Getting a new kitten...any advice?

[kamik86]

I disagree about getting 2 cats. We've had 6 cats over the last 35 years and twice we got 2 at the same time and they never got along. First time it was a boy and a girl, both fixed. Second time two fixed females. And my wife's best friend is beside herself with 2 cars, one is the downstairs cat and the other the upstairs cat, both fixed females and about twice a year she ended up with at least one at the vet for treatment of fight injures. While sometimes cats will get along, I think those cats are in the minority.
Our last cat is the only one who ever got wet food, and that was because she was allergic to all poultry and could only eat fish.
But the reality with cats is, they are so unpredictable in their preferences, not sure anyone of us can give concrete advice.

The best way to get two is to get litter mates. My two girls (Mickey is no longer with us unfortunately ) were litter mates that we got when we were only planning to get one... but they were soo cute together and very dependent on each other.

They are now much more independent since the more timid one has gotten a bit bolder. They get in little scuffles but never anything that causes cat fur to go flying and definitely nothing to cause a vet visit. Most of the time its just hitting each other with paws, a bit of wrestling, or a hiss or two.

 

[kamik86]

I agree with the poster(s) who suggested 2 cats. I had one for almost 20 years, and when she passed away we got 2 kittens. I love having 2 and feel a bit guilty that I deprived my other cat of the companionship now that I see these two together. We go with the more expensive food too -- they were shelter kitties who had terrible starts in life and I figure they need all the help they can get to have a long, healthy life. On the other hand, my first cat lived to 20 on grocery store Friskies. We go cheap on litter, believe it or not -- we use horse stall bedding. Those pine pellets are great! There's no smell and they're easy to dump out. You can buy the expensive "real" cat litter pine pellets for something like $10 for 10 pounds or the horse bedding which is $6 for 40 pounds, and it's the exact same thing. Don't worry too much about toys. I have one cat sitting in a box at the moment and the other one chasing a thick string (the paracord from the craft store is great!).

My cats have this few of the world:

If they see something new they taste it. If its edible and yummy it must be food.
If it isn't edible/yummy they hit it with their paw if it moves its a toy.
If it doesn't move and is even just big enough to lay on its a bed.

If none of the above work the thing is stupid and they ignore it.

 

[kymom99]

My cats have this few of the world:

If they see something new they taste it. If its edible and yummy it must be food.
If it isn't edible/yummy they hit it with their paw if it moves its a toy.
If it doesn't move and is even just big enough to lay on its a bed.

If none of the above work the thing is stupid and they ignore it.

or "bury" it!

 

[kymom99]

It is very hard if you have 2 pets that don't get along. A friend had a dog and brought another home. They did not get along at all to the point that she feared one would kill the other. She had to send one to live with her mom.

OTOH, I had a cat who gave birth to kittens in the dog's house!

 

[tvguy]

The best way to get two is to get litter mates. My two girls (Mickey is no longer with us unfortunately ) were litter mates that we got when we were only planning to get one... but they were soo cute together and very dependent on each other.

They are now much more independent since the more timid one has gotten a bit bolder. They get in little scuffles but never anything that causes cat fur to go flying and definitely nothing to cause a vet visit. Most of the time its just hitting each other with paws, a bit of wrestling, or a hiss or two.

Our first pair were litter mates, a boy and a girl, and they fought worst than the two 16 year old female cats that we had when my MIL passed away and we were forced to adopt her cat.

 

[vikster1]

My 3 cats are close in age. Calvin male 2 1/2 blue smoke persian ( in my pic when he was a kitten), Tiara female 2yrs medium hair black domestic from the shelter and when got Lincoln male 1 1/2 yrs black persian from the shelter a few weeks ago. The boys are very playful. They all get along and play and chase. I have found male cats are more personable. Before the 3 mentioned above we had Grady a himalayian and Buster a regular domestic and they were close in age and best buds. Males Grady lived 21 years. Buster 15. I think cats do need a compainion cat. They play, sleep and eat together. The entertain each other when their Humans are not home.

We also use a home vet. It is less stress on the kitties and going in the car.

 

[barkley]

one of the best things we've done is from day one-when we're putting out the wet cat food (there's always dry food available) we make an audible sound to alert the cat so it identifies that sound with something positive. this way if we need to quickly locate the cat (like when we have a repairman over and we need to secure the cat in a specific locked off room) we make that sound and it comes running to us.

 

[kymom99]

one of the best things we've done is from day one-when we're putting out the wet cat food (there's always dry food available) we make an audible sound to alert the cat so it identifies that sound with something positive. this way if we need to quickly locate the cat (like when we have a repairman over and we need to secure the cat in a specific locked off room) we make that sound and it comes running to us.

That really works. With the cats we had before, all we had to say was EAT and they went running to the basement. We keep our cats downstairs at night so that we can get some sleep, and the wet food was their reward. Eventually it becomes their routine. The cat we have now only eats dry food but I portion out 1/3 cup in the morning and 1/3 cup in the evening. When we were away last week my helpers only came by once a day and they didn't lock him downstairs at night. He survived but he was very out of sorts when we returned. And, he stole jelly beans out of the dish! My sister found them all over the floor! Once we got back to the routine he was fine. They crave the comfort of a routine just like humans do. He gets treats twice a day and if I shake the container or open the closet door he comes running. They really do respond to cues like that.

