Ever since I found a stray cat at a bar a couple weeks ago (who ended up being taken home by someone else), I have been pondering getting another kitty.
I have one cat, Lola, who is somewhere between 7-8. She is very loving to H and me but she is rather spoiled and whenever she's been around other cats she gets all hissy and mean. But! Five years ago I went to Europe for a month and she stayed with my friend who has a cat, and after 3 days of being mean they got along.
So, for those of you that have multiple cats, did you get them at the same time, or did you have one first and then get the other? Was it hard? Do you have any advice for making my cat not be mean to another cat? What about two girl cats vs. a boy and a girl cat? Also, if we have a lot of travelling coming up, do you think that would be bad for bringing a new kitty home?
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They are 13.
Hi, Abbie! How are you! Any trips to Vegas planned?
Now with more wedded bliss.
I don't get married often, but when I do, I do it in Las Vegas.
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I wouldn't get a kitten if you're going to be out of town a lot coming up though, because you know, it's like leaving a baby home alone.
Opposite-gender pairs tend to do better. When I volunteered at a shelter, we were told to try to avoid adopting two females together because they tend to be more picky and biitchy about dominance issues. Your best bet would be a male kitten/young cat--she may assume a mothering role over it (some cats do) or she might not. But yeah, opposite sexes are the way to go.
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Hi smokey! I am tentatively planning on going back to Vegas next February or March. Maybe over Presidents Day weekend (because damn, I love federal holidays to minimize how much time off I take from work), or maybe later in March to celebrate my big 3-0. Actually, if the Reds make it to the World Series we will probably go back in the fall too. What about you?
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I think it really depends. Socializing cats at that age can be difficult. Some are old and cantankerous, and don't want to be bothered. Others thoroughly enjoy the company. Many simply tolerate the newcomer.
All of ours were added one at a time over the period of about 4 years. They were kind of just thrown together, and I think after #4, the original ones just stopped caring, "Oh look. It's another cat. Goody."
I wouldn't bring a new kitty home until you know that you can be home for a while. If you're traveling, you won't be there to monitor the socialization, and the cats will be left to fend for themselves.
There are 2 ways to look at the age issue when adopting. Younger cats are usually easier to socialize than older cats that are set in their ways, however, younger cats can also aggravate an older cat. It really depends on your particular cat's attitude.
I've found (in my personal experience) that if you already have a female cat, it's easier to bring a male cat into the mix. Females of any species can be bitches, and don't take too kindly to those that would threaten their "queen bee" title.
I would suggest looking into adopting from a rescue rather than a shelter, in your case. Many rescues allow you to have a trial period with the animal that you adopt, in order to make sure that the animals get along. If they don't, the rescue gladly accepts them back, and will usually work to find a pet that is a good fit for your household.
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Expect some conflict in the first few weeks. It's normal as the cats try to determine the new pecking order.
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When I was working at a shelter, we tried to avoid the female pairings, too. Some females do fine together, but others do not. If your cat gets all hissy and mean around other cats, she might be one of those who wants to more dominant, and would probably do better with a boy.
One other thing I've done when socializing cats together is to swap scents. Give the new kitty a bed or towel to sleep on, and then switch it with a bed or towel your old cat sleeps on. That will give them a chance to get used to each other's smell...
Whatever you decide, I hope it goes smoothly!
Miss Mrs.
I am so happy that we ended up getting another cat though. He keeps Oskar active and they can play with each other while H and I are at work.
Now with more wedded bliss.
I don't get married often, but when I do, I do it in Las Vegas.
"Lvharpy could be your AE." - direy25
"smokeybailey is the one shining beacon of light in this steaming turd of a thread." - daffodil_jill
"The almighty smokeybailey has spoken." - some bitch on the Las Vegas board
It's possible we'd be there over March Madness - my birthday is March 22, which is almost always during the games. Actually we were there for the finals this year, it was fun even though neither of us won our bets.
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I think it helps if one of them is a kitten. Sometimes that brings out maternal instincts in an older cat, but sometimes they just seem annoyed and don't want to be bothered. Usually to the consternation of the kitten, who just wants to play.
For discipline, a water pistol, or squirt bottle helps, or one of those cans of compressed air (like for cleaning computer keyboards) works even better.
Some cats do well with new pets, others not so much. My one friendly cat (Simba) loves people, but does not like other animals. He hisses at outdoor cats and passing dogs. When we were cat-sitting for a friend, he wanted nothing to do with the other cats and would chase them away. Our other not friendly cat (Nala), is scared of all people - including me - but likes to play with other cats. When we had those cats, she came out to play with them whenever she got a chance.
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Then, about three months ago, we took in another homeless kitty - a girl this time. We named her Tonks and she cannot be bothered with either of the boys and they don't really care about her. She does get after them sometimes - it's so funny to see these two big tom cats run from her, she's so small!
All in all, I think that time is the key in these situations. Just let them go about it at their own pace and in their own way. Good luck! I love kitties!!
So, we got a male kitten. I thought that would be the best. And sure enough they play, sleep together, love each other.
She straightens him out when he's playing to rough. She'll bite him extra hard, or when she wants him to get lost she'll hiss and go find a quiet space. It's been about 3 weeks and we cannot believe how well this is turning out to be!
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