How fair is it to get a kitten with an existing cat?
Discussion
I'm debating whether to get a kitten to keep my existing cat company. I know cats a solitary animals, but my existing 5 year old male is so timid I wonder whether he would benefit from company? He is a lover not a fighter, and runs/hides from the couple of other cats that come into the garden, so shows no signs of exerting any dominance.
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
We used to have a friendly male cat, no idea of his age as he just walked in one day
(the one outside in the snow).
Later on two kittens were abandoned on our doorstep in a cardboard box.
We took them in but the male kitten kept taunting the existing cat and so we found him another home.
We kept the female kitten (the one inside) as the existing cat and female kitten forever ignored each other.
No - I wouldn't add a kitten, but why don't you contact your local Cat Rescue,
they should give you impartial advice.
.
(the one outside in the snow).
Later on two kittens were abandoned on our doorstep in a cardboard box.
We took them in but the male kitten kept taunting the existing cat and so we found him another home.
We kept the female kitten (the one inside) as the existing cat and female kitten forever ignored each other.
No - I wouldn't add a kitten, but why don't you contact your local Cat Rescue,
they should give you impartial advice.
.
We got a 2nd cat from a rescue centre. Our first cat was timid and bullied by other local cats even in our garden. Our new cat, Charlie, was a bruiser. After getting used to each other both cars just ignored each other. No problem having two. I'm not sure they kept each other company though.
The big benefit was the new cat became the top cat in the street. No other cats came anywhere near our garden. Charlie didn't believe in the puff up and hiss preliminaries. If a strange cat came in the garden he jumped on it. So our first cat had a more relaxed time when he went outside.
So I think a kitten would be OK but wouldn't necessarily be company for the older cat. Charlie was very social with humans and our dogs but just ignored our other cat and hated strange cats.
Charlie took his last trip to the vet yesterday. Recent loss of appetite and other symptoms found to be caused by cancer causing near complete kidney failure. Kudos to the vet. After examining him he suspected kidney failure due to very swollen kidneys. The practice does blood tests for kidney and liver function on site so we got the results in 20 minutes. No need to go home and come back. Charlie hated being boxed up to go to the vet.
He doesn't seem to have suffered. He was purring so loudly being examined the vet could hardly hear his heart.
The big benefit was the new cat became the top cat in the street. No other cats came anywhere near our garden. Charlie didn't believe in the puff up and hiss preliminaries. If a strange cat came in the garden he jumped on it. So our first cat had a more relaxed time when he went outside.
So I think a kitten would be OK but wouldn't necessarily be company for the older cat. Charlie was very social with humans and our dogs but just ignored our other cat and hated strange cats.
Charlie took his last trip to the vet yesterday. Recent loss of appetite and other symptoms found to be caused by cancer causing near complete kidney failure. Kudos to the vet. After examining him he suspected kidney failure due to very swollen kidneys. The practice does blood tests for kidney and liver function on site so we got the results in 20 minutes. No need to go home and come back. Charlie hated being boxed up to go to the vet.
He doesn't seem to have suffered. He was purring so loudly being examined the vet could hardly hear his heart.
irc said:
We got a 2nd cat from a rescue centre. Our first cat was timid and bullied by other local cats even in our garden. Our new cat, Charlie, was a bruiser. After getting used to each other both cars just ignored each other. No problem having two. I'm not sure they kept each other company though.
The big benefit was the new cat became the top cat in the street. No other cats came anywhere near our garden. Charlie didn't believe in the puff up and hiss preliminaries. If a strange cat came in the garden he jumped on it. So our first cat had a more relaxed time when he went outside.
So I think a kitten would be OK but wouldn't necessarily be company for the older cat. Charlie was very social with humans and our dogs but just ignored our other cat and hated strange cats.
Charlie took his last trip to the vet yesterday. Recent loss of appetite and other symptoms found to be caused by cancer causing near complete kidney failure. Kudos to the vet. After examining him he suspected kidney failure due to very swollen kidneys. The practice does blood tests for kidney and liver function on site so we got the results in 20 minutes. No need to go home and come back. Charlie hated being boxed up to go to the vet.
