can i ask advice on getting another cat?

[poohtown]

we are thinking of getting another cat so my older cat has a companion. We also have two dogs but they pretty much stick together and alienate my cat. So what I'm trying to decide is should we get another older cat or a kitten. I'm feeling the older cat would be more threatening to my cat now and they might not get along. My husband feels the kitten would be a bigger threat. Anyone add a cat to their household that could give me their thoughts?

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

It really depends on the personality of the cat in residence. There are plenty of older cats and kittens who need good homes. IMO, you should get a kitten, because they are less set in their ways and more adaptable to new situations with older cats. The resident cat might also not view the kitten as much of a threat (which she might do if you get an older cat). Whatever you do, talk to your local humane society or rescue groups and find out what kind of cats/kittens they have available,a ges, genders, whether they are fixed or not and personalities that way you can find the one best suited for your lifestyle and the personality of your resident cat.

TOV

 

[poohtown]

Originally posted by TheOtherVillainess
Whatever you do, talk to your local humane society or rescue groups and find out what kind of cats/kittens they have available,a ges, genders, whether they are fixed or not and personalities that way you can find the one best suited for your lifestyle and the personality of your resident cat.

TOV

thanks - that's the only way I'll put an animal into my house. I found all my adopted animals have better personalities than those with the purebreds. (just my feeling maybe - don't want to offend those with purebreds)

"I'm just a Walmart-lovin', coupon- cuttin', mixed-mutt kinda gal"

 

[Virgo10]

It doesn't really seem to matter to cats whether the new one is old or young. I've introduced 16 cats here and found that, regardless of age, it takes several weeks for them to get use to each other.

It amazes me how little cats use their eyes for identification. It seems to be a smell thing and even cats that came from the same litter (we have sister Siamese cats) still want to smell each other to be absolutely sure.

Females seem to get along well with other females. Females also seem to get along well with males. Two males could be a problem though. Not so much with fighting but with a dominance thing which can lead to them marking their territory.

Please think about getting an older cat. In a shelter they have little to no hope as everyone wants a kitten. Of the six shelter cats I have, only one was a kitten when we got him and he's blind. Yup, he's my handicat.

I wrote this poem for all the older cats out there that are so desperately seeking a loving home:

I'm not so young or fair of face.
And there'll be times I want my space.
I might sleep more then be awake
But give me time... your heart I'll take.


I'm an older cat, my ways are set.
And you may wonder what you'll get.
But I'm calm and wise and you might find
That I can give you peace of mind.


I might be passive - not want to play
But before you know they'll come a day
When you're sad or down, I'll take my nap
And you'll find love sleeping on your lap.


I watch the youngsters leave their cage.
Their lives are new... an empty page.
But an older cat can teach you much.
And all I ask is a gentle touch.

Best of luck with your new kitty!

Roberta

 

[Microcell]

My cat is a year older than the other, and we got the second for her as a kitten. Her mom had died and so she was bottle fed, which made her stink-hence the name Stinky (DH hates that). Anyway Mittens is a neat freak so she immediately started cleaning Stinky, which she still does 7 years later. They don't fight often but that first night Mittens was very nervous! She reacted worse to the kids coming home. Now she tolerates them too!

 

[DCLuvinit]

Growing up we had 2 kittens that we got several weeks apart. At first, they fought constantly, but then we all lived through it and they became the best of friends. They used to cuddle together when they slept, it was so cute.

Now DH and I have 2 dogs and cat, all from the Humane Society shelter. I wish we had a big enough house to adopt lots more! Someday hopefully

 

[katerkat]

Good luck! I definitely recommend getting a second kitty - my boys love each other. I'm not sure there's a "right" way, though. My Wedge I got as a kitten, then adopted Tycho as an adult six months later. (So Wedge wasn't quite full grown at that point.) My parents' cat got a kitten when he was almost full grown, and Oscar adapted fairly well to the new addition. Now that kitten is with my sister, who got her fiance two kittens, and Janey is doing an OK job adapting. (She doesn't really like other cats.)

I think the trick is in the introduction, not the age. Wedge and Tycho got to know each other smells under a door for a month (Tycho had health issues I didn't want spreading), so when they met face-to-face, they knew each other already. Oscar and Janey were just tossed together, so the adapting took longer. Janey met the kittens on weekends, so she could adapt slowly, which was good for her.

Oh, I forgot, the other adult-adult cat mix. My little sister's cat and Tycho do NOT get along well when they stay at Grammy's house together. All the other boys (Oscar, Wedge and Bribs) get along, but there's just something between Tycho and Bribs that we never figured out. Helpful, aren't I?

 

[FroggyinArk]

well, some times, the older cat is just absolutely non social, case in point the cat we rent space from, ( at 3 cans a day too , the lil loan shark) she has been trying to scare the newest cat (my buddy ) ( hes a long haired persian, and is almost a year old now shes 7) every since we started letting him hang out indoors after my wrweck, so i could have a buddy at home with me every day,, coco( old wench cat) doesnt cuddle anymore, shadow is a lap cat,

so best of luck,

 

[Laura]

I'm so glad this thread is here! I have an adult cat and I'd like to get a "buddy" eventually. I'd like to get another adult, but if they're gonna fight all the time it would be awful.

 

[Aurora63]

As others have said, it depends on your cats personality.

We had to leave my kitty, Honey, with my parents for awhile while we settled in with our move. They already have three other cats. My cat is very mellow most of the time. Of their three cats, Sneaker is also very mellow, so when they see each other, they usually just sniff noses and move on. Mama loves people but hates other cats, so whenever one comes near, she just growls. She spends much of her time on laps or in quiet corners.

The third cat is Spike. He is quirky, but often a pain. He likes to chase Mama. He takes a bite of his food out of the bowl with his paw first, eats it, and then eats the rest like a regular cat. He is terrified of new people, but will warm up after awhile...once he warms up, he's head-butting you!

When Honey came, Spike tried chasing her a bit, but she quickly put and end to that. She chased him back! So now Spike seems to be scared of her and keeps his distance. But they don't fight, thank goodness.

Okay, off topic a bit! Sorry. I'd try for a mellow adult cat, if you can find one! Good luck!