Another Cat?

[kgeorge]

I have one cat Sundance, I was thinking maybe he is lonely since he does not have a playmate, my mom is with him all day so he is not alone. He is 2 years old and I don't want him to be jealous if I bring another cat in (it would be a kitten, another Norweigian Forest Cat). Has anyone had any expierences good or bad? Thanks

[eni]

I have the same problem with my 11 weeks old kitten. Sometimes I feel guilty for making her feel lonely (but I am not quite sure if she does). Anyway, i am not going to experiment getting another kitten, they may hate each other.

[Cataholic]

KGeorge...hopefully Jenluckenbach will chime in with me...as she has a multi-multi cat household...introducing a kitten to a two year old should be a very smooth transition. I have six cats..and everyone gets along well, and pairs up with another one. The only downside is that the younger kitty will probably bond more with the two year old than with you...though that hasn't happened to me.

I think two cats is way more easier than one, and with the amount of cats/kittens in need, DO IT!!! Good luck.:)

[neko1]

I have 4 cats and they get along quite well. I introduced them all a year apart and they all have adjusted. My two oldest and my two youngest paired up. It's so cute to watch them sleeping together and cleaning each other.
Cats are like potatoe chips-you can never have just one!!!

[wolflady]

Cats are like potato chips, it's hard to have only one! LOL LOL Done right, introducing a new cat with your current cat shouldn't be a problem. Since Sundance is 2 years old, introducing a kitten would probably be easy as cats seem a little more tolerant of kittens. During the transition period, be sure to lavish attention and praise on Sundance rather than the kitten, so Sundance knows that having the kitten around is a good thing! Good luck, and let us know if you welcome another fur-kid into your home!:D

[jenluckenbach]

I have just 2 words for you

DO IT !!!!

Introducing a kitten to an older cat is always easier than an adult cat to an adult cat. But the later can be done also. I would not want anyone to have just one of any species. Animals need to be around others of their own kind to be the happiest.
After over 16 introductions, I can honestly say there was never blood shed (LOL) nor any real problems between new and old cats. Some relationships just took a little longer than others.

So I'll be waiting for pictures of your new cat.
:D

[Cataholic]

Originally posted by jenluckenbach
Animals need to be around others of their own kind to be the happiest.:D [/B]

Does this include humans, too, JLB? (sorry, your name is too long, so from this day forward, you are JLB)...if so, I must be more feline than human...he he :D :eek: :D

[TheAntiPam]

I agree - adding another cat should work out fine. There are all kinds of hints on how to introduce the two kitties - for me, I just held and petted my "old" cat, and let a trusted friend bring in the new kitten to play.

Things can go wrong - but then again, it might be a perfect match. So, plan ahead, but don't worry about it too much. Just enjoy them, and the stages of their friendship. :)

[NoahsMommy]

I totally agree...."do it"!! :)

Noah (our first cat) is really happy having a play mate to attack and play with...especially while we are gone. Now we have three and it's the perfect number....

Let us know what you decide. :)

[kittymom]

In response to getting a kitten when you already have a two year old cat...I have experienced the "this is my territory" destruction. He stopped using his litter box in response to my feeding of outside cats. The cats were not even in the house, but he could see them from the window.

I agree that adding a kitten with a kitten is great. I am a strong believer in cats/dogs having someone to play with when their real entertainment (having us serve them) isn't available.

[yumyum6970]

We got Yum Yum at 2 months old shortly after bringing her home my husband wanted a burman kitty so we found one for free. She is 6 years old or so. At first you keep them separated for about a week to two weeks then let them be around each other when you are at home. There was some hissing and growling but not actually fighting. That only lasted a short time. Now they are the best of friends and keep each other company while we are at work. :)

[tuxluvr]

Originally posted by jenluckenbach
I have just 2 words for you

DO IT !!!!

.......I would not want anyone to have just one of any species. Animals need to be around others of their own kind to be the happiest.
......:D

Every time I read posts like this I feel guilty - as much as I love cats (I'd take them all in if I could) I've never considered a second cat, and Ritz seems to be a well adjusted pussycat, funloving, healthy and active...

