Should I get another cat? Please help me decide

[GoldenAfternoon]

Please help me decide We already own a 2 year old kitty, Portia. She is our baby and we spoil her rotten! Anyway, I was thinking about getting a companion for her. She was raised with a sister, but her sister was adopted before we were able to rescue Portia from our local shelter. We have had her for 6 months, and although I know she is happy, I think she might be lonely. I know that adult cats are harder to place than babies, so I was thinking of getting another adult cat. . .but then again, maybe a kitten might be better?? She also usually chases any cat that comes near our yard. . .so, maybe she would be better off without another one? I'm so undecided. I want to do whats best for our sweet girl. Help! Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[Beauty]

I am the resident cat lady...LOL! I have 8 indoor cats. My baby girl Cairo is 7 and very very much the boss. I have brought other cats in and she always makes herself known as the boss and thats it. She has her one friend (Mindy-Lou) and she can take or leave the rest of them but she doesn't fight them.

I say most definatly get another. I can't ever imagine my life without a cat or two.......or 8

 

[goofygirl]

Is your cat declawed? This is important if she's going to potentially fight with a new cat!

I'd get an adult cat with is already declawed and fixed, they are usually more laid back than kittens and probably would adapt better, and your cat would probably adapt better as well.

 

[cindy_k]

I have three cats right now, and have had various kitties over the years.

I don't adopt adult animals anymore. I find that animals, in general are like people, they are easier to train when they are babies.
Adults tend to come with all their training and neurotic tendencies already installed, and they are more difficult to train new ones in and olds ones out.

As for introducing a kitten when you already have adult cats, it helps if they are already used to other animals in the house. I find that cats in general, even if they don't like their new friend will learn to tolerate their existance. They will hang out in different rooms if they are not friends.

 

[catsrule]

Well Simba was spoiled rotten and about 2 1/2 when we took Cali in, who we estimate is a year younger than Simba. He is now 6 and she is, we think 5. He tolerates her.

 

[Rajah]

If you've only got the one, I agree that getting her a companion would be great.

I would just suggest getting one slightly younger than she is -- if she's two, look for one that's 1.5 or something like that. A little younger, but close to her age. That will potentially help maintain the heirarchy and hopefully make it easier to introduce them to each other.

 

[CourtasanSatine]

I have a pair of kitties(Cordelia and Doyle) who are brother and sister.The adult cats were not too found of them for some reason but I'll vote for a kitty anytime

 

[gshoemate]

I started off with one cat and thought he was lonely so I got a kitten, they got along great. My first one kind of took over as big brother. Then when me and DH got together we had the brady bunch thing going on, I had 2 and he had one. They did not get along but they lived in the same house for 6 years, and only fought every once in a while. I say go for it.

 

[Harambe]

I know that most folks prefer adopting kittens, but we consider ourselves the "nursing home" for cats. We have adopted older cats, and they are wonderful animals - they deserve a home as much as the little ones!

Our present cat is Gina - who we adopted when she was ten. We had two older cats, and when one died we brought Gina in. The two girls weren't best friends, but I think it was comforting for the original cat (India). When India died a few months later, Gina let it be known that she was not interested in getting a friend. She enjoys being solo!

I did see a lovely little cat up for adoption that I was thinking about getting, because she is declawed, and so is Gina. But my gut says that Gina likes to be an only cat!

 

[Aurora63]

I've had many cats over the years. The ones we've had together would sometimes fight, but if they didn't like each otehr they would usually leave each other alone.

I agree with the last comment about adult cats...they are wonderful.

We at once had two cats, when we got this tiny little kitten which had been abandoned. She was way too young to be away from mommy, but our older boy cat, Buster, adopted her. Literally. He let her nurse on him! I don't think she got anything out of it, but at least it was a comfort. Needless to say, they were "bosom" buddies for the rest of their lives!

 

[GoldenAfternoon]

Thanks so much for all of your input, everyone! I called our local shelter and spoke with the director. She agreed it was a good idea to find a companion for Portia. She said that a male would be easier for our cat to accept, because females tend to be very territorial (Portia is female). She also suggested we adopt a kitten, because hopefully Portia's mothering instincts would take over. Then, this morning I received an email from her asking if I would be interested in a 10-12 week old male kitten had just been found in a woodpile in a neighboring town. She said he is "a dishrag" because he loves to be held and cuddled. So, he goes to the vet this week, and we'll see what happens then! Thanks again, everyone. . .soon I'll be asking for help selecting a name

 

[catsrule]

yay! So glad you are getting another kitty and giving it a wonderful home and lovins'.

 

[Rajah]

Yay!! I hope he works out for you. Keep us posted, and we want to see pictures when you get him.