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Help! My new kitten keeps hissing at my dog. How do I introduce them?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Our new kitten is hissing and growling at our well behaved, polite household dog. Dog is not cat aggressive. We have been keeping them separated, however introductions have resulted in our dog getting slightly frustrated that she can't meet the kitty (again not cat agressive) and our cat non-stop hissing and growling.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on August 25th, 2019

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!

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    Answered By Rebecca, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on June 28th, 2018

    Hi, thanks for using PetCoach. Be sure that the kitten has a place to get away from the dog if she wants to. Just continue to introduce them slowly and the kitten will get used to LIrril. Be sure that she doesn't get too rough with the kitten, sometimes young dogs may get over exuberant trying to play which can scare or possibly injury the kitten. Do not leave them together unsupervised for a while. Here's an article with some more tips. https://www.paws.org/library/cats/home-life/introducing-cat-to-dog/ https://www.americanhumane.org/fact-sheet/introducing-dogs-to-cats/

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