Help with jealousy over new kitten

[michiain]

Hello everyone

I've had a look through some posts to see if there was anyone who has dealt with this before but couldn't find anything and need a bit of help.

Haku is 9 months old and about two weeks ago we got a new kitten. They live apart at the moment (Mr Miyagi - the kitten upstairs and Haku downstairs) and when we are home bring the kitten down to try and get them used to each other.

We kept Haku on the lead for the first few meets as we didn't know how he would react, he seems to want to play as he wags his tail but is too clumsy and the kitten is too small! Recently we've let him off the lead and kept his collar on and let them get close the kitten hisses and spits at him and Haku backs off and just barksand jumps about. We only bring him down for a couple of hours a night and just keep an eye on them as Haku likes to try and jump up on the sofa to see the kitten but were scared he will hurt the kitten.

Are we doing this the right way? Can anyone offer any more advice?

To make things worse the kitten has cat flu so has been feeling unwell and I don't think this has helped as he has been pretty poorly.

Haku hasn't been eating that much and seems a little moody with us. he also had a wee on his bed overnight a few nights ago and today I took him to the park and he ran out the park towards home and nearly got hit by a car as he stood in the middle of the road....this is really out of character for him but we don't know if this behaviour is to do with being jealous over the cat???

Thanks for your help in advance.

[wildmoor]

Dogs do not have the same emotions has humans.
Some of his behaviour maybe linked to change in routines, would it not be better to get a crate for the kitten so they can be in the same room when supervised without him accidently hurting the kitten.

[Tedsmum]

I really doubt it is anything to do with the cat. I would carry on introducing the cat in the same way as you have been. It is not good for the cat to become too stressed if it is ill so limited and supervised introductions are best.
You pup may well have acted up this week whatever has happened as they do go through phases of peculiar behaviour and sometimes forget everything they are told.
Go back to normal routines and see what happens. I am sure your pup thinks the kitten is an exciting new toy, not something to be resented.

[zetstaff]

I would agree

Also, if the kitten is not well the dog will see this as a weakness, + animals instinctively do not tolerate weakness/illness

I'd crate the kitten + go back to intros when it's not unwell

xxx

[zetstaff]

Sorry, that was supposed to be quoting Pam

I'm not having much luck on here tonight

[wildmoor]

Originally Posted by zetstaff

Sorry, that was supposed to be quoting Pam

I'm not having much luck on here tonight

[gloriab]

I would be interested for any help with this too.

Zennie is now 11 months - been with me just over 4 mnths (previously 5 homes and a very bad start in life - abused). Since he came, Lucky (male neutered cat) is living upstairs and won't come down

Zennie came the day after I lost best pal gsd Zymbre - Lucky and Zymbre were very close and slept/ate together. My previous gsd Zac kept Lucky alive when he came and they were extremely close. Found Lucky in street curled up on a sack in pooring rain, very emaciated and not fully concious - vet said he wouldn't survive the night... just keep him warm, give spoonful at a time mashed chicken hourly, and constant spoonfuls of water. Zac lay with him all night licking water and forcing into cat - also chewed chicken and forced it into cat. Lucky survived and is now around 10. Was quite something to watch !

Lost Zac when Lucky was around 2 and got Zymbre (8 weeks) – took a while but they became best friends when Zym started to grow up!

My cat is older, around 10 now (not sure cos rescued from street as a kitten). Zennie is much better – cat gets on bed and Zennie is now fine and not teasing cat, but whenever cat movs… the chase is on for Zennie. Cat just hides and won’t come out. Won't come downstairs at all - uses bedroom window over porch to come and go. I feel really sorry for him cos he always loved to curl up in front of fire and loved the company.

How do I stop this ???? Do cats go through a grieving process like we do?

[gloriab]

I would be interested for any help with this too.

Zennie is now 11 months - been with me just over 4 mnths (previously 5 homes and a very bad start in life - abused). Since he came, Lucky (male neutered cat) is living upstairs and won't come down

Zennie came the day after I lost best pal gsd Zymbre - Lucky and Zymbre were very close and slept/ate together. My previous gsd Zac kept Lucky alive when he came and they were extremely close. Found Lucky in street curled up on a sack in pooring rain, very emaciated and not fully concious - vet said he wouldn't survive the night... just keep him warm, give spoonful at a time mashed chicken hourly, and constant spoonfuls of water. Zac lay with him all night licking water and forcing into cat - also chewed chicken and forced it into cat. Lucky survived and is now around 10. Was quite something to watch !

Lost Zac when Lucky was around 2 and got Zymbre (8 weeks) – took a while but they became best friends when Zym started to grow up!

My cat is older, around 10 now (not sure cos rescued from street as a kitten). Zennie is much better – cat gets on bed and Zennie is now fine and not teasing cat, but whenever cat movs… the chase is on for Zennie. Cat just hides and won’t come out. Won't come downstairs at all - uses bedroom window over porch to come and go. I feel really sorry for him cos he always loved to curl up in front of fire and loved the company.

How do I stop this ???? Do cats go through a grieving process like we do?

[gloriab]

sorry - for some reason this has posted twice ???