He doesn't seem to have suffered. He was purring so loudly being examined the vet could hardly hear his heart.
Sorry to read about Charlie.The big benefit was the new cat became the top cat in the street. No other cats came anywhere near our garden. Charlie didn't believe in the puff up and hiss preliminaries. If a strange cat came in the garden he jumped on it. So our first cat had a more relaxed time when he went outside.
So I think a kitten would be OK but wouldn't necessarily be company for the older cat. Charlie was very social with humans and our dogs but just ignored our other cat and hated strange cats.
Charlie took his last trip to the vet yesterday. Recent loss of appetite and other symptoms found to be caused by cancer causing near complete kidney failure. Kudos to the vet. After examining him he suspected kidney failure due to very swollen kidneys. The practice does blood tests for kidney and liver function on site so we got the results in 20 minutes. No need to go home and come back. Charlie hated being boxed up to go to the vet.
He doesn't seem to have suffered. He was purring so loudly being examined the vet could hardly hear his heart.
Sounds like a great Vet
irc said:
We got a 2nd cat from a rescue centre. Our first cat was timid and bullied by other local cats even in our garden. Our new cat, Charlie, was a bruiser. After getting used to each other both cars just ignored each other. No problem having two. I'm not sure they kept each other company though.
The big benefit was the new cat became the top cat in the street. No other cats came anywhere near our garden. Charlie didn't believe in the puff up and hiss preliminaries. If a strange cat came in the garden he jumped on it. So our first cat had a more relaxed time when he went outside.
So I think a kitten would be OK but wouldn't necessarily be company for the older cat. Charlie was very social with humans and our dogs but just ignored our other cat and hated strange cats.
Charlie took his last trip to the vet yesterday. Recent loss of appetite and other symptoms found to be caused by cancer causing near complete kidney failure. Kudos to the vet. After examining him he suspected kidney failure due to very swollen kidneys. The practice does blood tests for kidney and liver function on site so we got the results in 20 minutes. No need to go home and come back. Charlie hated being boxed up to go to the vet.
He doesn't seem to have suffered. He was purring so loudly being examined the vet could hardly hear his heart.
Very sad for your loss but you've no idea how much comfort a post like this can give to others. We were in a similar position with our Tiddles we've felt guilty ever since we agreed to ending her days but reading this, it's easier to accept it was the right thing to do.The big benefit was the new cat became the top cat in the street. No other cats came anywhere near our garden. Charlie didn't believe in the puff up and hiss preliminaries. If a strange cat came in the garden he jumped on it. So our first cat had a more relaxed time when he went outside.
So I think a kitten would be OK but wouldn't necessarily be company for the older cat. Charlie was very social with humans and our dogs but just ignored our other cat and hated strange cats.
Charlie took his last trip to the vet yesterday. Recent loss of appetite and other symptoms found to be caused by cancer causing near complete kidney failure. Kudos to the vet. After examining him he suspected kidney failure due to very swollen kidneys. The practice does blood tests for kidney and liver function on site so we got the results in 20 minutes. No need to go home and come back. Charlie hated being boxed up to go to the vet.
He doesn't seem to have suffered. He was purring so loudly being examined the vet could hardly hear his heart.
Thank you.
As said, cats don't need company, but I wouldn't let it stop me taking in another cat.
Seems contrary to most experiences on here, but I had a four year old female cat, and brought two female kitten sisters into the house we were given during lockdown. Old cat was grumpy at first, but all worked out well after a few weeks. Whilst the old cat will scrap with the larger kitten occasionally, particularly at meal times, she's very fond of the smaller kitten and they often chill together.
They all get along well enough though, they eat together and sleep on the same cat tower. Surprisingly, the older cat who was previously fairly timid is much more affectionate to us now.
Seems contrary to most experiences on here, but I had a four year old female cat, and brought two female kitten sisters into the house we were given during lockdown. Old cat was grumpy at first, but all worked out well after a few weeks. Whilst the old cat will scrap with the larger kitten occasionally, particularly at meal times, she's very fond of the smaller kitten and they often chill together.
