Even if a resident dog doesn't get terribly excited at the sight of a new kitten, great care should still be taken at first introductions. Over-exuberant play can harm a kitten, so mutual respect needs to be encouraged and the benefits of sociability and friendship discovered.

Successfully introducing a new cat into your household largely depends on creating a controlled and safe environment. And if you already have a resident dog, the two can often make great friends with each other. If you are unsure or inexperienced, ask your vet for advice, he or she may refer you to a local behaviourist to offer individually tailored help that takes into account your home geography and family life and the size, type and nature of the individual pets that you are introducing to each other.

However, there are a number of steps that you can take to ensure the relationship develops as smoothly as possible.

• Keep your dog on a lead, and perhaps a headcollar such as a Gentle Leader too so that you can manage any excitement when he first sees the new cat/kitten. Make sure your new cat/kitten is safely housed in an indoor pen for initial introductions until both pets are relaxed at introductions. Then progress to allowing the cat free run of the room, with the dog on a leash. Stay calm, encourage calm tolerance and friendly investigations, and repeat introductions in as many rooms as possible on a regular basis
• Supervise cats and dogs until you know they will get along. Some adult dogs try to carry kittens around and some will accept this attention, but it is wiser to prevent this.
• If you have more than one dog, it’s best to introduce your cat to one dog at a time so that each dog understands your cat is part of the family, not an object of play or prey.
• Make sure your dog does not have access to your cat's litter box. Sooner or later, the dog may attempt to eat its contents!
• Separate cats and dogs at mealtimes so both can eat in comfort. Don't leave food or scraps where a cat can get them. Not only will your cat jump on the table or counter or spill the wastebasket, but she may drop things on the floor for the dog.
• Make sure your cat gets plenty of opportunity to stalk and pounce on things other than the dog's tail!
  

The most important consideration is safety: your own safety, the safety of your pets and the safety of others. Seek professional advice at the first sign of any type of aggression in your dog, and, in the meantime, keep close control of him/her and do not take any risks.

The information contained in this article is not a substitute for individual veterinary or behavioural advice and is for information purposes only. You should always consult a veterinary surgeon if you have any concerns about your pet’s health. He or she will be able to take a complete medical history and physically examine your pet, to then recommend appropriate individual advice or treatment options. For detailed behavioural advice tailored specifically for your pet, we recommend that you contact a qualified pet behaviourist. For further details of local canine and feline behaviourists practising in your area and how they offer help for with problem pets, please contact The Coape Association of Pet Behaviourists and Trainers at www.capbt.org, or the Association of Pet Dog Trainers at www.apdt.co.uk. Do bear in mind that while dog trainers can take you on as a client directly, pet behaviourists will always require a referral from your veterinary surgeon