People with multiple cats

J&K10910 · June 2010

(preferably that they got at different times)

Box kitty has been increasingly naughty since we moved. It's like now that she has more room to run around, she's ALWAYS finding something to do that's naughty. It's like she's a naughty, naughty kitten. We've considered getting another kitten before, and now we're wondering if that might be the best way to entertain her so she's not so naughty.

She's pretty used to running the house and she's a huge diva. Our main concern is that she has a kitty tower that she loves and is SUPER possessive of it. Like, she doesn't even like when WE touch it. So I'm worried she'd kick some kitten ass when the new kitten decided she wanted to lay on it too. How did you deal with that, when you got a new cat?

zippityb · June 2010

Let me just tell you that cat wrestling is the most amusing thing in the world and watching it never gets old. I might even consider cancelling my cable if I can get the cats to act out True Blood as well.

(get another!)

SarahSmile23 · June 2010

she will probably kick the kitten's ass, but she will establish her place as the alpha cat and the kitten will learn her place in the household.

zippityb · June 2010

Kittens are pretty resilient. It helps when one cat doesn't give a crap. There may be a few days of the low growls and swatting, but it goes away and they become BFFs.

J&K10910 · June 2010

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:1fd1f5db-d175-466a-9926-18c5dbca69c4">Re: People with multiple cats</a>:
[QUOTE]she will probably kick the kitten's ass, but she will establish her place as the alpha cat and the kitten will learn her place in the household.
Posted by SarahSmile23[/QUOTE]

See, part of the problem with this is that I don't know that she knows when to stop. She hasn't been around another cat since we got her from the shelter when she was about 8 weeks old. That was two years ago. She plays rough with FI and I'm worried she'd actually hurt a kitten. That's probably something ridiculous to worry about, but it does concern us.

lilgina64 · June 2010

(I've never had multiple cats, only dogs)

Do cats just like draw blood, bite, scratch, wrestle each other and then they are like "oh ok, I'm the boss and you're the minion" and everything's fine?

goheels05 · June 2010

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:06642bc0-dbc6-45ee-b52b-853341aba6fe">Re: People with multiple cats</a>:
[QUOTE](I've never had multiple cats, only dogs) Do cats just like draw blood, bite, scratch, wrestle each other and then they are like "oh ok, I'm the boss and you're the minion" and everything's fine?
Posted by lilgina64[/QUOTE]

In my experience, yes. Minus the blood part.

SarahBethBR · June 2010

One of my older cats shiit and peed all over my H's stuff when we got the younger one.

So watch out for that.

salt78 · June 2010

As you know, I have Oskie and G. Oskie was just about 4 years old when we brought G home.

We kept them separated at first and introduced them slowly. There were no snags at all. Oskie proved that he was in charge and now they are bffs.

I think it's a really good decision that we got another cat, even though we were very hesitant before. It's nice for Oskie to have someone to play with when we aren't home. G keeps him active.

skythe · June 2010

FI's family has multiple cats that have learned to share. The youngest one actually bullies the older cats now that it's grown. FFIL and FFMIL just keep a squirt bottle handy and that puts a stop to any shenanigans between the cats relatively fast. For the most part, they tolerate each other just fine.

wingedbride · June 2010

We used to have 4, all from different times. Introducing a kitten was the easiest. Combining my cats with my husbands was the hardest because they had territory established already.

So, put your current cat in a room, let the kitten around the house to get its scent spread around, then put that cat up and let your current cat explore the new kitten's scent on things. Then, when you bring them together, provide lots of catnip. It worked well for my older cat and new kitten

Celles · June 2010

It's best to introduce cats to each other gradually. Keep the new kitten sequestered in a spare bathroom or laundry room, with her own food, litterbox and toys. Let the cats sniff under the door for a couple of days or a week -- however long it takes for them to become used to each other's scents.

Once they stop puffing up and hissing at each other through the door, you should be fine to let them mingle, but I'd still keep two litter boxes in different parts of the house until it's obvious they can share. Some cats are fine and others won't share at all, so a good rule of thumb in multiple cat households is to have one more litterbox than you have cats. This hasn't been necessary for me, but I have clients (I pet sit part time) who have to have multiple boxes.

