My girlfriend wants to get a new kitten after we move into our new place in two weeks. She thinks that we should get the new kitten ASAP (like within two weeks) of moving in, so that our current cat (who is a one and a half) will not feel as dominant in the space.
I'm worried that a new place, me moving in with my girlfriend, and a new kitten might be too much for my cat. I don't want to overwhelm her. But my gf thinks that is the perfect time to get a kitten. I'm not super worried, but she doesn't have me convinced.
Thoughts? I'm particularly interested in people who've had experiance with introducing new cats to older cats or who've worked in the vet/shelter/pet psych field.
2006-08-02 17:59:57 · 8 answers · asked by dani_kin 6 in Pets ➔ Cats
I am a Vet Tech.
I think the best idea is to move and get a kitten all at the same time. Here's why:
Cats are territorial, creatures of habit, and hate change. If you are going to upset all of that, do everything at once. If she needs her annual vet visit and vaccines, do that now as well. She will do better if she has one or two stressful days, and then settle in to all the new changes, than to settle for awhile then have another set of upheavals.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Good Luck.
2006-08-02 18:08:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As I am not a vet tech, I do work at a cat shelter rescue, and have seen SO many cats come back, due to unproper introductions. If the introduction doesn't go well, the whole relationship of the cats will be altered, and probably to disliking by you, and your girlfriend. I have 4 male cats, all introduced to one another at different ages. 2 of which where introduced to a new male adult cat shortly after a move. I would personally wait until EVERYONE is settled in at the new place. If theres so many things going on at once, everyone tends to forget something. It could also be dangerous to a kitten to be around moving furniture,boxes,cords, etc. I would wait until the cat you have now, adjusts to its new home, and can establish its new surroundings. Let it familiarize itself with the new location of the litter box, before he shares it. Let him find a place of his own solitary moments, before he shares that! Thats what we had done, before we brought our new adult male into the family. It took 4 days of adjustment, and they've been sleeping together ever since! I would wait, and hope you do! Good luck with everything.
2006-08-03 05:45:44 · answer #2 · answered by dreamkillerkitten 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the vet tech, and your girlfriend. If your resident cat hasn't established her dominance over the space, it will be less likely to be very threatened by a new kitten. Also, you may want to get a kitten of the opposite sex--females like to compete with each other, as do males.
2006-08-02 18:34:15 · answer #3 · answered by kwpdb8 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would wait until you move. This is stressfull on human or animal. Many times they do not understand and get frightened and bolt out the door. The move will be very stressful for your cat and do not add more stress. When we moved we brought the cat in first and put him in a bed room with the door closed he had his bed, litter, food and water. When it quieted down we let him out to get used to his new home. It went very smooth. Good luck.
2006-08-02 18:08:10 · answer #4 · answered by pet matcher 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heres the plan... get the new kitty now. Keep it seperated in a room from old kitty for a couple of days to let old kitty get used to the idea that there is a new kitty, but without new kitty invading old kitty's space. Then the meeting should be less stressfull for old kitty, and then hopefully you can all move as a big ol happy family.
2006-08-02 18:07:29 · answer #5 · answered by naclayclay 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think that it should be done ahead of time due to the fact that the older cat will get to know the new cat that way when you move in w/ your partner both cats can explorer the same territory at the same time. instead of the older one feeling like it is his or her territory and tearing up things in the house because his or her feeling are hurt becuase you have a new cat. that will make them feel left out.
2006-08-02 18:24:01 · answer #6 · answered by terry b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
After, the elder one needs time to adjust to its new digs. Why confuse two of them?
2006-08-05 16:17:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
wait till you move in so everyone can settle in then get the kitten
2006-08-02 18:05:37 · answer #8 · answered by Lisa R 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