To be worried about my kitten

[Leapinglizz]

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!

[Cw122]

When I've brought a new cat home I've kept them to one smaller quiet room with their tray food water and scratcher in it then gradually let them explore a new room each day until they're confident in the house. I'd also be really slow in introducing your dog. We used a stairgate to keep our cat and dog separate initially and you need to remember a pug could accidentally kill an 8 week old kitten playing too hard. I'd introduce slowly with pug on lead and treat both animals when they're together until they get used to each other.

[Stripedbag101]

I asked if it was an impulse buy.

I didn’t suggest you let the dog chase him around. I said the kitten was probably scared and was smelling the dog. I suggested the kitten needed a separate space - the advice is a small room - I used an ensuite bathroom for the first day then allowed her to explore gradually. .

you said you had researched this but you didn’t say what you have done to separate the dog. I assumed you had done this which is why I said the smell might be the problem.

[Biscuitandacuppa]

Ive had several kittens in my lifetime and every single one has made a beeline for anywhere they can hide under. Once they are confident they aren’t going to be eaten they come out. That’s when the fun begins! I had one kitten get stuck in curtain tie back, another toppled the Xmas tree over and I can’t go to the loo in peace without either dd wanting something or a cat wants to sit on my knee!

[Leapinglizz]

it wasn’t the vet comment, it was the fact you said I got the kitten on a whim and just let my dog chase him around. None of these are the case.

[Leapinglizz]

suggesting I haven’t done my research and to do the right thing and re home him. I haven’t done anything wrong? He has everything he needs I just wanted to hear some experiences of meeting the other pets.

[Stripedbag101]

My vet was amazing - he specialises in cats.

kitten had an early eye infection which was easily sorted, he gave tips on socialising her and set out her vaccination schedule, gave advice on diet and insurance.

I’m not sure what research you think I should have done which would say it’s a bad idea to take an eight week old kitten to the vet for a check up???

all very odd

[Stripedbag101]

@Leapinglizz

Have you done YOUR research?

I simply said it’s a good idea to take a very young kitten to the vet?

why so angry?

[Leapinglizz]

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.

[Creepymanonagoatfarm]

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

[Leapinglizz]

Have you done YOUR research?

[Stripedbag101]

@Leapinglizz

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.

[CapMarvel]

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.

[Leapinglizz]

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

[Myshitisreal]

@Leapinglizz

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.

[ilovesooty]

Where did you get the kitten from?

[Feelinghothothottoohot]

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.

[Tierne]

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!

[Welshgirl10]

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 😂

[Leapinglizz]

Poor kitten 🙄

[Myshitisreal]

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

[Leapinglizz]

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.

[Stripedbag101]

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.

[29thMay1970]

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?

[Squirrelsnut]

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

[ItsSnowJokes]

@Leapinglizz

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!