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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be worried about my kitten

32 replies

Leapinglizz · 03/09/2022 19:14

So I have just brought home an 8 week old kitten and he has gone under the sofa and won’t come out (sorry if this sounds dumb but I’ve never had a cat). I also have a pug, is it because he is around? Can anybody give me any tips I don’t want to scare the poor guy to death!

OP posts:

LittleLadyCece · 03/09/2022 19:20

Don’t worry it’s completely normal especially for the first few weeks. The little thing is just adjusting to it’s new surroundings. It takes time for you both to get used to each other.

JudithHarper · 03/09/2022 19:23

Don't worry. The kitten will come out when they are good and ready.

At that point both you and the pug will become subserviant to the kitten.

ItsSnowJokes · 03/09/2022 19:25

It is totally normal. You need to just leave the kitten be and he will come out when ready. Don't force it. Keep him confined to one room with food and litter tray etc... and he will probably come out at night to eat etc...... leave them in that room for a couple of weeks and then they will soon get used to you and the dog. 8 weeks is still very young to be away from mum (cats are better to leave mum at 11-12 weeks) so poor thing will be very timid and scared.

Original poster

Leapinglizz · 03/09/2022 19:26

Oh I didn’t know! Should I get the pug away completely?

OP posts:

TowerRavenSeven · 03/09/2022 19:28

This happened to our cats every time we moved too. They all eventually came around.

Tierne · 03/09/2022 19:28

Totally normal. When introducing a dog to a cat (especially a kitten), you are meant to cage the dog so the kitten can have a good sniff and a poke while being in control of the situation

JustAnotherMadCatLady · 03/09/2022 19:29

Ideally, kittens should be with their mother until 12 weeks of age. Yes, it may be scared of the pug. Leave it where it is and hopefully it will come out from hiding later on

ItsSnowJokes · 03/09/2022 19:31

Leapinglizz · 03/09/2022 19:26

Oh I didn’t know! Should I get the pug away completely?

Without sounding rude have you done any research on getting a cat and how to introduce dogs and cats etc...... it sounds like you literally went out and bought a cat on a whim!

Squirrelsnut · 03/09/2022 19:32

I brought a rescue cat home last week; she refused to come out from under the bed until day 3. She's currently purring on my lap.
Give her time, it's normal

29thMay1970 · 03/09/2022 19:36

We have a 9 week old kitten plus 2 older cats and. Springer Spaniel. I bought a small dog cage and kitten goes in there for time away from the other animals. He was very timid at first but now is out all the time and very feisty with the others. They need their own space- can you find somewhere only kitten will go?

Stripedbag101 · 03/09/2022 19:47

I am a bit worried that you haven’t looked into this - was the kitten an impulse buy?

the kitten will be scared and will hide for a few days. She should be in a small space will a cosy bed/box to hide in, litter close buy and door and water (which should be be too close to the litter tray).

when I brought my kitten home it took her a few days to get used to her new home.

she probably is very scared of the pug - and all the smells of another animal in the home. Introduce them very gradually.

Original poster

Leapinglizz · 03/09/2022 19:50

Wasn’t an impulse thing no. I’ve had everything ready for a while. I have researched about how to introduce them etc I just wanted to hear if real life stories.

OP posts:

Myshitisreal · 03/09/2022 19:51

Poor kitten. Why have you not researched this? The cat protection league website has a plethora of resources. Get researching.

Original poster

Leapinglizz · 03/09/2022 19:53

Poor kitten 🙄

OP posts:

Welshgirl10 · 03/09/2022 19:54

We have a kitten with two dogs and another cat. He was kept in his own room for the first few days with us both spending time with him, and then gradually introduced him to the dogs. We kept the dogs on leads so they couldn't chase him and scare him! They are now the best of friends and the dogs and him play all the time! The other cat tolerates him 😂

Tierne · 03/09/2022 19:58

The most important thing of all is to make sure the kitten always has control: control to run away, to hide, to be alone. That's why any other animals (your pug) need to be contained. Ideally when introducing any animal to a new place, you start by confining it to a small space (a bedroom say) and gradually open up its environment piece by piece. You dont just release a tiny kitten into a living room and let your pug go cantering around trying to sniff it out!

Feelinghothothottoohot · 03/09/2022 20:06

We started off leaving the kittens in their carrier, they took hours of getting used to the sounds and smells before venturing out to get some food and water. Then they hid behind the sofa in their little house and on blankets until the children were in bed, we would sit very quietly and let them come out to us where I would gently handle them and let them sniff me.

9 months on and they rule the house, come in and out as they please and very confident.

I am surprised you were allowed to take the kitten so young. We waited until 13 weeks when mum had fully stopped feeding and didn't want anything to do with the kittens anymore. 8 weeks sounds very young especially for a lone cat.

ilovesooty · 03/09/2022 20:46

Where did you get the kitten from?

Myshitisreal · 04/09/2022 17:52

Leapinglizz · 03/09/2022 19:53

Poor kitten 🙄

Yes the poor kitten who is scared shitless and you with the dog, not having even thought whether you should introduce them or not. You haven't done any research about how to make the (too young) kitten feel safe and secure . You're not covering yourself in glory here at all.

Original poster

Leapinglizz · 04/09/2022 19:55

Currently sat on my knee purring away, yes, he came to me off his own back. I can’t be that bad

OP posts:

CapMarvel · 04/09/2022 19:59

8 weeks is too young for a start.

Secondly, of course the thing is scared. A new environment and a dog to boot. You need to research how to introduce kittens to new homes and animals, or else do the right thing and rehome the poor thing.

Stripedbag101 · 04/09/2022 20:58

Leapinglizz · 04/09/2022 19:55

Currently sat on my knee purring away, yes, he came to me off his own back. I can’t be that bad

You backed very defensive very quickly OP.

everyone said your kitten would come round - but had you done a bit of planning. And research you capsule have saved the poor kitten a lot of stress.

you say it wasn’t an impulse buy and you had researched. It really didn’t sound like it.

I am glad it worked out. I hope you have done your first vet visits by now - especially as the kitten is so young.

Original poster

Leapinglizz · 04/09/2022 21:29

Have you done YOUR research?

OP posts:

Creepymanonagoatfarm · 04/09/2022 21:32

CPL gave me a dkitten 8 weeks old. And we have 4 ddogs. Took dkitten a year to even begin a relationship with them!

Original poster

Leapinglizz · 04/09/2022 21:36

I have been introducing them occasionally throughout the day. Kitten has set himself up in the spare room and occasional goes into DD’s room, he has starting roaming around a bit more, eating and drinking very well. It’s not that I haven’t done my research, I guess I was just looking for experiences. I want what is best for him and would hate him to be scared. The pug doesn’t seem bothered at all by him and comes over and then walks away with disinterested. Kitten hissed and then quickly settled.

OP posts:

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