introducing cat to dog

[jaemison]

unfortunatly, i've been a horrible mom to miles davis. he's been through two moves already this year -- one in a car for two hours, and will be going through another one in a week in the transition of us moving out of state. i've also moved him into an apt where another cat lived -- and once he got used to that cat, my old roommate had to give her up. now, i'm staying with family until i can move into a house in a week. they've got a cat, two dogs. i've been mostly keeping him in my room because he doesnt really like dogs, but he and cat have met quite often, because when i move again .. owen, is coming too. and we'll be having mia, the very active year old pit bull. so we'll have two cats and a dog in my new place.

SO MUCH CHANGE! he's already a fur licker off-er, which the vet told me had something to do with allergies and gave him a cortizone shot and suggested keeping the carpets extra vacumned, but even doing all that, he never really stopped. he was doing that even before all this change happened, now he's doing it a little more -- i'm thinking some of it might be the litter, which is tidy cats and from reading another thread i'll be changing that to natural pine litter to see.

i want to make the next move stress free as possible and would really like some pointers on that. he's already met owen  { i caught them kissing, can cats be gay? }  but he hasnt met mia. and he's barely met the dogs here. one could care less, other wants to play, which is how mia's going to be. there was a slight encounter with #2 here in the dark the other day, which caused alot of hissing and yelling and when i turned the lights on miles was all halloween kitty { he is black,-- arched back, puffed tail. } and surrounding him was puffs of his fur, which was confusing in it's own right. so how can i make it easier for miles with the pit around? so far with him, cat to cat has been easy, but with dogs? he's already a little afraid of them.

please help!

[Suzanne Hetts, PhD]

I agree with Dr. Jim - I don't really understand the "players" in your question - who you need to introduce to who, etc.  However, as I understand it your cat is or will be around a pit bull that is not familiar with your cat.  This situation needs to be treated with EXTREME caution.  I don't know anything about the pit bull, its history or its experience with cats but allowing a cat around any dog without a proper, safe, supervised, step by step introduction is really risking the cat's safety.
Do not allow this unless the dog is tethered, muzzled or behind a barrier until a proper introduction has been accomplished.
Normal greeting behavior between friendly cats is for them to sniff noses.  So perhaps that is what you were describing as "kissing'.  It has nothing to do with sexual behavior.

[Jim Humphries, B.S., D.V.M.]

If you could summarize your question into one or two clear questions it will help our doctors give you a clear answer.