How to I introduce my new kitten to my dog?

Question

I recently got a stray kitten and eventually it started to like me. How do I introduce the kitten to my dog?

If it helps, it's a small dog, a chihuahua even!

Answer 1

The most important thing is to start slowly and allow the animals to be comfortable with each other. I would hold the kitten and allow the dog to sniff it while speaking soothingly to the kitten.  I have also been successful with taking the bedding of one animal and placing the other on it, thereby mixing their smells.

It is a very slow process and you always want to make sure that neither animal is too aggressive toward the other. Supervision is the key! Give it time, give lots of praise and love, and good luck!

Answer 2

Let the dog, and the cat sleep on seperate bedding and then switch after one or two nights, and then put the bedding in the room with the dog and vice versa. Then after a few days of this, start to introduce by opening the door slightly and letting them sniff one another.

It doesn't work all the time but hopefully it will this time! Has your dog had problems with cats before.

Well done for adopting a stray. Good luck and best wishes.