Getting another cat

[RaspberrySwirl 20]

So we thought it might be a good idea to get another cat while Puck is still young.

I have to run off to work right about now since my ride is here hehe but I was wondering about whether we should adopt an older one or get a barn kitten like Puck was? I have a friend at work who wants to get rid of kittens and I figured I'd "save" one or otherwise they'll end up being strays.

Anyhow, our place isn't big enough to do the whole "own room for a few days and then slowly let them sniff each other out" thing.

Thanks for the tips, guys and gals ^.^

I so don't wanna go to work

[Flames9_RN 358]

Were getting another Siberian. The momma had her litter on Dec 21, so 10-12 weeks from then we will be adding another. When it comes to adopting another, sort of go on your currents cat personality. Is she outgoing, laid back?? One sort of wants a personality that will fit well. hard to tell with cats though as they have so many quirks about them! My sister added a second cat a few weeks back, and within 2 days they were curled up with each other and playing. yet my parents added a second cat almost a yr back, and they have yet to bond, just tolerate each other.

We have a 2 bedroom condo. Will try to keep the 2nd cat in 1 of the bedroom for a bit and see how that goes. Our Bella seems to enjoy other animals. She never hissed at our dog when we first brought her home. We even had a big greyhound over and while the grey was sitting, bella walked right up and sniffed him and then sat down about a meter away, brave cat!! lol Here is a cat forum that can be usefull: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/pets/ people are pretty friendly on there. Best of luck, enough blabbering from me, I need more coffee!!

[Killer_Clown_2009 0]

Go with the kitten. An older cat can adapt better to a kitten (at least in my experience, unless they are really old), easier than to a full grown cat. Make sure you give both cats attention or Puck might get jealous.

Edited January 3, 2007 by jane2005

[Flames9_RN 358]

I think that may be one problem with my parents 2 cat situation. 1 is a kitten, while the other cat is around 8 yrs old. The kitten at first would not leave the older one alone. The kitten is much more playfull, while the other just wants to chill,lol Again try to find a personality that will gel with ur current cat. older cats still have a lot of love to give, plus older cats do not get adopted out as easily as a kitten would. Cheerio

[Chris-n-Veronica 0]

So we thought it might be a good idea to get another cat while Puck is still young.

I have to run off to work right about now since my ride is here hehe but I was wondering about whether we should adopt an older one or get a barn kitten like Puck was? I have a friend at work who wants to get rid of kittens and I figured I'd "save" one or otherwise they'll end up being strays.

Anyhow, our place isn't big enough to do the whole "own room for a few days and then slowly let them sniff each other out" thing.

Thanks for the tips, guys and gals ^.^

I so don't wanna go to work

Just watchout...We had brothers once... and they competed with each other whose spray would be last on each piece of furniture..

[Ladylethal 12]

My cats have always gotten along with each other, and I kept getting new ones so I'd have two kittens at the same time, or an older cat and a kitten. Sometimes they'd fight in the first couple of days but after a couple of weeks you'd see them sleeping cuddling together.

But in the end, even cats that grew together and get along fine sometimes will fight, but that's just normal.

[Mags 112]

Well, I brought my two cats over with me from the UK (both brothers, love each other to bits). Larry already had a cat. We introduced them and, basically, just let them sort it out amongst themselves. They growled and whined for a few days, but nothing major happened.

Now, after 3 weeks, they are playing happily with one another.

As long as you get them spayed or neutered at the appropriate ages there should be no spraying or competition.

Incidentally, talking about getting another cat. We got adopted by a stray a few nights ago. She is adorable and has made herself right at home.

Again, there was no problems introducing her to the other 3 cats. There was a bit of wailing but they're all okay now.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

When you introduce the new kitty, try putting a dab of cologne on each cat's nose (not on the nostrils -- this might sting -- but on the fur just above.)

Cats will react to other cats according to their "familiar" or "unfamiliar" scent. The cologne will confuse them for a couple days, and by then they will be used to each other.

[Ban Hammer 13,342]

When you introduce the new kitty, try putting a dab of cologne on each cat's nose (not on the nostrils -- this might sting -- but on the fur just above.)

Cats will react to other cats according to their "familiar" or "unfamiliar" scent. The cologne will confuse them for a couple days, and by then they will be used to each other.

interesting idea, never considered that

[Fandango 1,439]

Well, I brought my two cats over with me from the UK (both brothers, love each other to bits). Larry already had a cat. We introduced them and, basically, just let them sort it out amongst themselves. They growled and whined for a few days, but nothing major happened.

Now, after 3 weeks, they are playing happily with one another.

As long as you get them spayed or neutered at the appropriate ages there should be no spraying or competition.

