. This will allow the dog to become familiar to your new kitty. The next step can be placing your cat in a separate room from the dog. This will allow the kitten to get used to its new surroundings and the smells and sounds of a dog. Finally, in the beginning, it is important to make sure that all interactions between the cat and dogs are supervised. You can keep your dog on the leash until you feel confident that your dog will not harm the cat. Most dogs and cats do eventually learn to get along or at least tolerate one another!