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How to introduce a new kitten to my dogs when one gets too excited?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

New kitten. I have 2 dogs. How can I introduce them? They seem fine when the kitten is in a cage but the sharpei gets too excited and then kitten starts hissing. Kitten been hiding so far. Comes out a bit but sharpei runs to t when it sees it

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on May 8th, 2017

Great question! I can give you a method for introducing them to each other: Introducing them should be done slowly. When you first bring your kitten home, 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 dogs' smell in the kitten's room, and a blanket with the kitten's smell in the dogs' room. I would also consider get a Feliway for your kitten and a DAP for your dogs. These are pheromone diffusers that help with anxiety and should also help ease the transition. Once all the pets seem relaxed with the current situation, swap rooms placing the kitten in the dogs' room and vice versa. You can do this switch several times over the course of the introductions. Once they are all comfortable with the smells of each other, it's time for them to meet face to face. I would introduce the dogs on a leash to the kitten while he is in a cat carrier or on the other side of a baby gate. Reward the dogs 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 he can escape from the dogs as needed, and don't allow the dogs to chase the kitten. I hope this helps!

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Other Answers

  • Image profile

    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on September 22nd, 2019

    Great question! Introducing them should be done slowly. When you first bring your kitten home, 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 dog'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. Cats are pretty easy to raise. Immediately discourage any play biting or aggression. Make sure Phoenix is up to date on her vaccines. Give her lots of love and attention. Feed her a high quality kitten food until she is 12 months of age, then feed her a high quality cat food. I hope this helps!

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on March 10th, 2017

    Great question! Introducing them should be done slowly. Start by keeping them in different rooms separated by a door. Feed them both treats under the door so they associate each other with a good smell. Put a blanket with the kitten's smell in the puppy's room, and a blanket with the puppy's smell in the kitten's room. After a couple of days, have them swap rooms. You can do this switch a couple of times before introducing them face to face. When it's time to introduce them face to face, have the puppy meet the kitten on a leash while the kitten is in a cat carrier or behind a baby gate. Praise them and give them treats when they interact appropriately. Once they seem comfortable with each other, you can remove the baby gate or cat carrier. Make sure the kitten has a cat tree she can use to get away from the puppy as needed, and don't allow the puppy to chase the kitten.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on October 17th, 2017

    Your animals are so adorable! This is a great question and I can give you a method for helping them to get along. Introducing them should be done slowly. For now,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 puppy's smell in the kitten's room, and a blanket with the kitten's smell in the puppy's room. I would also consider get a Feliway for your kitten and a DAP for your puppies. These are pheromone diffusers that help with anxiety and should also help ease the transition. Once all the pets seem relaxed with the current situation, swap rooms placing the kitten in the puppy's room and vice versa. You can do this switch several times over the course of the introductions. Once they are all comfortable with the smells of each other, it's time for them to meet face to face. I would introduce the puppies on a leash to the kitten while he is in a cat carrier or on the other side of a baby gate. Reward the puppies 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 he can escape from the puppies as needed, and don't allow the puppies to chase the kitten. I hope this helps!

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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