Keep a squirt gun on hand to break up any potential cat fights. But for the most part, let them work it out. Be prepared for a lot of kitty posturing, especially if your current cat is disinclined to share. They may become fast friends with only a short adjustment period, or they may never truly get along. My cats simply co-exist, but they aren't friends at all.

shellydiane820 · June 2010

We got Ming a few months after James Tiberius. At first we had to separate them when we weren't home because Jim got really mean towards Ming, and Ming didn't fight back.

After about 3 or 4 days they started tolerating each other's presence. Now they are best friends, and its incredibly cute.

I was told by the vet, don't break up their fights unless it gets really bad. They are establishing themselves and if I come in between them, it doesn't help. That was difficult for me because I'm overly protective for my fluffy babies.

J&K10910 · June 2010

Ha, the water spraying doesn't do a damn thing to deter Minka from being naughty, so I think we'll have to find a more effective way to break up kitty fights.

Everyone's cats just got used to each other? Does anyone have cats that hated each other forever? I'm worried about that. When my parents got a kitten, their older cat hid under the bed for 3 months. I'm not kidding. But she was a really passive/submissive personality to begin with. Minka would have no trouble dominating and bossing around a new kitten, I'm pretty sure.

mocha beans · June 2010

We've always brought cats in at different times. It's pretty rough for a few days, and we keep the new one on quarantine for a bit while the others get used to the idea, but now they're all lovey dovey to each other. Is DPKitty a pretty friendly cat to other people? It's probably a smoother process if old kitty is outgoing and friendly, at least that's how ours are. We also made sure to spend lots of time with the current cats so they wouldn't feel left our or abandoned in favor of the new kitty.

zippityb · June 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_people-multiple-cats?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:9db66e3e-0bdb-40d7-9209-a0ad89081182Post:65635686-1f74-4aba-9e45-6f512fe76031">Re: People with multiple cats</a>:
[QUOTE]Ha, the water spraying doesn't do a damn thing to deter Minka from being naughty, so I think we'll have to find a more effective way to break up kitty fights. Everyone's cats just got used to each other? Does anyone have cats that hated each other forever? I'm worried about that. When my parents got a kitten, their older cat hid under the bed for 3 months. I'm not kidding. But she was a really passive/submissive personality to begin with. Minka would have no trouble dominating and bossing around a new kitten, I'm pretty sure.
Posted by J&K10910[/QUOTE]

My friend's cat's personality changed when a kitten was introduced. She became more withdrawn and less lovey. A year later and she still has Jan Brady syndrome.

J&K10910 · June 2010

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:e6233453-3839-4e52-b0d5-1dda314f3406">Re: People with multiple cats</a>:
[QUOTE]We've always brought cats in at different times. It's pretty rough for a few days, and we keep the new one on quarantine for a bit while the others get used to the idea, but now they're all lovey dovey to each other. Is DPKitty a pretty friendly cat to other people? It's probably a smoother process if old kitty is outgoing and friendly, at least that's how ours are. We also made sure to spend lots of time with the current cats so they wouldn't feel left our or abandoned in favor of the new kitty.
Posted by mocha beans[/QUOTE]

She is super friendly. She'll run away at first, but then she'll come down and check them out. I had to put her away when they came to install our internet because she kept climbing in the poor guy's lap.

Just to help you guys support me in the decision to get a new baby, how cute is this little girl?

<a href="#" title="Click to view a larger photo" onclick="return gSiteLife.LoadForumPage('ForumImage', 'plckPhotoId', '00d45194-5be6-4d81-b102-842881acf9de', 'plckRedirectUrl', gSiteLife.EscapeValue(window.location.href));"> <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/images/store/0/1/00d45194-5be6-4d81-b102-842881acf9de.medium.jpg" alt="" /></a>

psichick · June 2010

our cats learned to deal with each other. we first had arnold cat and he was fine by himself. then watch cat came into the picture. then the little sh*t showed up. watch cat and little sh*t didn't get along too well. the little one took the middle spot and watchman ended up on the bottom. he would abuse the crap out of her when she was only about 8 weeks old. she stood up for herself just fine. it also helped that arnold cat looked out for her.

watch cat has since gone to a new home so it's just the two of them. they get along just great, once the alpha was secured. i would't worry about it too much, cats like company usually and they'll figure out how to deal on their own. a few fights will probably happen but after that they'll be fine. our cats aren't declawed and i have yet to see any blood when they fight (and they do, the little one really pisses off the big guy sometimes lol).

i've also found that having more than one cat keeps them out of trouble. if they want to play, they play with each other usually, which stops the mess in the house. ok well lessens the mess they make.

