To get a kitten (have 2 dogs)

10 replies

LeilaDarling · 23/12/2018 14:35

Looking for advice - have 2 very small dogs, one 13, the other 2.
Is it possible to introduce a kitten safely and happily all round or AIBU?
Any opinions/advice welcome.

OP posts:

ScreamingBadSanta · 23/12/2018 14:42

It depends on the dogs! I have both, but I've never introduced a kitten to resident dogs - I introduced a puppy to two resident cats; and then a new cat to the now adult dog and resident cat after the other cat was PTS.

My first thought is that an adult rescue cat which is used to dogs would be a better option than a kitten. A kitten is very vulnerable.

What are your dogs like around cats, at the moment - e.g. when out and about or in the garden?

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 23/12/2018 14:45

I think you’d be playing with fire. It could work. On the other hand an mn thread the other day I had to hide - the op about to have her dog pts for killing her kitten. It made me sick.

Wolfiefan · 23/12/2018 14:45

Blue Cross have some great info on this. We did it the other way round. Kittens are tiny. An older cat that’s used to dogs might be better.

minkies11 · 23/12/2018 14:46

Kitten is too risky whatever size of the dogs/dogs. IME it is better to have the cats first then introduce the dog. You'd really be putting the (lone) kitten at risk and could be too overwhelming for it. Don't think it would really be fair.

Original poster

LeilaDarling · 23/12/2018 14:53

Thank you all for your responses - think I will forget the idea, too risky.

OP posts:

minkies11 · 23/12/2018 14:59

Think you are right @LeilaDarling. Best to be safe. Can go so badly wrong and think that's the responsible decision :)

Squatternutbosh123 · 23/12/2018 15:10

I don't think it would be fair on the elderly dog really

SoupDragon · 23/12/2018 15:19

I agree with others - I wouldn't.

I've just introduced a pair of kittens to my dog who is 9 and it's all fine but he grew up with cats until we lost the last one this summer. He has barked at them a couple of times because they've tried to play with his tail but generally it's fine and I know it will be OK.

userschmoozer · 23/12/2018 15:29

Its not just the risk to the kitten; the reason I regretted introducing Dcat was that Ddog treated the cat litter tray as a snack bar

agnurse · 23/12/2018 15:45

If the dogs haven't ever been around a kitten I wouldn't. I do agree that you may like to get an older cat who has experience being around dogs.

Our Gatsby was around a dog (black Lab) when he was a tiny kitten, but the dog is used to being around cats and she didn't hurt him.

Flip