How to go about introducing the dog?

[AintNobodyHereButUsChickens]

Two kittens came home on Tuesday and I've regularly been switching blankets between them and the dog so they can get used to each others scents. None of them seem bothered by smelling the other which makes me hopeful that things won't go too badly when they eventually meet! At the moment they all take turns spending time in the living room, dog is shut in the dining room when the kittens are in the living room. And when the kittens are shut away in the kitchen, the dog is in the living room so their scents are mingling quite a bit. The kittens will often nap in the dogs living room bed too which she doesn't seem to mind when it's her turn in the room.

I was just wondering the best way to go about actually introducing them? Obviously it won't be for a while yet, it's still VERY early days and I'm keen not to rush things. Any advice is greatly appreciated 😊

What breed of dog and how old is the dog? Its usally better to introduce them as soon as possible to lessen the anticipation for both, if you know what i mean. Just be in the same room with the kittens wrapped in a blanket. Make that normal for the dog. Then once this is excepted show the dog whats in the blanket. Hopefully you can get to a point where they are close and stroke both at the same time. Just make sure you give the dog loads of attention when the kittens are around so he/she wont get jealous. As the cats get older they will probably end up bossing the dog about . Also always keep the door open as an escape route incase any of them feel they need it. Good luck.

Depends on the dog. My super chilled out beagle was introduced straight away. I had a crate for the kitten so sleep/eat in so they were shy away for this. When we were about we did closely supervised 'free' time with them in the same room.

shut away

She's an 11yo Border Terrier, but really crap at it. She has zero prey drive, hates long/wet grass, bushes, any undergrowth of any kind, she won't walk through mud or puddles and she really begrudges being made to go out in the rain.

I'm a bit less worried about what she will do, more so what the kittens will do! They've accidentally seen each other through the French doors, dog didn't seem bothered at all but the kits hissed and slapped at the glass. They were raised with a dog that was far crazier and boisterous than ours 😅

I just let the dog in on a lead straight away, the same as our adult cats.

I know they're hugely popular but I don't agree with phases introductions and spending weeks swapping scents about - it just increases everyone's stress levels.

I'd at least have one of those tall 5/6ft cat towers with platforms, that the kittens can climb to if they are unsure of the dog etc.

Honestly I'm more worried for the dog. She doesn't seem too bothered but they all saw each other through the French doors and the kittens both hissed and bapped at her through the glass