OK, what now?

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Yes, sounds like you're doing something right, especially after reading Eddie's story collapsed into a few sentences. But I think what's most important in Eddie's story is the good day/bad day thing. I believe that will continue forever, because it's that way in my house too, after T & P being together for 15 years now!

Please keep us updated, and if I remember right, hubby was coming home today with the camera, right?

[sqwelch]

This thread has really got me thinking !!! I was considering getting Bonnie a wee friend as I can tell how much she misses her brother Jock. I'm not to sure now as all of you more experienced cat lovers talk about keeping them in seperate rooms at the start. That would be totally impossible for me as I only have a small flat with no spare room

Also do you reckon that another boy would be better for Bonnie or would 2 girl cats get on ??? And another question, should I consider a kitten or an older rescue cat ??

Now don't get too excited as I am only considering it


My parents think I'm mad to think about cos they say Bonnie will get used to being alone, I must admit she does like the extra attention as Jock was a very demanding boy and would push her out the way when she was being cuddled (he was my big cuddly baby who loved his meowmie tons!!)

[RedHedd]

Originally posted by sqwelch
This thread has really got me thinking !!! I was considering getting Bonnie a wee friend as I can tell how much she misses her brother Jock. I'm not to sure now as all of you more experienced cat lovers talk about keeping them in seperate rooms at the start. That would be totally impossible for me as I only have a small flat with no spare room

Also do you reckon that another boy would be better for Bonnie or would 2 girl cats get on ??? And another question, should I consider a kitten or an older rescue cat ??

Now don't get too excited as I am only considering it

I've heard that it's easier to introduce a cat of the opposite sex to the resident cat. As I only have experience with introducing Mishi to Mitzi and was warned that introducing another female to Mitzi would be difficult, not sure I can help you there. I have a teeny, tiny one-bedroom apartment and it was difficult keeping them separated, but somehow I managed for a whole two weeks or so. Poor Mishi lived in the bathroom for his first couple of weeks with us and I'd lock Mitzi in the bedroom so he could get a feel for the place and leave his scent where Mitzi would smell it. It wasn't an ideal situation, but I knew it wasn't forever.

Not sure about the kitten vs. older cat thing. I opted for a grown cat as I know the rescue shelters have a more difficult time rehoming them. HTH

[PayItForward]

Originally posted by sqwelch
I'm not to sure now as all of you more experienced cat lovers talk about keeping them in seperate rooms at the start. That would be totally impossible for me as I only have a small flat with no spare room

What about new cat stays locked in your bedroom ? (More comfortable than a bathroom) That way he/she will have your company at night.

I wouldn't get a young kitten, maybe an older calmer kitten or an adult would be easier to settle. But this opinion is only as I recently have found out how much work a kitten takes.

I have 4 boys and 2 girls, I find the boy to boy introductions the easiest ones, with the Girl to Girl introductions being the worst (Overall)

But seeing as the cat chooses you not the other way around, I would go to the shelter and see who decides to come home with you.

[Lallypop11]

I have twin brown tabbies, male and female, and I rescued a young kitten in June. He was quarantined in our bathroom in a cozy nest until tests proved he was healthy, then he was able to have contact with the outside bathroom door and reach his little paw under the door to the 2 staring kitties outside. This let them get used to the smell and the fact that there was another kitty in the house. The big day that we introduced them was all caught on tape. My female cat gave lots of attitude and just observed while my male cat was more curious and "introduced himself" and sniffed a lot. I could tell my female was intimidated because she thought that he would get all of our attention and she demands a lot of it! From then on we did daily short supervised visits with my fiance and I. That progressed to leaving him out all day with them while we were at work and only putting him in the bathroom at night. We continued that way for a long time because I could tell my cats, at a year and a half, appreciated the break from the rambunctious kitten who enjoyed wrestling. Eventually they stayed out 24 hours a day together and seemed to do fine. They had no choice but to be together all day when we went on vacation to Hawaii for a week, we didn't want to leave him in the bathroom that whole time and make our cat sitter let him out twice a day.

Each cat, as you know, has it's own personality and each will react differently to each situation. I agree with everyone else's comments though about introducing them slowly and getting them used to the idea of each other though. They may eventually cuddle or just tolerate each other and not like each other, but only time will tell. My kitten and boy cat like to chase each other and wrestle and I have caught them all laying together on the bed before, so I know it's possible. My girl cat still owns the place but is very tolerant. All it takes is time, and we're still working on it. I am interested to see their chemistry when my kitten grows out of his kitten stage too. Good luck!

If all goes well, I will be attaching a picture of the 3 of them caught on the bed together, it was so cute!

[jazzcat]

Lallypop11 - cute picture! I'd love to see more of your gang.

[NoahsMommy]

I agree with Moosmom. I think supervised meetings would be good. If Ally get's scared and hides, just let Conner get a feel for his new home while she's in hiding. It'll get her used to the fact there's a new kitty in her life.

It'll take a while as its usually on the resident's cat's terms.

sqwelch,
In my opinion, a male kitten would be an easier introduction. You can keep him in your bathroom when Bonnie is overly annoyed...and when she needs some extra attention.