Incidentally, talking about getting another cat. We got adopted by a stray a few nights ago. She is adorable and has made herself right at home.

Again, there was no problems introducing her to the other 3 cats. There was a bit of wailing but they're all okay now.

HOWWWWWWWWWW CUTE!!!!!!

I'm no cat expert by any means, but I'd rescue the iccle kitty from your friend

[RaspberrySwirl 20]

Thanks for the tips/anecdotes, you guys.

I think we'll be getting the kitten.

I might just toss 'em together and see what happens.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

A kitten would be a better idea for a young cat. I would take the kitten to the vet before you bring it home first, though, especially if it has been a farm cat up until now. The vet will want to check the kitten out, do a FeLeuk test (feline leukaemia), worm him and de-flea him - all good ideas before you introduce him to your own healthy, flea-free cat. While you don't have the space to do a slow get together - and it shouldn't be too much of a problem at this age, you can introduce the kitten a bit more gradually than 'throwing' them together (:-)). Let the kitten stay inside the carrier inside the house with the door closed for a little (not too long, just for the introductions) and let your other cat sniff the carrier and hopefully, have the kitten sniff your cat through the door. Instead of using cologne - which is alcohol based and may sting - try using vanilla on a cloth and rubbing it on both of the cats so that they each smell the same smell. Another option is to take a cloth and rub it over your cat first, especially around the face and cheek area, then rub it over the new kitten so that your own cat's scent is on the kitten. Cats secrete 'friendly' pheramones through glands on their cheeks - that is why cats rub their faces against you - they are marking you with their scent. You can also do something similiar with a t-shirt that you have worn - rubbing your scent over your cat and then rubbing that t-shirt over the new kitten, giving it both your and your cats smell. If you do have any problems you can also purchase a feliway pheramone diffuser - it plugs in like a room deoderizer but is odourless - and it releases the same positive, soothing pheramones into the air. I suspect your new kitten and your older one will soon be playing together. Do make sure they are both spayed and neutered before they come into heat or season for the first time and you shouldn't have any spraying problems - which is a territorial issue. Good luck!!

Kathryn (owned by 5 cats currently)

Edited January 3, 2007 by Kathryn41

[Ladylethal 12]

That stray cat is adorable!

[mawilson 2,133]

I'm, like, SO in love with that cat. I hate you mags!

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

A kitten would be a better idea for a young cat. I would take the kitten to the vet before you bring it home first, though, especially if it has been a farm cat up until now. The vet will want to check the kitten out, do a FeLeuk test (feline leukaemia), worm him and de-flea him - all good ideas before you introduce him to your own healthy, flea-free cat. While you don't have the space to do a slow get together - and it shouldn't be too much of a problem at this age, you can introduce the kitten a bit more gradually than 'throwing' them together (:-)). Let the kitten stay inside the carrier inside the house with the door closed for a little (not too long, just for the introductions) and let your other cat sniff the carrier and hopefully, have the kitten sniff your cat through the door. Instead of using cologne - which is alcohol based and may sting - try using vanilla on a cloth and rubbing it on both of the cats so that they each smell the same smell. Another option is to take a cloth and rub it over your cat first, especially around the face and cheek area, then rub it over the new kitten so that your own cat's scent is on the kitten. Cats secrete 'friendly' pheramones through glands on their cheeks - that is why cats rub their faces against you - they are marking you with their scent. You can also do something similiar with a t-shirt that you have worn - rubbing your scent over your cat and then rubbing that t-shirt over the new kitten, giving it both your and your cats smell. If you do have any problems you can also purchase a feliway pheramone diffuser - it plugs in like a room deoderizer but is odourless - and it releases the same positive, soothing pheramones into the air. I suspect your new kitten and your older one will soon be playing together. Do make sure they are both spayed and neutered before they come into heat or season for the first time and you shouldn't have any spraying problems - which is a territorial issue. Good luck!!

Kathryn (owned by 5 cats currently)

Actually, the FDA requires that vanilla extracts contain a minimum of 35% alcohol, and premium vanillas often contain a much higher amount.

Cologne doesn't sting human skin, and a bit on the fur won't sting the cat either (unless, just like with humans, it gets into the eyes or nostrils.)

Not only that, but the cologne technique is advised by many cat experts, including my own vet. (I would never have recommended it if I hadn't asked myself.) You can read more about it on the web -- here are just a few sites that discuss it:

http://www.metrokc.gov/animals/cattips/cat12.aspx

http://cat.lifetips.com/cat/55838/multiple...olds/index.html

http://www.catshaven.org/wb/pages/cat-wink...ks/cat-tips.php

http://www.tuhinabengals.com/introducing_y...kitten_to_a.htm

But all your other ideas are great !