Kittens and boxers.

[pmcmen1019]

Hi Everyone,

My Name is Perri and I have a 2 year old boxer boy named Bruno. We just adopted a little kitten. He is very young, about 5 weeks old but is very healthy. Bruno loves to chase cats and I was wondering if anyone had any tips about them interacting. I am afraid Bruno might hurt The little kitten without meaning to because he is so much bigger and stronger. We have had the 2 in the room together and I hold Bruno by his collar because he wants to chase and play with the kitten. I don't think he means any harm, just wants to play. The kitten doesn't really seem to be scared of him, though. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You,
Perri

 

[courtney323]

Hi perri -

Please make sure and post your Introduction (in the "Introductions" Forum). This is something required of all new members, and is stated in the Rules (in addition to the email you received upon registration)

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[EMWAZ]

Even though my boxers are used to cats when I brought my little kitten home about 5 weeks or so also, I kept her in a large dog crate with food water and a small litter box when we weren't home and at night. I was worried about stepping on her too, she did really well. I put a dirty t-shirt of mine, they say this helps the kitty get used to your smells, it worked very well.

The biggest thing I can suggest is make sure there is somewhere the kitty can go where the dog can't. Put the food and his box in that area, so he can be safe to eat and use the box. Supervised meetings with the kitty and your boxer just needs to learn the kitty is a family member.

Roxy is my kitty and you can see how well my doggies and kittys get along in my gallery if you interested. Just some suggestions and good luck..

 

[pmcmen1019]

Thanks!

Hi,

I saw your gallery. What a bunch of great pictures. We had a cat when I first got Bruno. He wasn't afraid of him but all Bruno did was bark and bark at him. The cat really wanted nothing to do with him. He ended up running away on us. He even swatted Bruno many times but my doggie can be stubborn at times. The swats didn't even really bother him. I want these two to get along so bad. When I take Bruno for walks and he sees cats he tries to chase them. I can keep the kitten in my sons room with the door closed when we are not home. We want the cat to be able to eventually have full roam of the house like Bruno does.

Perri

 

[arifanddebbi]

We had three cats when we got the girls. We just recently lost one to a blood clot. But anyway, I would definitely recommend watching them together. The girls jackhammer the cats when they get a chance. Not to be mean, but because they want to play. The one cat doesn't mind as much and will swing at them when she's had enough. The other one swings as soon as they come near so they pretty much stay away from him. He's a big ol meanie anyway.

Keep contact between them so that your boxer understands, but be careful because he may hurt the kitten by accident. He only wants to love her!!!

Good luck!

 

[pmcmen1019]

Some Progress!

Hi Debbie,

I have been interacting them through out the day, and I can tell Bruno wants to play. He even gave the kitten some kisses! He seems to want to jump on him real fast and that is what I have to watch out for. I just keep telling him "nice" and he seems to be catching on. It was small progress but progress just the same. If the kitten gets startled he just runs under the bed but he comes right back out. The good thing is that they both want to play. I just have to watch out for the size difference!

Perri

 

[Erin Chizmar]

How's everything going? We have a cat also, but Gunny and him are about the same age 2. They played together every night when they where younger. But one night Gunny yelped and I knew something was wrong, Kitty almost scratched his eye!!! So Kitty is now declawed, (He doesn't go outside). They still play together now, and Gunny is just so gentle with the cat, they really are funny. But good luck!! They should get used to each other, we have a new Boxer pup, the cat is just now getting used to her being around now too! He probably thinks " Oh, good Lord, not another one!!" Erin, Gunny, Tessie and Kitty

 

[pmcmen1019]

Things are great!

Hi Erin,

Things are really working out well! The two of them play together all of the time. They always want to be together and they both sleep on the bed with me. I always supervise their play, though. The Kitten will get on a chair to put himself up to the dogs level when they play. Bruno is always giving the kitten kisses and sometimes he gets pretty soaked! Thank you for asking.

Perri