Please help - kitten won't stop chasing the dogs

[PaperDoves]

I'm sorry this is long. Any advice appreciated!

We got a kitten two weeks ago. He's now 11 weeks old. We have two big dogs. I wanted a kitten because it was impossible to find a rescue adult cat that was used to dogs, and having had puppies I know how much easier it is to socialise babies than it is older animals.

I spent so much time researching how to introduce a kitten to dogs. We've spent the last two weeks being painstakingly careful and slow in our introductions (it's honestly been one of the most stressful things I've done). We started by keeping them in separate rooms and after a few days swapping them around so they could get used to each other's smell. Then we had the kitten in a crate and the dogs on leads, lots of treats and praise, kept the sessions very short (to keep it positive, but also because the kitten did not at all appreciate being in the crate!). Eventually we moved on to having the dogs on short leads while the kitten was free. The dogs were so good and relaxed and everything was looking positive.

The next step was supposed to be having the dogs loose also, but keeping the leads on so we could pick them up if anything seemed tense. This is where it all went pear shaped. Kitten saw the dangling leads and chased them, then didn't like how close he ended up to the dog attached to the lead and puffed up and swatted his face. Both of my dogs went from being relaxed and cool with the kitten to thinking this cat is a holy terror who will murder them at the first opportunity. :(

The dogs now get up and leave when kitten gets close. I'm okay with this, but the kitten seems to think he's a big man who's chased them off and he puffs up, squares off and then actually does chase them down. The dogs run in fear. He doesn't seem scared of them at all and I feel so sorry for my poor dogs, whose lives have been, as far as they're concerned, completely ruined by this tiny, vicious menace. They're both so stressed, and I'm worried one of them will literally snap if the kitten won't stop.

I don't know what to do. Will this get better with time and patience? How do you teach a kitten to stop? I can't use a spray bottle or one of those air spray things because it will punish the dogs too, and I'm trying to reward them for being calm near the kitten.

I should add I'm not subjecting the dogs to the kitten all day. They're still separated for most of the day and only around each other for a half hour to an hour at a time. Both cat and dogs have safe rooms that the other can't access, so they're not just mushed together!

Any insight at all would be so helpful, thank you.

I have an update. Kitten has stopped chasing the dogs because they no longer run from him. Christmas day was a turning point for fearful dog - I think that was the day his curiosity overwhelmed his fear and after he had a good sniff, feel and taste of the kitten he decided he wasn't so scary.

Emo dog needed a few more days, but finally he got tired of being away from the family in his efforts to avoid the kitten and gave in.

All three animals are now coexisting happily in a state of mutual acceptance. They're not friends exactly (although fearful dog has given kitten kisses a couple of times, possibly because his face tastes like cat food), but they'll all occupy the same space and no one seems stressed anymore.

Since the dogs no longer run from him, kitten has instead resorted to hiding and pouncing when they walk by. He also likes to deliver face swipes from above if they walk by while he's on the bed or a table. The dogs have got so used to it they don't even seem to notice anymore, which is a bit boring for the kitten.

Photo of the three of them all enjoying a Sunday morning lie in. 🥰

Lovely update!

Aww, that's lovely!

Love this thread. Thanks for keeping us updated.

Also agree this thread should go in Classics. It's too sweet to be forgotten.

I agree! Classics it is!

This thread warned my heart. How are the gang, OP?

Hi @Fedupme! I'm pleased to report that all is well in the Doves household. Kitten is still menacing the dogs at every opportunity and just cannot keep his little mitts off of them if they walk by. No one is chasing anyone these days though and everyone is more or less relaxed (fearful dog still isn't a huge fan of face swipes but he tolerates them because I told him he has to).

Kitten completely dominates the household and has at a tender age already assumed the role of household god. I'm in awe of his ability to be completely relaxed and self-assured no matter what is happening -- what would that be like? I wish I could have some of that confidence!

Random pics of kitten below.

Pantalaimon (such an apt name) is still utterly enchanting. Thank you for the delightful photos OP. It’s good to hear all is well and that he is ruling the roost successfully.

I’ve loved reading this thread! Thank you for sharing the tiny fluffy overlord with us.

Ahh I love this thread. The latest pic with the dog looks like he’s been caught just about to pounce on him😂😂

That is a cat who knows he's in charge. Love the pic in the bowl.

I posted this on another thread but this is my favourite photo of him. He's such a little monkey. Or meerkat, as the case may be 🤣

Beautiful ‘meerkitten’!

And here he is just being handsome 😍

Awwwwwww

And he is so very, very good at being handsome!

Sooo cute OP!

Hi @PaperDoves, any updates on how the three of them are doing now? I absolutely adored this thread and would love to hear some more about how they’re getting on now. I do hope things are still going well 🙂

I loved this post
Especially the picture of the scared dog

Just re reading the OP and I also loved this thread. I hope it's all worked out!

I'd love an update on how all three are getting on.

I've always had BC, and whilst I don't now have cats as well, I used to. My last cat (died at 24 years old) had all the dogs well trained, to the extent that she never bothered grooming because she could get the dogs to do it for her. She wonder up to one having a snooze, lie down by its nose and then bat it awake until it aroused and licked her all over.

If the dogs aren't showing any signs of aggression, then I wouldn't worry too much - ensure they are separated if you are out of the house, otherwise just keep a weather-eye on them. They'll probably settle into a routine that lets them all live togther happily.

Oops and didn't notice it was an old thread!

Oh dear, I typed a rather long update and it was deleted trying to add photos!

I'm happy to report that nine months on everyone is still alive and also reasonably content. Kitten is obsessed with white dog and uninterested in black dog (that's how the cat refers to them, I suppose he couldn't be bothered to learn their names). He follows white dog around everywhere and white dog tries very hard to pretend he doesn't like the cat at all when we're around, but is often caught fraternising with the cat alone downstairs at night and giving him the occasional kiss on the lips.

Pictured (if I'm lucky): kitten and black dog cuddling on the sofa; kitten giving a little skippity pap to the dogs while they investigate a peanut butter jar; kitten being adorable in the dog toy basket (not to be confused with an actual dog toy).

(Yes, we now have far too many cardboard boxes lying around the house. My son has assembled them into various shapes and labeled them things like "Cat Hotel" and "Cat Ship" and "Cat Boat". Keeps him busy at least!)

What a handsome beast he had grown into!