They all get along well enough though, they eat together and sleep on the same cat tower. Surprisingly, the older cat who was previously fairly timid is much more affectionate to us now.
We recently got a female kitten, as company for our 2 year old female cat (I didn't think it was a good idea but my partner wanted to since we lost our other cat and our dog last year).
We introduced them slowly as you're supposed to, and I honestly have no idea if it worked or not. The kitten is obsessed with the older one but the feeling isn't reciprocated. Sometimes they can be next to each other with no trouble at all, sometimes they seem to play but in a friendly way, other times there is lots of hissing.
I'm not sure I would do the same again if we could go back in time.
We introduced them slowly as you're supposed to, and I honestly have no idea if it worked or not. The kitten is obsessed with the older one but the feeling isn't reciprocated. Sometimes they can be next to each other with no trouble at all, sometimes they seem to play but in a friendly way, other times there is lots of hissing.
I'm not sure I would do the same again if we could go back in time.
Pistom said:
Very sad for your loss but you've no idea how much comfort a post like this can give to others. We were in a similar position with our Tiddles we've felt guilty ever since we agreed to ending her days but reading this, it's easier to accept it was the right thing to do.
Thank you.
Always sad when pets go but in this case there was no option. It wasn't treatable. Out vet is very good at laying out options and doesn't over treat. I'm sure Charliue could have lasted another month or two. What is the point in that though? Quality of life receding. He came from a rescue and had 14 great years with us and was healthy for all that time until the last while. Our vet didn't even suggest delaying. Thank you.
We have been been with this vet for 30 years. So we have been down this road before. The one time I wasn't sure what was the best course I asked him what he would do if it was his pet and went with that. I can't praise him and his staff highly enough.
RIP Charlie.
In my experience of having cats for many years, it’s 50/50.
Previously, we had Lolly, (female Norwegian Forest Cat), and after a year or so, we got Jasper, (a large British Short Hair), as a kitten.
They were soul mates. They slept together, groomed each other, played together, hunted together, fought off other cats together, and were generally inseparable.
After the Police had kindly kicked those two cats to death, we got Shadow, (British short hair). A gentle, loving cat with a calm temperament. To keep him company, we got a rescue cat, (Fluffy, female Siberian Long Hair), who is also loving with a gentle temperament.
Sadly, they don’t really get along, even though we were really careful and patient introducing them to each other.
They don’t fight, they just pretty much ignore each other.
Personally, I’d say go for it. A decent local rescue centre should be able to advise you as to any suitable cats they may have in, and be really slow with the introductions.
Hopefully your new arrival and your old cat will get on well, but if they do not, then the chances of them just ignoring each other, will, IMO, be higher than them actually constantly fighting each other.
Previously, we had Lolly, (female Norwegian Forest Cat), and after a year or so, we got Jasper, (a large British Short Hair), as a kitten.
They were soul mates. They slept together, groomed each other, played together, hunted together, fought off other cats together, and were generally inseparable.
After the Police had kindly kicked those two cats to death, we got Shadow, (British short hair). A gentle, loving cat with a calm temperament. To keep him company, we got a rescue cat, (Fluffy, female Siberian Long Hair), who is also loving with a gentle temperament.
Sadly, they don’t really get along, even though we were really careful and patient introducing them to each other.
They don’t fight, they just pretty much ignore each other.
Personally, I’d say go for it. A decent local rescue centre should be able to advise you as to any suitable cats they may have in, and be really slow with the introductions.
Hopefully your new arrival and your old cat will get on well, but if they do not, then the chances of them just ignoring each other, will, IMO, be higher than them actually constantly fighting each other.
So extra company for the owner, but not for the first cat who now has to share his house with an animal he doesn't like.
We should consider how much of the 'he needs extra company' is for the cat and how much is for the owner. Cats generally don't like other cats, especially in their private space.
We should consider how much of the 'he needs extra company' is for the cat and how much is for the owner. Cats generally don't like other cats, especially in their private space.
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