My kitten hisses at my dog. What are the next steps for introductions?

It does take time. I can give you a method that has worked for me, but know hissing and growling is ok. It's her way of letting the dog know she isn't comfortable. Aggression is not ok (hitting and biting), but the behavior is ok. I would keep them in rooms separated by a door. This way, they can get used to the smells and sounds of each other without contact. Make sure your kitten has a litter box, food, and water in their room. You can also place a blanket with the dog's smell in the kitten's room, and a blanket with the kitten's smell in the odg's room. I would also consider get a Feliway for your kitten and a DAP for your dog. These are pheromone diffusers that help with anxiety and should also help ease the transition. Once both pets seem relaxed with the current situation, swap rooms placing the kitten in the dog's room and vice versa. You can do this switch several times over the course of the introductions. Once they are both comfortable with the smells of each other, it's time for them to meet face to face. I would introduce the dog on a leash to the kitten while she is in a cat carrier or on the other side of a baby gate. Reward the dog for being calm and quiet near the kitten. Once they seem comfortable with each other, the baby gate can be taken away. Make sure your kitten has a cat tree where she can escape from the dog as needed, and don't allow the dog to chase the kitten. I hope this helps!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I would allow the cats to safely sniff and see the puppy through a baby gate for 2 weeks. Then when you let them interact the puppy should be on a leash 100% of the time so you can control him. The cats should have a safe place (cat tree, a room with a cat door only then can fit through) to be able to escape from the puppy. If the puppy shows any form of aggression towards the cats he should never be allowed to be alone with the cats and off a leash in the house. That means he is crated when you are not home. Hopefully since Moose is young the will be easy to teach and the cats will put him in his place! Good luck!

Hi and thanks for your post on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach this morning! I would start them out by introducing them both separately behind a closed door and having them eat on each side of the door. Do this several times. This way, they can associate the smells of each other with something great- meal time! After that has been done, I would introduce them in a enclosed safe area where they can be watched and monitored. Associate the introduction with a meal or play time. I hope this helps and best to you and Brandy!

Since they are both young they may adjust pretty well. I would recommend putting Lilly in a carrier and letting your kitten sniff the carrier. I would not confine the kitten since she may not do as well with that as the puppy will. I would also recommend swapping out beds and bowls to help them get used to each other. Let them sniff at each other from under the doors is great also. It may take time for them to be completely adjusted. Give them both time. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

You can try acclimating him to one dog or cat at a time. Do this on "neutral" ground and begin with very short periods of time. Once he is fine with sight and smell, physically introduce them under strict supervision. Choose a new pet when he accepts one and begin the gradual process again. Praise and reward him as he progresses. be patient and be consistent.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I think you should be able to introduce Velvet to her now as long as it is supervised. What I recommend is to do it for short amounts of time initially and increase the length slowly to have them be with each other permanently over a period of perhaps 1 month. It is best to always supervise them at least at the beginning. Good luck!

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Daisy. Oh my goodness, they are absolutely adorable!!! I would slowly introduce them to each other. Take the kitten, and put her in her own room with her own food, water, and litter box. Keep the door closed, and for a few days, feed them both treats on other side of door so they associate each other's smell with a good experience. Then let the other cat in the kitten's room while the kitten is in a cat carrier. They can smell each other, but not be in contact. If either becomes upset or show signs of aggression, remove the second cat from the room, and try again later. Praise them when they interact appropriately. When they are interacting well with each other through the carrier, you can let the kitten out of her room, and see how she interacts with the other cat. Praise them when they interact appropriately, and separate them with any sign of aggression or upset. I would get a cat tree with lots of shelves to give the cats vertical space to get away from each other. I would keep the kitten in her room when you go out until they are comfortable with each other. I hope this helps!