Dogs have been known to adopt an abandoned or orphaned kitten. This is an instinct that female dogs have because of their maternal nature. They do this so the kitten will survive. The dam, or the dog mother, will welcome the kitten into her litter and feed it as her own. Sometimes non-lactating dogs will begin lactating if they find a kitten without a mother. The dog mother protects and cleans the kitten and treats it as her own until the kitten can survive independently.

However, if you have a lone kitten and a new mother to puppies, the pair might not necessarily take. Dams have instincts to know which puppies in her litter will survive and while as humans we can provide resources for all her puppies to survive, she may not see it that way. If your dog has a large litter and can’t provide enough milk for her puppies, she might reject a kitten to protect her own. Also, if a kitten and dam are introduced when a kitten no longer needs a mother for food and protection, it is less likely they will pair because survival is not reliant on a mother anymore.

This is not to say that it won’t happen or that only new mothers adopt kittens. If you’ve introduced a kitten into a household with an older dog, a friendship and caring relationship can occur. Dogs will make friends with a kitten because they are social animals and would rather have company than be alone. Once they have established that bond, the dog will take care of the kitten as part of its pack.

Taking care of other species’ young is not exclusive to dogs and cats. The instinct to protect their young is maternal, but the desire for companionship can come from any animal. This expands their pack and adds a resource, like extra protection or hunting skills.