Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I previously owned a cat that I had since he was born. He was always a weird cat that would hide and run. I just adopted a kitten and he acts the same way but he is only a month and a half. He always wants to hide and doesn't play. I have 5 dogs and a cat that runs and hides is not a good idea. I want to give my kitten a chance but how long should I give him before I make the decision that he is just going to be a scaredy cat. Any advice would be greatly appritiated. Thanks.

When you recently got him, did you keep him separated for a few days to give him a chance to get used to the house or just set him in the middle of the living room and let him figure it out with the dogs? Sometimes that works, but the best is usually to give the new kitten/cat a few days to adjust by giving them a safe room (closed off with food/water/litter/toys) to get used to you and the new smells. Also, in the case with dogs, you can use a baby so they can look in, but he can get used to them and feel safe. Since he probably didn't come from an environment with several pets, this is very new and scared. Recommend you give him a couple weeks where you keep him separated and slowly integrate him into the house. A baby gate would be best if you have dogs only and no other cats. Otherwise, keep him shut in a room for about a week and then slowly integrate. After a few days of safety, one way is to put the dogs in a room for a short bit and let the kitten have full run of the house and look around and sniff around unthreatened. He is probably very scared right now -- and probably any kitten or cat you get will react the same way -- slowly integrate over a couple weeks.
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Tammy
Stanley and Pookey

Hi There,

This is going to take lots of time and patience. A six week old kitten shouldn't even be away from it's mom yet. Tammy gave some excellent advice that I recommend you take.

A cat isn't "strange" because he or she is afraid and runs and hides. Often these cats have a good reason for this behavior, such as abuse in the past or a feral background. I have a former feral here and she took years to become comfortable.

Good luck, and please let us know how things go.

Regards,
PHKitkat

Thank you for the advice. I keep the kitten, Elliot, in a large dog kennel. I am going to keep him in there for a month or so when I am not home. He has met all my dogs. He does sometimes hiss and bat at them when I am holding him. If I leave him on the floor he will hide. He is becoming much more active. Today I left one of my dogs in the house. The kitten is locked in the cage. I have a dog run and my dogs stay in there when I am not home. I am harness/leash training Elliot and I had him tied in the kitchen while I was making lunch so he could not hide and so I could observe him with the dogs. Mysituation may be more of a dog issue. Is there any advice orn how to get the kitten to not run from the dogs. I would rather him hiss and bat at my dogs then run. My cat that just passed away would kick any dogs butt but then my dogs would chase and try to "catch" neighbors cats. I feel worried, I just don't want something to happen. Thanks again.

My thoughts are to give it a little time. He is very new to the environment. I think it is a good idea to keep them separated when you are not home and to keep a close eye on the situation when you are -- don't leave them alone together. Patience should work for you -- but don't get discouraged if it takes a couple weeks or more. Also, if you can, give him a "safe" room. Can you put up a baby gate and give him a safe room for a while to get used to things when you and the dogs are all wandering around the house? Also, be sure to have quiet one-on-one time with him so he bonds with you and it isn't a constant frenzy with other animals (dogs) circling around you for your attention.
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Tammy
Stanley and Pookey

Elliot is doing great. 4 of my dogs could care less that there is a new pet in the house. The fifth dog is very curious. She will smell Elliot and follow him around. But Elliot is doing great with her. He doesn't run and if she gets too personnal then he will let her have it. I do not leave them alone when I am not in the house. I think that as he gets bigger Emma, my dog, will get less curious. Elliot now stays in his cage at night and has run of the house during the day. Thanks for your advice.