Another Kitty

[Miss Wiggle]

I got a rescue cat about a yr ago from the RSPCA, she'd been somewhat mistreated and struggles trusting people, once she gets comfortable with you she's very sweet and cuddly but she definately takes her time getting to know people. She even still lashes out at my fella sometimes but it's been at leats 9 months or so since she's gone for me.

Now I really fancy getting another kitty but I'm not sure if it's a good idea, she can be quite territorial (I think cos she's never had a stable home before, now she has one she's very protective of it and me) and basically a bit mental!

Part of me thinks having another cat might help her, she gets a bit stir crazy, she got attacked when she was out a month or so ago and she hardly leaves the house now, but you can just tell she needs to have a good play and run around.... maybe having a friend to play with would help her or a kitten might bring out her mothering instincts and calm her down

or

she could get fiercely territorial and just keep attacking the other cat and do a serious injury

anyone got any thoughts/recommendations?

 

[Bloo]

It can go either way. But my feeling is that with another cat she might feel threatened and become more territorial. The problem is, you probably won't know for a good few weeks even if you get another cat - as you know it would (mostly) take several weeks at least for a more mature cat to accept and adjust to a new feline friend. Sometimes that never even happens and at best they will only ever tolerate each other.
You'd certainly stand a better chance of integration if you got a kitten.

Good luck with your decision

 

[Miss Wiggle]

she's about 3 yrs old, someone else told me it'd be best to get them the same age

it's definately fly or die though isn't it, could go horribly wrong.

I think maybe if were really clinical about it and try it but be prepared that if after a few weeks or whatever they're not settling down and it's obviously not going to work then we'll have to take one of the to the RSPCA or something like that

 

[Bloo]

It's certainly much easier to introduce a kitten to an "older" cat than another older cat - when they are both set in their ways. Kittens are much more accepted and if the older cat is the dominant one, can more easily "follow lead".

 

[Miss Wiggle]

ok cool, someone just told me this morning they have a friend with new kittens looking for a good home.

the problem is if I go and see them you can pretty much guarantee I'll fall in love with one and want to take it home.

 

[Bloo]

No doubt about that ! But the good things is - (I know that this might not seem entirely fair on the kitten) - but you can certianly try them together for a month or so and if it really doesn't work out, the kitten can still very easily be rehomed (much more easily than an older cat that's been through various stresses and homes already).

 

[Miss Wiggle]

yeah exactly, if they're really not getting on I think I can be sensible enough to learn when to call it a day and take it back to the RSPCA or give it to someone else.

Done it just today with some fish that wouldn't stop fighting, not really any different with a kitten

 

[KathyM]

It is actually very different with a kitten to rehoming fish - cat's like dogs can be left with emotional/ehavioural issues with being tkane pillar to post.

I think if you're not sure she would take to another feline friend, it's probably best leaving it and spoiling her - the RSPCA have enough work on their hands without the chance of another kitten in the middle of kitten season.

I'm a bit concerned that you said if it didn't work out:

if after a few weeks or whatever they're not settling down and it's obviously not going to work then we'll have to take one of the to the RSPCA or something like that

I would hope you would never consider returning your adult cat if she didn't get on with a kitten you brought home. She was there first and it really should be last in, first out, and only then if really necessary. If you have any inkling that you would need RSPCA backup, you probably shouldn't get another.

I would pamper and spoil the cat you've got!

 

[madmom]

Definately a kitten. Your cat will not feel as threatened with a kitten . Just keep an eye on her when inttoducing them. She may his and bop the kitten for a while but before long hopefully they will be chasing each other around. Mine did.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

It is actually very different with a kitten to rehoming fish - cat's like dogs can be left with emotional/ehavioural issues with being tkane pillar to post.

I think if you're not sure she would take to another feline friend, it's probably best leaving it and spoiling her - the RSPCA have enough work on their hands without the chance of another kitten in the middle of kitten season.

I'm a bit concerned that you said if it didn't work out:

if after a few weeks or whatever they're not settling down and it's obviously not going to work then we'll have to take one of the to the RSPCA or something like that

I would hope you would never consider returning your adult cat if she didn't get on with a kitten you brought home. She was there first and it really should be last in, first out, and only then if really necessary. If you have any inkling that you would need RSPCA backup, you probably shouldn't get another.

