Our family is getting ready to adopt another cat from a shelter as a companion for our 4-year-old cat. We are debating whether to get a kitten or adult cat. I would like to adopt an adult cat, since they have a more difficult time getting adopted. I am being outvoted by my family, who wants to get a kitten. My friends who have multiple cat households say it's best to get a kitten because an adult cat will likely spray in a household that has another cat. If anyone has any experience or advice, I would appreciate it because I had my heart set on adopting an older cat. Also, our cat is male, and would like to know if it is best to get another male, or is there any difference which gender would fit best with our male cat. Thanks!
New cat
Comments ... #
I dont think your adult cat is going to care if its a kitten or an older addition. He/she will hate it for a few weeks and hate you as well. Its only temporary though, They will eventually warm up to one another. Perhaps you might think of keeping the new addition in a separate room so it doesnt threaten your current kitty or have free range of the house. After all, that is your current kitties house. The new one is an intruder and a threat to it at first. They can sniff each other under the door.
posted by swantucky on May 01, 2011 at 07:13:03 pm # 1 person liked this
We adopted a female kitten as a companion for our male cat when he was 2. It worked out well, although he at times trys to mount her and she will not tolerate that. He is neutered. He also will try to bully her but she gives it right back, in spades. They dont fight. They do have great rollicking chases through the house and are on balance good companions to each other, sometimes sitting along side each other in the window, watching the birds at the feeder. I think its more the individual temperment of the cat than anything else. Our big guy - not fat - (18 -3/4 lbs ) is a very dominant male. The female is able to hold her own with ease. They eat side by side. We have no spraying or litter box accidents. There are three litter boxes. I read somewhere that you should have one for each cat plus an extra. I would not want to separate them.
posted by holland on May 01, 2011 at 07:24:38 pm # 2 people liked this
Th adult cat spraying thing is largely a myth. Myself and my family members have always gotten adults. Spraying has not been an issue. The humane society will let you bring your current cat to the place to "meet" the other cat, you can get a feel for how your cats feel about newcomers this way in a safe neutral place that is not domain for either cat.
posted by OhioKimono on May 01, 2011 at 07:59:32 pm #
Thanks for everyone's comments and advice. Can't wait to get our new family member!
I think you are right in your thoughts to adopt and adult cat. The kittens are sooo cute I would think they go first. But either way good luck and what a great deed. Thanks for adopting.
The advice above about keeping them separate is spot-on. If you can, put up a barrier that they can see through but not climb or jump over, so that they can see each other but not get into each other's space. We have used baby gates, stacked up, to keep doorways blocked so the kitties could get to know each other this way.
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