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Old September 28th, 2004, 03:03 PM
sleepymama sleepymama is offline
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Bringing Kittens into a home with 2 dogs and a Cat

[FONT=Arial Narrow] Hello I was wondering if someone could answer a few questions that I have about bringing kittens into our home. We already have 2 dogs and a Cat living here, and arn't sure how to make the expierence for all of them a good one and not a bad one. Our dogs are 11 and 3 and our Cat is 1 the kittens are both female, as are all of our other pets, they are 5 weeks old. I would appreciate some help with how to introduce them, seeing as lately our cat has been a brat about things, she hisses, growls and claws at myself and my husband when we go near her after being around the kittens. Is this normal or should we worry? Thanks Sleepy
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Old September 28th, 2004, 03:22 PM
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GsdDiamond GsdDiamond is offline
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5 weeks is a bit young isn't it? They should be with their mom for another 2-3 weeks, at least.

Aside from that, I don't have cats, so any advice I could give would be a stab in the dark. The only thing I can think of is let them work things out themselves, but keep an eye on it. You're getting swatted at because the older cat is pissed, and you're an easy target. Think of it this way...better you getting swatted than the kittens being severely beaten.
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Old September 28th, 2004, 03:34 PM
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chico2 chico2 is offline
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Sleepymama,I have never been in your situation,but I agree with Diamond,5 weeks is much too young for kittens to be away from their mom,they learn from mama cat.But if you have to take them now,you will have too keep them seperated from the bigger animals until they are stronger.
I don't know about your female cat,she might adopt them,but you have to be really careful and introduce them gradually.
It can be a very scary situation for little kittens and ideally you should leave them with their mom until 8 weeks.
Just be really careful,it does not take much to hurt a tiny kitten,maybe you have a large carrier or crate you can keep them in and let the female cat sniff them out and I suppose even the dogs.
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Old September 28th, 2004, 09:24 PM
Lucky Rescue Lucky Rescue is offline
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Where are you getting 5 week old kittens? They are barely weaned at that age.

You will have to keep them completely separate from your adult cat and dogs. They are much too fragile at that age, and sometimes adult cats don't even recognize kittens of that age AS cats, and may very well harm them. Such tiny babies cannot work anything out, and must be protected.

Put them in a small room, like a bathroom, or a big box with warm bed. They will need frequent feedings of soft food and must be kept out of drafts.

Keep them away from your other animals until they are at least 8 weeks old.
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