People with multiple cats

J&K10910

Just her head?  Ha!

raynes

Here is some time lapse accidental kitty love for you.




Getting closer.....






Shortly after that the big one woke up and realized how close the little one was, and left.

raynes

Yup.  If they're in the same room when the big one starts to clean herself, the little one will come over and totally clean her head.  Inside the ears and everything.  There's usually a face bite or two involved, but it's cute.

I tell them "kisses, not hisses".

J&K10910

I think DDPKitty knows what we're discussing.  As if to simultaneously prove my point and argue against it, she just managed to lock herself in the closet.  I interpreted it to mean "Look, mom, I need a playmate" and also "look mom, this is what I'm goign to do to that little brat if you bring it home."  Then she brought me her laser pointer in her mouth and dropped it on my toe.

raynes

Oh the laser pointer...  So much fun.

Brie2010

Late to the party, but we got our cats at separate times and they were fine.  There was chasing and biting and scratching and hissing for the first 2-3 weeks...and then suddenly they were grooming each other and BFFs.  They still get into it sometimes, but it's just play.  Neither cat is really dominant over the other, either.

Re: what kind of cat to get--generally opposite sex pairs work best.  Female-female pairings are usually a not the best; male-male is better, but male-female is what we would suggest when I was a shelter volunteer.

J&K10910

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_people-multiple-cats?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:9db66e3e-0bdb-40d7-9209-a0ad89081182Post:91269ab2-7650-4a4d-b10a-e8b79375d015">Re: People with multiple cats</a>:
[QUOTE]Late to the party, but we got our cats at separate times and they were fine.  There was chasing and biting and scratching and hissing for the first 2-3 weeks...and then suddenly they were grooming each other and BFFs.  They still get into it sometimes, but it's just play.  Neither cat is really dominant over the other, either. <strong>Re: what kind of cat to get--generally opposite sex pairs work best.  Female-female pairings are usually a not the best; male-male is better, but male-female is what we would suggest when I was a shelter volunteer.</strong>
Posted by Brie2010[/QUOTE]

Really?  I prefer females and we were planning to get another female, but I'm intrigued now.  Do you know why? 

beatlesgirl25

Eek! Raynes, I want your kittens.

I love how DDP Kitty is stepping up her game now to make you forget all about other cats.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

The kitten won't really mind. Hell, I accidentally dropped a broom on Sam yesterday and he seemed fine.

It's funny, because we got the persians at the same time, and after we had Gus and Nimbus. As the first cat, Nimbus should be dominant, but he is totally at the bottom of the domination pile.

I was in my dressing room/closet today. Gus was in there with me, peeking out the door, which was open a crack. Suddenly, I saw a tiny persian paw reach around the door at slap him. It was Lilah, though, and she doesn't hit hard. Mostly it's just funny.

mstar284

We had Jingles, and he was a wild man--even ran into the metal chair and broke his little paw paw. He had to wear a neon pink cast for a couple of months. Anyway, we got another kitten when Jingles was 2. He was a little put off at first, but then he started taking care of it like he was its mother-- Licking it, laying with it, playing with it, and teaching it. It was too cute. They get along now and lub each other, with occasional territorial/dominance spat (fun to watch though).

raynes

Ours are both girls, so their fights/inability to really get along perfectly makes a lot of sense based on what Brie said.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

Also, having had both male and female cats, I agree that male-female or male-male are best. I love female cats, but my male cats (fixed, of course) have been much more accepting and laid back.

Not to be stereotypical, but you know how guys will fight by getting into fisticuffs with each other at a bar, and then be fine? And girls hold grudges? It might be the same for cats. ;-)

missy68

J, that kitten totally had bipolar hair, and is adorable

J&K10910

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_people-multiple-cats?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:9db66e3e-0bdb-40d7-9209-a0ad89081182Post:6c21459f-f238-45aa-b608-d737734a4e16">Re: People with multiple cats</a>:
[QUOTE]J, that kitten totally had bipolar hair, and is adorable :)
Posted by missy68[/QUOTE]

Haha, I know!  But now I'm sad because none of the boys are as cute.

J&K10910

Ok, this one is pretty cute.  He looks like a grey Minka.

