How do i introduce a new kitty to my year-old Jack Russel?

[i_been_jammin]

I want to adopt a kitten, but im a little concerned about the reaction of my year-old jack russel. At the moment, he is very weary of cats and chases them (as a lot of dogs are) although he is not vicious at all.

He's used to being the only 'baby' and getting all the attention, so how do I introduce a kitten to the family without upsetting him or the kitten?

 

[Holly]

ok well first start them out in different rooms slowly work them closer and closer when they are in the same room you should put each off them on a leash cause you never know if everything goes along good maybe leave the dog on a leash if it goes along goood leave the dog on a leash and the cat off if it dosent go along good just make the cat her or his own room that the dog never goes in

 

[brenda]

All sorts of ways... What I would do, is bring the kitten home. Leave the kitten sitting in the crate. Allow the dog to sniff and check out the new smell. Talk in a soothing voice, the whole time the dog is checking out the kitten. Slowly, introduce the kitten and dog. Allow the dog to sniff the kitten. (You may need to wrap the kitten in a towel in case it freaks out and tries to scratch you). You must teach your dog, that this cat is "off-limits" for chasing. I bet you, within a week (or a little more), your dog WILL accept the kitten. *Until you are absolutely sure the dog has accepted the kitten, do not leave them unattended. Enjoy!

 

[Mike]

Just try to keep them apart

 

[xoCircles]

Jack Russells don't do very good with cats.

 

[Feury's Mom]

http://www.bestfriends.org/theanimals/pdfs/dogs/introducingcatanddog.pdf

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=1+2137&aid=2926

Here are some sites that might help you.
When you 1st bring the kitten home, keep her in the cage and let the dog sniff her through the cage. She might hiss, she might not.
You will have to keep them separate for a while. Find a designated room for the cat, provide it with food/water litter box and toys. Let them sniff each other through the door. This way they can get familiar with eachother's scent.
Then, only slowly and ONLY supervised, allow then to interact with each other. Only a little time @ once. One hour today, tomorrow add another half and our, the next day 2 1/2...u get the picture.
Don't expect them to be BFFs right away...if ever even, but with time and patients it should work.

good luck! I used to have a jack russel when i was growing up. Hyper little thing <3

 

[just a thought]

I would reverse the before mentioned advice. I would put the dog in the crate. Otherwise he will just terrorize the kitten by yapping and jumping at the crate. Put the dog in there at night when you can supervise the activity and play with the kitten near the crate. Then put the kitten in a room with food/litter when you are not around. Then put the dog in a separate room so the kitten gets a feel for the house; then switch so the dog smells the kitten. Keep this up for at least a week. Slowly introduce them together. Good luck.