How to introduce new kitty to corgi family

So I am going to have a brand new kitty to join my corgi nation. The kitty is a 12 weeks old Ragdoll and he is passive and mellow. He is tiny and soft, just like a doll.

However, my corgis have their character. Maggie is bossy and protective to her belonging, that include food, bone and me. Moe is a follower, but he only follow me. He just want to stay beside me. Markus is jealous guy, he want to play all the time and stay beside my feet. Sometime, Moe will fight with Markus for the right to sit beside me. Maggie will growl at Moe when I am holding her. All will growl at each other for treat.

I believe they are ok with cat as they used to stay in kennel with cat. And I am wondering how to safely introduce the kitty to the family. Any idea?

thanks

Vic

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Permalink Reply by Bev Levy on October 5, 2013 at 7:52am

I would have your dogs drag a leash in the house while introducing the kitten so you can more easily stop a chase. Put the dogs in a closed room at first and let the cat roam until he/she is comfortable. Then put the cat away while the dogs check out the same area. Then while holding the dog's leashes have them out at the same time. Make sure that you have control of the dogs for the first couple weeks. I do not allow chases! Also google Nothing In Life Is Free, it sounds like you have a few training issues to deal with. Growling at each other over you is really not acceptable behavior.

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Permalink Reply by Beth on October 5, 2013 at 6:26pm

When we brought home a kitten, we kept her in a safe room for about a week. When we did introduce the dogs, it was through the closed door first. We then introduced them through a baby gate, where they could see each other but were not expected to interact.

I sometimes would lock up the dogs and bring the kitten down to roam the main floor and get used to it.

After they were introduced, I did not leave the dogs alone with the cat til she put on some weight and size. Also, there is a baby gate in the hallway and she has a cat tree on the main floor, so if the dogs ever decide she is prey, she has a place to escape.

Take if very slowly. Most cats need a safe room from anywhere from a week to a few months til they get used to the smells of a new place.