Brie2010

I'm not completely sure why, J&K, but female cats, in my experience, just don't do well with other females.  If Minka's a 2ish year old female, I would suggest possibly a male kitten--some female cats like taking on a mothering role, and if that's not her thing, you still have an opposite sex pair.  At the shelter we were told to try to push people into opposite sex pairs if they wanted advice.

FWIW, there are tons of super sweet, snuggly male cats out there.  OURS isn't, but my sister has two males that are incredibly cuddly.

raynes

J&K, he's cute!  And you can name him Phantom, 'cause it looks like he's wearing a mask.  And thinking about opera.

J&K10910

Interesting, Brie!  A male is definitely something we'll have to at least talk about then.  My parents two cats that didnt' get along were both females, so it makes sense.

Raynes, he DOES look like the Phantom!

goheels05

I wish you could set up special search alerts on Petfinder like you can on Ebay. 

J&K10910

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_people-multiple-cats?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:9db66e3e-0bdb-40d7-9209-a0ad89081182Post:a9d9e6f1-25e5-497b-8a79-2551d3c7d7a9">Re: People with multiple cats</a>:
[QUOTE]I wish you could set up special search alerts on Petfinder like you can on Ebay. 
Posted by goheels05[/QUOTE]

This is a super brilliant idea.

ggmae

Well as you know, we got our 3 at the same time from the same litter. However, we think that Henry has established himself as the Alpha male in the household. We were observing them one day and agreed that he was definitely in charge.

All 3 of them fight, play fight, and cuddle. I think that if you were to get another cat, that new kitty would eventually learn that Minka was the boss! (Oh, and I agree with Brie about getting a male cat. Coco is a diva as well, and does alright with her brothers. I think that if we had more than 1 female, it'd be bad news!)


In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_people-multiple-cats?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:9db66e3e-0bdb-40d7-9209-a0ad89081182Post:e3fad37f-cc21-436f-8544-17f81e94586b">Re: People with multiple cats</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: People with multiple cats : She does!  I really want another cat, but unfortunately I've hit my quota.  If I get another I will officially be the crazy cat lady.
Posted by shellydiane820[/QUOTE]

I have 3 cats. What are you trying to say, Shelly? ;)

thesuninherhead

There's always integration issues, and it does take time to integrate kitties... but that said, we are so glad to have more than one, and our kitties are much happier.

thesuninherhead

OMG GIVE ME THAT CUTE KITTEN!!!

 

Seriously, he is super adorable. 

How old is box-kitty? Age has a lot to do with integration. If Box Kitty is younger, integration will probably be much quicker.

J&K10910

You can have the cute kitten if you come visit Minnesota

Box kitty is 2.  And a few months.  So she's still fairly young.  We're thinking if we're going to do it, we should probably do it pretty soon.

katiewhompus

Omg the second kitty is super adorable too!

Ditto what another poster (I think own) said.
Keep new kitty in a room where he can't get himself in trouble. Let ddp kitty hiss and smell through the door, but don't put them together. Also, and this sounds anal I know but, pick up ddp kitty before doing anything with the new kitty. This will get the new kitty used to her smell without her going "omg mom smells like new cat and doesn't love me anymore". Also, don't put ddp kitty in a room while new kitty can wander freely. It will ruffle feathers and new kitty will claim things that are not hers yet, especially the cat tree.
Even after they have a truce have separate litter boxes and separate food and water bowls. You may even want to get a smaller separate cat tree.
There will be scuffles at first. I've read/heard not to break them up unless there is blood drawn or it appears to be going on the road to serious injury. If it is pick up the kitten and put him in a separate room. If you discipline box cat she will likely go harder next time and hold a grudge.

I always told our adopters to look at introducing a new cat like a new roommate. If you went home and were told "Hey, you're getting a new roommate. She's going to come move a few things, then gradually move in". You could be friends. You'd be slightly miffed at first, "don't I have a say" type attitude, but you could adjust.
Now think of coming home one day, and there's someone sitting on your couch, watching your tv, and eating your food, who says "Hey, this is my couch now because I live here." and imagine your reaction. Not pretty I'm guessing.

Midgetth

We got a second cat for similar reasons with our first one Mandee was always up my ass and into toruble when I wasn't looking/ We decided to get a second one to keep her company, Felix. Well then it just made 2 headaches in our house and twice as much trouble being caused. He just joined right in with her and now it's double trouble. They are two years old now & are just starting to settle down some what. They still can cause some havic if they want tobut are getting more cuddly and mellow.