Then I read stories like those of Logan's Mimi and Butter, and that Mimi seemed happier as an only cat...

I don't feel like I am depriving Ritz of anything. She gets very irritated when the neighbor cats come to the back door, which makes me think she would not take kindly to an "interloper" I think that, like people, cats have different personalities - and some may be better suited to solitary living than others....can this be so wrong?

:confused:

[Cataholic]

Tuxluvr- you shouldn't feel guilty about just having one kitty cat! The world is full of people with opinions, and nothing is wrong with just having one! You know Ritz best, and maybe being an only cat is what is best! So, just spoil him more than you do already!

I have multiple cats and have been so fortunate with their introductions. But, I think, in a way, having more cats might have stressed Texas out some..yes, he has learned to live with it (and it might be his age, too) but, that was my choice, and I have to live with it.

We all do what we think is right, and best, and at the time, the smartest choice...so, no guilt...since it is such a worthless emotion, anyhow. Instead, why don't you use all your spare time to write loving tributes to the TUXEDOS!!

:D

[Vermontcat]

You are not the only one with an only cat. My cat prefers to be the only cat in the house. She is 14 and set in her ways. She has always been territorial with the neighbors cats coming into our yard. When she was a 1 year old she stayed at my in-laws house with their 2 older female cats and bullied them so they both hid under the beds while she was there.( she was there for a week while we were on our honeymoon)
I think that male cats and younger cats seem to do better at accepting a new kitten in the house. It does depend on the individual personalities. Good luck to kgeorge, try it and see if it works, you never know until you try. I have tried and my cat said no.:(

[tuxluvr]

Originally posted by Cataholic
Tuxluvr- you shouldn't feel guilty about just having one kitty cat! The world is full of people with opinions, and nothing is wrong with just having one! You know Ritz best, and maybe being an only cat is what is best! So, just spoil HIM more than you do already!

We all do what we think is right, and best, and at the time, the smartest choice...so, no guilt...since it is such a worthless emotion, anyhow. Instead, why don't you use all your spare time to write loving tributes to the TUXEDOS!!

:D


Hummm a tuxie tribute :).... And Ritzeee wanted me to make sure you know she's a gurl kat...she just checked, and told me she definitely doesn't have any cottonballs :):D ;) :rolleyes:


And yes, I do spoil her rotten.....I know that we probably spend more time with her because we know we are a big part of her life too....so, no guilt...or not too much anyway :) thanx

[sasvermont]

A lot depends on the primary cat. I have three cats. They all like each other now. Miley and Graemer are brother and sister, so they are in love. Gabe now gets along with both cats and I would say that they keep each other busy, if nothing else. I often find them curled up together. So, yes, do find your furry friend a furry friend.

;)

[tuxluvr]

Originally posted by kgeorge
I have one cat Sundance, I was thinking maybe he is lonely since he does not have a playmate, my mom is with him all day so he is not alone. He is 2 years old and I don't want him to be jealous if I bring another cat in (it would be a kitten, another Norweigian Forest Cat). Has anyone had any expierences good or bad? Thanks

As noted in earlier posts...there are times when this is the right thing to do...don't let my comments discourage - in fact, look at Sara-luvs-Tinkey - the almost "match set" of Tinky and Jupiter - these are cats that are from different sources that just look like the yin and yang of pussycatness

[Barbara]

The most important thing is: how is your life. The more cats you have the more space (and litterboxes) you need (if the apartment is tiny it might ´be difficult for 2 cats). Cats -especially if they do not go outside- are very social people. They are not happy when they are alone too much.

If we have been away a weekend, the catsitter came 2 times per day for one hour. Nevertheless Filou and Tigris are "velcro cats" when we come home and follow us wherever we are. So we feel it is better to have 2. (If your cat has good company most of the day, she or he may not miss anybody.)

They met at 16 and 13 weeks. 3 days they ignored each other and I started to feel desparate. Next thing they started to fight but there was no time to be more desparate because after their fight they fell in sleep in the same basket and started to behave like twins..
Now they do not sleep together very often but it still happens.

