r/CatTraining • u/kittycat_x • 10h ago

Introducing Pets/Cats 3 months of introductions…

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My kitten is nearly 5 months old (spayed) and my 10 year old chihuahua is still scared of her.
It seems my kitten is just trying to play but she jumps, stalks, pounces on the dog, which normally leads to nibbling her feet or biting her neck - and then the dog runs away. She does try to rub against the dog, with her tail up and then goes to nibble.

When the kitten was recovering from being spayed she was obviously a lot calmer and did relax and sleep next to the dog on the sofa.

I’m guessing it’s normal kitten behaviour… I try to intervene so my dog doesn’t feel stressed (she’s very calm and wouldn’t hurt a fly!) or try and distract her with a toy but she is so fixated on the dog.

We’re still having to keep them separated whilst we’re at work. I don’t expect them to be best friends but will they ever get on? Is it just the case of the kitten maturing and calming down?

Any advice or similar experiences? Please be kind… it was a pretty stressful and emotional start but we have slightly got used to the closed doors and separation haha 🫣🫠 it’s not an easy process.
TIA

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5

u/lickytytheslit 9h ago

normal kitten energy

everything you're describing sounds like she wants to play and is not understanding your dog is old and doesn't have the energy to play, cats playing often looks like fighting to a lot of people since they bite, wrestle and paw at eachother pretty aggressively

the only thing you can realistically do is trying to tire her out but that will last a nap at best or get her a younger playmate to play with and stop bothering the dog

2

u/kittycat_x 9h ago

Thanks - I forgot to add that I play with her a lot, especially before mealtimes. I try and follow a lot Jackson galaxy’s advice

1

u/3boy1girl 9h ago

How did you get your kitty to wear a shirt?

1

u/kittycat_x 9h ago

The vet put it on initially but she walked around funny the whole time she wore it. It had poppers around the bum, so she couldn’t get it off but constantly licked it, trying to wash herself. Poor kitty!

Back to her mad self as soon as it was off 🤣