 |
|
|
 |
New Member
|
|
Apr 16, 2006, 07:52 PM
|
|
Hissing kittens
We have just added two twelve week old ragdoll kittens to our family. They are socialized and are fine with everyone except out 9 year old kelpie/cross.
She is okay with them but won't look directly at them as they hiss every time she is about. What can we do to help them bond with her.
|
|
 |
Ultra Member
|
|
Apr 16, 2006, 10:27 PM
|
|
As far as them bonding with your dog, it will just take time. Cats are territorial animals and any strange dog (or strange cat, for that matter) is considered a trespasser and a threat. The dog has a different scent which they will have to get used to. Luckily the cats are young, which means that they should be used to the dog within 1-2 weeks or less, but be prepared for it taking as long as 6 weeks in some cases.
The most important thing is to not force contact. Make sure the dog and cats have their own space. Since the dog is okay with them, you don't have to worry so much about the dog being overly excited or playing too roughly with them. But if that should ever happen, make sure the cats have an escape route and something high to climb on, to get away from the dog. A cat tree is ideal.
If you have a big room, such as a large kitchen or family room, you can try doing pleasurable activities with the cats while the dog is present but at a "safe" distance. Playing with the cats, grooming them if they like it, and feeding them treats are all good examples. The dog can get groomed, played with, or given treats in the cat's presence too. This will help the cats to associate the dog with pleasant things.
Be assured though, that even if you do absolutely nothing, the cats will definitely grow to tolerate and probably like the dog within a 6-week period. It just takes time and patience.
|
|
 |
Full Member
|
|
Apr 16, 2006, 11:33 PM
|
|
Hi!
There's one more thing I'd like to add to Chava's wonderful answer:
Cats are solitary animals, while dogs are by nature animals who like to live in "herds".
That's why, dogs will welcome a cat in their territory, but a cat, even a young kitten, has to adapt to the idea.
We had two female Beagles, and when they were 1 year old we got an 8 weeks kitten. The dogs adopted her on the spot, and were constantly trying to lick their fur, which she, (an appalling thing from her point of view) - she kept hissing for a while, but it didn't take much for her to sleep purring "attached" to their bellies.
Good Luck,
Millie
|
|
 |
New Member
|
|
Apr 17, 2006, 05:14 AM
|
|
Thanks for the replies. I'm feeling a bit more optimistic. Already one of them is getting more relaxed around her. (only the occasional hiss now) The other boy is going to be the hard one but I'll be patient.
|
|
 |
Ultra Member
|
|
Apr 17, 2006, 05:14 AM
|
|
Hi, ragdolls,
You have received two very good answers.
I would just like to re-emphasize about not doing anything, to force them to get together.
Once the kittens are comfortable with the dog, they will probably be playmates!
A friend has two dogs, and 5 cats. All became friends within about 5 weeks.
Best of luck.
|
|
Question Tools |
Search this Question |
|
|
Add your answer here.
Check out some similar questions!
Kittens due
[ 3 Answers ]
My year old cat is due to have her kittens any day now, I was wondering if any one could tell me what signs to look out for
Hissing!
[ 2 Answers ]
One of my cats has been very calm and easy going for the first two years of his life and now, all of a sudden, he has started to hiss at us. It seemed to start as a game he was playing. We would be walking and he would jump in front of us and hiss. Now he has started hissing all the time. When we...
Hissing toilet
[ 4 Answers ]
Well, I am sure there is an easy fix for this but before I went and started replacing parts, I wanted to see if anyone had any thoughts. I hear a hissing noise coming from my toilet. I am about 99% sure it is coming from my tank area. My thought is it is coming from the float area. Maybe, the seal...
Hissing shy kittens
[ 2 Answers ]
Dear list
Last week my fiancé and I adopted 6 month old sisters. We kept them in a separate room and visited them several times per day. Despite their cowering, hissing and growling we sat/layed on the floor, spoke softly and pet them. Some progress was made and they seem a little more...
Hissing cat!
[ 1 Answers ]
Hi I posted the thread on here titled 2 cats, this is an update to that thread.
The mother cat is still hissing at her 6 month old female offspring, though it is now more frequent and aggressive, she refuses to let sachi(kitten) near her, she just displays her fangs and hisses really loud or just...
View more questions
Search
|