Thinking about getting a second cat?

MOST cats like the company, but there are a few that prefer the solitary lifestyle. An 11 month old and a "one year and a few months" old are basically the same age, even though the young mother has had a very different life. Hopefully, the new cat will become an excellent playmate for your kitten. I got a fourth cat when my third cat turned 15 months old. I had gotten my third cat as a stray 12 week old kitten, and assumed that my recently adopted stray 2 year old and 3 year old would warm up to him. Unfortunately they were not well socialized as kittens, and wanted nothing to do with my new energizer boy. I gave it a month, then 6 months, then finally a year had passed. The 2 older cats still wouldn't play with him, and it became obvious that he was frustrated and needed a playmate. When I got the fourth cat it was 13 weeks old. Once they got used to each other they became inseparable. They are best friends, as close as litter mates despite being one year apart in age. I've had them together for almost 2 years now, and they're still bffs.

A few recommendations can make it easier. First, be very selective to get cats that have similar or compatible personalities. Having a cat that wants to play 24/7 is VERY annoying to the cat that wants to relax all the time. It took me 3 months to find the right fit, and I declined taking home several cats and kittens that I would have loved dearly, but didn't think they were the right match for my third cat. Second, before you agree to finalize the adoption, be sure that you can bring the new cat back if the two cats hate each other, or for some reason the adoption isn't working out. Many places won't return your adoption fee, but may allow you to exchange one cat for another without paying a second adoption fee. Third, take the new cat to your vet BEFORE you take it home. There's a number of diseases that a new cat can bring home to your first cat. You want to be sure that the new cat is tested for leukemia, FIV, giardia, and intestinal parasites. Be sure that a good quality flea product is applied, such as Frontline or Advantage or Revolution. Be sure that there aren't ear mites, upper respiratory infections, or any other sign of contagious disease. Be sure the new cat is fully vaccinated and dewormed. Remember, your goal is to adopt a new friend for your first cat, not to make him sick. Fourth, be sure to bring home at least 1-2 weeks of the food that the new cat has been eating, even if its a horrible diet and you intend on changing it. Going to a new home means tons of changes for your new cat, which inevitably produces stress. That is not the time to change diets, if possible. Give the new cat a chance to feel comfortable, then wean her onto a new food over 4-10 days, if needed. Fifth, as hard as this may be, try to keep the new cat isolated from your first cat for two weeks. There are lots of illnesses that can hide for 1-2 weeks before they become apparent. Keeping the cats apart initially protects your first cat, and gives your new cat time to get acclimated to her new home before having to deal with another animal. Letting a new cat loose in the house can be overwhelming for the newcomer. A single room is best to start. Sixth, putting a Feliway diffuser in each room can really reduce the anxiety that cats feel in new situations, and can make the transition easier. Seventh, once they've smelled each other and talked to each other from the opposite sides of a door for 2 weeks, allow short supervised visits in person. Expect there will be some hissing at first, and don't intervene unless they start fighting or aggressively chasing. Don't yell or punish them when they're anxious, or you'll increase their anxiety. Have lots of treats available to redirect their attention if necessary. In most cases, they can be left together unsupervised after several days. The adoption agency should have a handout for you on introducing cats to each other. Eighth, the ideal number of litter boxes is equal to the number of indoor cats plus one. So if you have two cats, ideally have three litter boxes. There are lots of creative ways to "hide" litter boxes in plain sight, which is worthwhile to decrease the chance of house soiling in the future.

I hope this helps. Having two cats that truly love each others company is a joy to watch.

People will tell you it's ok to just put the cats together and let them hash it out - DON'T do this! Doing a proper introduction is time-consuming, but trust me - you will avoid a headache later on!

This article is fantastic: http://www.petfinder.com/after-pet-adoption/cat-to... I've used this method, or versions of it, with all five of my cats and they all get along great now. Cats are animals who DO have social needs, and when they are introduced to another cat with care, I've found that they quite easily fall into friendships with each other. They're usually glad for the company! So getting another cat is a great idea for you. Just take the introduction easy and I think your current cat will be very glad for a new friend.

About the boxes, definitely get two. They really won't take up that much space, because you don't need a huge one. A setup I would recommend is to get a larger dome box, like the Booda Dome (cats love that thing), and also a smaller, plain box - one you can just tuck away into a corner. The cats then have choices, which helps them feel good, and you don't end up seeing litter boxes all over your place.

With regard to energy levels and growth, it's basically impossible to say. Maybe she will calm down your current cat. Maybe your current cat will cause this cat to become more playful and energetic. They shouldn't do a ton more growing at this point, but they will do some and should even out within 6 months to a year. But if either of them has longish hair, be warned - some cats' coats don't fully develop until they are a good amount older. So you may end up with a cat with a TON of hair. Which honestly, is a joy, they are gorgeous and cats love grooming.

It sounds like a good situation! Good luck!

I am having almost the exact same issue. I think my current female cat just turned a year old. I have had her since July tho and they said she was 2 months old. Anyway i been wanting another cat for awhile but never got down to the shelter and a few times I was offered a cat it fell thru. There are some kittens born at my friends job that will be ready to be homed in July and I said I would take one but I do wonder about my current kitty. She still likes to play so I am hoping she would enjoy a new friend. Since I have had her for a year tho I think my kitty might be feeling very territorial. good luck.

You never know if two cats will get along, but most do adjust in time. Expect some hissing and swatting at each other. This is normal. Just make sure a brawl doesn't break out. Give both cats plenty of attention and watch them closely. Within a week all should be fairly normal. For two cats, one litter box should be fine.

Two litter boxes are definitely better. Some cats are finicky and refuse to share.

As for getting another cat, it's all about whether you have the time and patience to give enough attention to both cats, especially since one is just a kitten and it's a developmental period of growth.

Good luck!

We had a 6 yo cat who was use to being an only child. When we found our two week old kitten and brought her home, our older cat stayed on top of the cabinets in the kitchen (his favorite hiding spot) for a week. I swear he didn't even get down to eat. He eventually and slowly warmed up to her but now they love each other.

it's better to have two. so when your gone your cat doesn't get lonely, it would have someone to play with. I have four. we just got our newest addition 2 weeks ago, they get used to each other with time and don't show favoritism because that would put your new cat under some stress too. because the other cat will sense it and will take longer for it to get used to each other. two litter boxes is best because they do get territorial. so then it's easier for one and the other to pick a litter box for it own until they get used to each other.

I vote a hearty "yes" for the two-cat plan. Take a look at DearTabbyTheAnswerCat.com. Under 'cat care' they have a good article on "How to Introduce the New Kitten to Your Cat." Hope it helps!

Getting two cats is usually a very good idea when they are both nice and calm, ESPECIALLYY when you have a rambunctious kitten, the older cat will entertain the younger one.

I would say do it. It will take some time though for them to get used to each other and I would suggest 2 litter boxes.