Expert: Christine Puetz - 9/9/2009

Question
Hi. I have a 14 week old female American Bulldog and 2 8 month old kittens (one male and one female). I was just wondering what is the best way to socialize them together. Whenever I have the three of them in the same room together they are always fighting and I'm afraid that the kittens will get hurt since my puppy is fairly large. Thanks.

Answer
Zofia,

Your bulldog is a puppy and will try to play with the kittens.  She does not know he is so much bigger and stronger.  

I don't think there is a safe way to socialize them at this age.  If anything, when you have them together, you need to be diligent to watch the kittens closely.  I would not leave them alone together.

Maybe you could hold your bulldog when the kittens are around so she can get use to the kittens.  Still it is going to be hard for her to understand that she needs to be gentle when she plays with them.

Christine Puetz