I would pamper and spoil the cat you've got!

oh I didn't mean it'd be the same for the cat, I was talking about the decision when it's just not working out with two animals that one of them has to go.

Getting any two animals together is always going to carry some element of risk, all I meant is I'm prepared to be grown up enough to make the decision that's in the best interests of the animal.

Anyone could need RSPCA back up mixing two animals, should no one ever get 2 cats just incase it goes wrong? You can never predict how an animal is going to react, just have to judge as best you can.

I've been trying to remember when I introduced her to other animals, took her back to my mum's at xmas and she met my mum's kitten and was fine, little bit of hissing and staring each other out, but she didn't attack her or anything, was actually a bit scared and the kitten snuck past and ate her food Different if it's not on her territory I know but a fairly good indication, I hope!

 

[Mikaila31]

Just to warn you, it might take her longer than 2 week to get use to another cat if she is very territorial. It took my cat 2 weeks but he is very friendly. Also i wouldn't let the cats have two much contact with each other the first few days. just let them watch each other my cat followed the kitten around at a distance the first few days. He also moped around the first few days

Have fun!

 

[dthoffsett]

When I introduced a new kitten to my household I found it helpful to have supervised "play" and then at night when I obviously could keep an eye on them, I put the kitten in a crate to sleep. That gave the adult cats a chance to have the house to themselves, but also made the kitten accesible to check out without hurting him. After a month or so, everybody was free to roam. One of my cats took to the kitten right away, the other one took a couple of months.

 

[KathyM]

I didn't say noone should get two cats in case they don't get along. I said that if you know your cat is very territorial and have a feeling you'll need rescue backup, it might not be a good idea to get another, relying on a rescue to back you up and rehome the new cat.

I think a good solution for you would be to foster a kitten or two and see what happens before taking the plunge and adopting another kitten permanently. That way you have the rescue backup without relying on them to rehome a kitten you've got off a friend for example.

I hope I didn't offend you with my last post - it's just I've lived in a feline war zone, and tried for nearly 2 years for them to get on, including help from feline behaviourists, veterinary help, Feliway, the works. I had to part with Mojo (last in first out) and rehomed him to an only cat household because my eldest cat Dodge couldn't tolerate him. It was heartbreaking, and we were very lucky we found a good home for him as he could've been a burden on rescue. In the middle of kitten season, it's very very hard to find new homes for cats, whether they're in rescue or not. Too many people going out and getting kittens from local people who didn't bother to neuter their pets.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

aye, i've been trying to weigh it all up rationally, and I think it's a risk worth taking.

Since Mitt's got attacked about 2 months ago she barely leaves the house and she gets really stir crazy being cooped up, I think having a little friend could give her someone to play with so maybe it would calm her down, I think a lot of the time when she's going mental she's just got a load of excess energy she's not burning up cos she's not going out and playing liek most cats would, Obviously when I'm home I can play with her and try and help but cos she's alone when I'm out at work it's a big part of the day so having someone to play with then could really help.

As for her being terrotiorial I've been thinking about when she's been introduced to other people and animals, and at first she doesn't like anyone being in the house, but if they spend 3/4 days there most of the time she'll soon calm down and get used to them. Like just up until last week she was still very wary of Ian and going for him when he'd come over.... but then he stopped at mine for a full week and when he finally stayed at home for a night she was really missing him, kept looking out for cars pulling up and slept on his side of the bed. She's been fine with him ever since, nearly likes him as much as me now. Obviously it'd be different with another animal but you can only go on what you have experienced, so I reckon although it's be stressy at first and we'd have a war zone for a little bit once she got used to the kitty she'd be fine and it could really help her.

yes I'd be dead careful introducing them, take a few days off work and I'm well prepared to have periods of time with one shut upstaiors and the other shut downstairs, give them a chance to suss each other out and then short periods together to get to know each other, wouldn't just dump the new kitten in the hosue then go out and leave them!!

 

[KathyM]

Sounds like you've got it well sussed out

Good luck - and you'd better bloomin' post pics, alright?