 

[crisi]

I've had two that didn't get along as well. Expensive vet bills to patch one up, plus it was miserable to have them howling.

My daughters best friend has littermates. They played together as kittens. Six years later they ignore each other for the most part.

Cats are often solitary animals. Once they outgrow kittenhood, they sleep eighteen hours a day.

and keep in mind that two doubles your vet bills, your food bills and litter costs. Don't feel like you need to get two.

 

[katyjeka]

We got our little guy right after Easter. He's a black and white Maine Coon and was 8 weeks old. Our girls have had a great time with him and he's become an important part of our daily life. Loves car rides and water, you have to watch when taking a shower because he has a habit of coming in!! We have a clawfoot tub in our main bathroom and I didn't have the door shut completely, he decided to join me. We really didn't buy a lot of toys but he loves my yarn. Scratching posts are a good idea. We feed him Iams kitten and sneak him a little tuna water. Did have him fixed recently and the girl said he was the most mellow kitten she'd ever seen, didn't want to let him go.

 

[weeniecat2442]

how fun! I love kittens! we have 4 cats.

go for a lot of "vertical space." cats love being up high and watch their territory from high above. We have put up some shelves for the cats, including a wall thingy that is meant for plants but we put a blanket in it. they love this thing!

def go for a cat tree. check for them on groupon or amazon. they have great deals! ones at the pet stores are SOOOO expensive.

I'd also be sure to get some boxes...all sizes. we sometimes leave out a random box in the floor and there is always someone taking up residence in it quickly.
boxes and baskets are in random spots in our place...they love them

put up some pics of the little guy when you find it! good luck!

 

[LilyWDW]

My boys are on prescription food due to one having issues with bladder stones (he's having an ultrasound today to make sure there isn't anything else going on). However, I would never NEVER feed another animal Blue Buffalo. I have had a cat and a dog get very sick on their food, a vet tech I am friends with has mentioned the number of ill animals that are on that food, and the research I have done online scares the heck out of me.

For litter I use Tidy Cat Lightweight. It works really well in my opinion. Plus, I have to carry it up to my apartment and I have back/hip issues so the lighter weight is really nice for that!

My boys have way too many toys because I spoil them. I would suggest a cat tree, scratching post, a cat nip toy, and then some really basic ball type toys that they can bat around. My one kitty loves to play fetch so the balls get used the most around here!

 

[kamik86]

Oh and with all the toys my cats have these are their favorite items:

Mickey (when he was with us) anything that my humans are playing with.
Minnie - Hair ties
Daisy - Anything that makes shiny light reflections on the walls and ceilings. Laser pointers work but so does say... a watch

Notice none of these things involve having to actually buy cat toys.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

I just brought home 2 kittens on Sunday. I definitely recommend pairs - they entertain each other a lot. Years ago, we actually got a 2nd cat because our cat needed a buddy - she would be waiting at the front door for us every day before she had a companion.

I set up a kitty room (the laundry room) that has a small cat tree, a litter box, a few toys, and a crinkle bag. I might get a larger cat tree - Amazon has great prices. DD added a stuffed animal that she thought they might like.

They are having a blast in their little room. They play hard and sleep hard. I have a big dog, so until I am 100% confident about them around each other, they stay in the kitty room when I'm not home. The dog has been a sweetie with the kittens though - he knows exactly where they are at every moment. They keep trying to snuggle with him, but he gives them a look of disdain and moves. Sometimes, he needs a break, so I have a room he can go to alone, too.

 

[barkley]

That really works. With the cats we had before, all we had to say was EAT and they went running to the basement. We keep our cats downstairs at night so that we can get some sleep, and the wet food was their reward. Eventually it becomes their routine. The cat we have now only eats dry food but I portion out 1/3 cup in the morning and 1/3 cup in the evening. When we were away last week my helpers only came by once a day and they didn't lock him downstairs at night. He survived but he was very out of sorts when we returned. And, he stole jelly beans out of the dish! My sister found them all over the floor! Once we got back to the routine he was fine. They crave the comfort of a routine just like humans do. He gets treats twice a day and if I shake the container or open the closet door he comes running. They really do respond to cues like that.

I can't have candy dishes out anymore-mine like to flip out the wrapped candies and use them to play air hockey on the tile with. when we had the Christmas tree up we would wake up in the morning to find broken candy canes (still in the wrappers) they had pulled down and played with all night.

 

[Ephany]

I currently have two indoor only cats. One is 18 months and the other is just over a year old. The older one (the boy) is super mellow. He likes to be near you, but not on you or cuddling you (unless you're asleep). He loves to play fetch with hair ties and rabbit fur rattle mice. I got the 2nd one to keep him company and they get along really well. He's definitely a lot happier since we adopted her. My younger one (the girl) is super cuddly, super bossy and very talkative. She loves playing fetch with the clothes that go on polly pocket dolls and the laser pointer. They both love, love, love a toy called da' bird and another called a go cat catcher teaser wand. I also purchased a cat fountain to drink from; they both love it and I've noticed they seem to drink a lot more water since we got it. Also, if you have access to Costco, ours has awesome cat trees once or twice a year. They're 6 feet tall and run about $75. The kitties love watching the birds and the outside world go when they're hanging out in it.