[2kitties]

DO IT!!!!!!!!!!
I can't tell you how many positive changes I've seen in my alpha cat- Taz- since Rocky came to live with us. They're about 6 months apart, so both were kittens when they met. But it was a rough beginning. Be prepared to think you've made a huge mistake. They fought like WWIII and I was certain the little one was going to get squashed! They had to live in separate areas for 2 weeks. Then, one day, in the middle of a supervised fist fight, they got tired and curled up together. Friends since. They still wrestle alot, but its the fun stuff! :D
They are much more independent now, don't seem as clingy when I come home from work, and seem just fine if I take a weekend minibreak. My guilt factor is much lower and I honestly believe they are happier in pairs.
Good luck

[jenluckenbach]

2kitties said what I would have if I'd have thought of it. They may fight like cats and dogs at first, but only to find their place in the heirarchy. And it is not always like that. My very first two were like that. Brining in #2 when #1 was a loner was just like the biggest mistake i've ever made, but they became more inseperably than any other two cats I've ever had. 2 kitties I wish you'd talk to moosmom, she may give up on her new cat Boo because of the fighting. See cat rescue "black stray kitty" (sorry, I don't know how to post a link)

[kittymom]

I know I was first a little hesitate about recommending someone getting a second cat when the current cat is two...but being the mom of two cats, I can't see going down to just one.
Especially like 2kitties mentioned, going away for a weekend or even to work, makes it easier on them (and me)...they have someone to talk and play with and in my mind miss us a little less.

I don't know if our out of country friends have access to these, but I would not live without it now...the automatic litter box. It's the one where after they do what they need to do... and it automatically scoops it in a little bin after 10 minutes. It costs a little more (ok, allot more than the average), but the convenience of having one with multiple cats more than pays for itself. In essence, the cats always have a clean litter box.

[Barbiecat1]

I have a 17 yr old pretty much blind Siamese who has been my only cat since 6 wks old. My "neighbor" (I use that term loosely, what a scumbag he is) had to move and couldn't (or wouldn't ) take his beautiful TINY 3 yr old Tortie with him, so I rescued her. I don't want to give her up, and currently have them separated in different parts of the house. He had NEVER taken her to the vet! So I took her yesterday to get rid of the fleas! and get all the shots she never had, ever. Of course the jerk didn't bother to spay her either, so by month's end that will happen too. She is a wonderful tempered girl, but my old Siamese is pretty feisty still, and I can see the issues being more on his end than on hers. She lived with both dogs and cats, so I think she would be the easier one here. I have never had to introduce old to new cat ever before, so if anyone can help me out, please do so. Thanks, Barbara

[DriftyAlison0]

I would introduce them very slowly. Have the new kitty in one room and slowly have them meet. First door to door then close supervision with the place for both cats to go if things don't go well. Slowly increase the time that they are with each other with supervision until you feel safe to leave them both alone without supervision.

[Barbiecat1]

I would introduce them very slowly. Have the new kitty in one room and slowly have them meet. First door to door then close supervision with the place for both cats to go if things don't go well. Slowly increase the time that they are with each other with supervision until you feel safe to leave them both alone without supervision.

Thank you. I have wedged the door between them open an inch; I hope it will help them get each other's scent. I am trying to do some sort of slow introduction; I just pray it all works out, since my old guy is my love, but I would love to be able to keep this little one also, since she has come from a horrible house, and all I want to do is to give her a good new home so that she can find some love with me.

[Barbiecat1]

I would introduce them very slowly. Have the new kitty in one room and slowly have them meet. First door to door then close supervision with the place for both cats to go if things don't go well. Slowly increase the time that they are with each other with supervision until you feel safe to leave them both alone without supervision.

Thank you so much. Currently I have the door between them wedged open about an inch, but since I work I have no idea if they have been exploring each other or not. I plan to put each other's towels in with the other to get their scents mingled, then I have purchase a portable dog kennel that I plan to put the new one in in a few weeks, so that they can actually be face to face, but safely.