My cat is a 3 year old mix. I'm unsure whether to get another cat. If you answer yes Kitty or adult, B or G.?

Question

My cat she's half grey and half white mix. She's fixed and she's indoor. Reasons i ask is because some cats are very territorial and i want to do whats best 4 her. I live alone and work 40 hours a week, so I'm not gone alot.

Answer 1

If you are getting another cat, to keep your cat company while you are at work, your best bet would be to get a male kitten. Like someone else said, females tend to be more territorial, and if you get a adult male, it could lead to alot of fighting... it you get a male kitten, perhaps your female cats "nurturing" instincts will kick in, and she might take a liking to the little guy...(chances are she's going to HATE the kitten no matter what, but she might take a liking to a male better than a female, because she won't think that there is a threat that she is being replace) it always takes a few weeks for animals to adjust to a new comer.

Answer 2

I was in the same situation. I had a three year old male who seemed lonely because I was at work and school all the time (I live alone). When I would get home and try to study, he would nip at my elbows to get my attention and would always want to be right next to me, or on my lap, or rubbing on my face. So, I went to the shelter and got a year old female. My first cat was very territorial at first, but w/n 24 hours they were playing. It has worked out very well. Both cats keep each other company, and I have more time for work/studying.

Be sure though that you give both cats a lot of attention during this initial 24 hours. Your old cat will feel like you are replacing him, so he will need to be reassured. Your new cat will be very scared of its new environment and of having the other cat hissing at it.

I think that if you get an older cat, you should find out if it gets along w/ other cats. A kitten will usually adapt to others. I don't think it really matters as far as getting a boy vs. getting a girl though.

Answer 3

All cats are actually territorial, although how they accept another cat into their home is dependent on other things besides their territorial instincts. This includes their basic personality type, as well as their overall place in the family - i.e. are they a solitary, single cat in a home, or 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th in Seniority? Is your cat a docile, placid personality, or is she more aggressive, or perhaps, aloof and solitary?

Vets will tell you that you should gradually introduce your older cat to the newer one very slowly and in short spurts. You need to observe their interactions together carefully. Gradually increase the time they spend together and they will adapt eventually. They may bond, even if the eldest hates the other at first; they may have a distinterested and tolerant relationship with each other, or they may hate each other. It depends on who they are. Both cats will be on edge - especially if they are both adults - but your eldest may feel threatened by this new creature in what she has considered her home for the past three years. She has to adjust to this new cat's smells and so forth. Make sure you pay lots of attention to her. Cats are like kids - they get very jealous!

I think you should get a kitten. The kitten will automatically know it is not the dominant cat, and will defer to the elder one. It will probably want to play a lot with the elder cat, but it may get swatted at periodically. Expect hissing and some growling on the part of the eldest one. Adult cats are more set in their ways They like routines. Kittens are more adaptable.

Get a female. Whatever you do, do not get a male. I have 8 cats: 5 females and 3 males. I adore them all, and though my male cats are nicer than the females for the most part, I have learned (the hard way) that despite best efforts to ensure positive bonding relationships, sometimes two males do not click. Consequently, even though my cats are all spayed and neutered, neutered male cats can and do spray or urine mark one's home if they feel especially threatened by a cat of the same sex and/or equal level of dominance. My eldest male, who is the Alpha cat in the house, is very much threatened by the youngest male, who is an Alpha cat "wannabe. By contrast the father of the youngest male is so laid back the eldest male adores him - he knows this cat is not his peer, and isn't an Alpha male.. My eldest male is spraying everything! Meanwhile, he was always the most accepting of new cats, until this one was born (5 of the cats are a family: mom, pop, 3 kids) and now all hell has broken loose.

Think this through. It is a good idea to give the older one company, but it can be a bit intense, especially when it doesn't work out.

Answer 4

It's fine to get another kitty; but the new kitty needs to be a kitten--not a cat. Cats do have a pecking order. Your cat is the Cat-triarch of the household. Introducing an adult cat could result in a power struggle between them. But a kitten will immediately view your 3 year old cat as having authority. Also, a kitten may be good for her; but then, admittedly, there are exceptions to every rule. It doesnt matter whether the kitten is male or female.

Answer 5

Since you already have a neutered female adult cat, I would get another already-neutered adult cat from the animal shelter. It can be a male or female. Try to get them to help you figure out how social the new cat is. Boy or girl are both fine. Choose by personality, not sex.
There will always be some dominance issues to be straightened out at first, but you probably don't want a cat that will never adjust to other cats. Make sure they both can have separate and overlapping territories in the house. Make sure your new kitty tests negative for FIV and FLV, as you probably don't have the time or know-how to deal with either. (Neither do I).

Answer 6

Sometimes it is hard to introduce a new cat when there is already an adult established in the household. If you want to try it, get a young cat (not a baby kitten as they are too playful) - but young enough that your adult can stay the alpha cat. I would get another female, but that probably doesn't really matter a lot. My preference is because of the habit males have of spraying indoors.

Answer 7

Yes. Especailly since you are gone a lot. but do get one on a weekend or holiday when you don't have to work to see how they get along. Cats are very terriroial and they won't get along right away, but in a few days or so they should start. Especailly spending that much time together.
I am thinking maybe a kitten to keep the bigger one active. On the other hand you could get one the same age so they will have something in common.

Unless you want babie kitties I would suggest a girl cat.

Answer 8

If your cat seems bored, get it a playmate. I have a male cat, and felt so bad because he wanted to play, and we were always too tired after a long day to pay him any attention. He was 1.5 years old, and we got him a 6 week old kitten. After about a week, the two were chasing each other around the house and having a wonderful time :) Good luck!!

Answer 9

It is true some cats are very terratorial. It's hard to say if your cat will be more accepting of a kitten, an adult female, or an adult male.

If she does accept the new cat, don't be suprised if it takes up to a few months. In the meantime her behavior may change in protest. She may also show her displeasure by urinating outside of her cat box.

Answer 10

absolutely get another cat they will entertain each other. now people will say go the oposite sex but I have never worried about that as long as they are fixed I do recommend a young cat though. My female gives cattitude when I bring in another pet for at least a month. Make sure they have 2 litterboxes and 2 seperate places to eat. she can only guard one at a time from the baby. If you can keep the new one in a seperate room to get used to things for a few days and for the old one to get used to the smell. you can get a nice juvenile from the pound.