Night_Sprite · June 2010

She has such a sweet face!

[Deleted User] · June 2010

I found that older cats are more likely to accept kittens than adult cats. Mine hissed and swatted at the kitten for a few days, then was letting her crawl all over him, bite his ears, and do whatever she wanted.

As for the tower, like PP said she will probably establish dominance and show kitten she is the head honcho. But, I bet they will still play with each other.

J&K10910 · June 2010

So...at the risk of sounding like a crazy overanalytical cat lady, should we try to pick out a kitten with a sweet, more subdued personality? Or does it not matter?

Someone tell me to stop being an ass.

goheels05 · June 2010

Welp, that settles it. You have to get her.

I want a male Bengal kitten but Kashmir would probably hate me forever. There was a male Bengal at her foster home when we adopted her, and she was terrified of it. We were at that woman's house for an hour and a half trying to coax Kashmir out from under the bed so that we could take her home. At one point I turned to Mr. Heels out of the cat lady's earshot and said, "if she's this shy, I don't know that this is going to work." But she gets along marvelous with us and our dogs. I guess it's just male cats or all cats, but I'm not going to chance it.

psichick · June 2010

it doesn't matter. kitten's change their personality fairly drastically when they grow, especially if there's another cat around.

and stop being an ass.

psichick · June 2010

you can clearly see the size difference in our kids here (16 vs. 9lbs) and while the big guy is the alpha, the little one holds her own and kicks his ass sometimes. if these two can survive each other, yours should be fine

goheels05 · June 2010

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:5329365a-072c-4f03-998c-f9ce629d9eef">Re: People with multiple cats</a>:
[QUOTE]So...at the risk of sounding like a crazy overanalytical cat lady, should we try to pick out a kitten with a sweet, more subdued personality? Or does it not matter? Someone tell me to stop being an ass.
Posted by J&K10910[/QUOTE]

Honestly, I don't think it matters. Something strange happens with pet personalities when other pets are in the house. My mom says the pecking order among her pets changes over the strangest things (like when she got their newest dog spayed). I just don't think you can predict how they will get along until you try it.

shellydiane820 · June 2010

oh my gosh! That little kitten melted my cold, dead heart.

J&K10910 · June 2010

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:c56e9dff-9fd2-44cf-a021-5fb86ce3a8f4">Re: People with multiple cats</a>:
[QUOTE]oh my gosh! That little kitten melted my cold, dead heart.
Posted by shellydiane820[/QUOTE]

Isn't she fabulous? Doesn't she look like she's saying, "Hi! You! Yeah you! Take me home with you! I love you!"?

psichick · June 2010

you must bring her home

/end thread

shellydiane820 · June 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_people-multiple-cats?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:9db66e3e-0bdb-40d7-9209-a0ad89081182Post:63c380fb-43dd-4a77-afae-015675a97339">Re: People with multiple cats</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: People with multiple cats : Isn't she fabulous? Doesn't she look like she's saying, "Hi! You! Yeah you! Take me home with you! I love you!"?
Posted by J&K10910[/QUOTE]

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.

baystateapple · June 2010

They will fight at first, but Box Kitty will assert dominance and then they will get along.

Our cats did the same thing when they met. They fought constantly. Now they cuddle and groom each other. But the boy kitty still asserts his dominance, they wrestle, and then they get over it.

raynes · June 2010

We brought Chloe (the little one) home last Christmas when Meka (the big one) was about 2.5 y/o. The little one was about 17 weeks.

At first, they HATED each other. Like, the big one would just hiss and growl and chase the little one around. She would attack us and the little one. Granted, we only moved into the house at the end of November, so it was a lot of new stuff all at once.

But they got better. Now they play. They take turns chasing each other around the house and do the wrestling thing in a much more playful than fighting way. The little one also likes to make sure that the bigs ones head is clean. So far no reciprocal cleaning, but it's a huge step for them.

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