i have a very old cat at my mom's house...she's about 17 years old, give or take some...she front declawed, very over weight and lazy...no signs of sickness, but very mean towards anyone except my parents, and sometimes me if im luck. I myself had just gotten a new kitten to live at my apartment. My mom is now very jealous and wants a kitten, she loves kittens and also feels that it might bring back some life into my old cat. She's also worried that the old cat (patch is her name by the way) will try to hurt the new one and she doesnt want anything like that to happen. Do you think it's safe to bring a new one into the house?? I know they might hate eachother for awhile, but they can adjust...what do you suggest?
2006-09-01 01:47:30 · 13 answers · asked by sassy2sloppy 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
just because shes over weight doesnt mean shes sick...shes always been like that, even as a baby! and yes she is old, but as i said before, and not to be mean, this cat isnt going to die anytime soon!
2006-09-01 01:57:23 · update #1
Patch did not come with me because of age and change...and we played so many tricks on her when i was so young that now she has a grudge, so trading IS NOT AN OPTION!
2006-09-01 02:05:06 · update #2
the kitten is not for me, i already have one, its for my mom at her house
2006-09-01 02:45:06 · update #3
Just a correction - if the cat is very much overweight, that is a sign of illness of itself - obesity. (check out http://catnutrition.org/obesity.html - An overweight cat is a cat suffering.)
Anyway, I think that if the introduction is done properly (see the article at www.littlebigcat.com for directions), the two cats will eventually work it out, and live together OK. If you just drop a kitten on the old cat... even with the old cat declawed, I wouldn't be sure of the kitten's safety.
Good luck :)
And please, if you have some pity on the poor kitten, the one that lives with you... do not declaw. There are other ways to avoid unwanted scratching which are much more healthy than that.
2006-09-01 01:53:43 · answer #1 · answered by AlphaOne_ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cat companionship
It appears that cats vary as they get older, some mellow, some become cantankerous, some actively seek the company of other cats. The less tolerant and more remote were quite often those in households with kittens or young cats. The constant movement and play is not helpful to an old cat who just wants some peaceful uninterrupted sleep, so the idea that a new kitten will give an old cat a new lease of life is not always the case.
This subject seemed to grip the owners surveyed. It is interesting to note the number of cats who improved tremendously when new kittens were introduced. I do not feel this is a behaviour unique to old age. Similar instances have been reported in younger cats. The relevance of age is that the companions have often been together for a very long time and the desire for routine and lack of change appears to be heightened in the elderly. The loss of a long-term friend creates a profound difference in the household — grieving humans, changes of routine and the absence of a familiar part of the family unit probably causes the distressed calls and searching to try and return things to normal. The introduction of a kitten is sometimes the trigger which stops the unsettling behaviour by occupying the mind with a new source of company.
2006-09-01 10:28:10 · answer #2 · answered by whiskercreek 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let Patch retire in peace. She has been Queen of her hill for so long now, don't make her last few years upsetting by giving her a kitten. Cats hate change. If you'd like to try putting in the new kitten you have with Patch and see if she can take it you could try. If it does not work, you could always take kitten back.
Or you could trade with your mother, you take Patch and Mom takes kitten.
Remember kitten will be a cat in a year or so. Patch has given 17 years of cat services and deserves a comfortable old age.
2006-09-01 09:01:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
17 is getting up there in years for a cat. Personally, I would wait until the inevitable day comes when your mom's cat goes to the Rainbow Bridge. Although the cat may accept a kitten, more likely it will annoy her.
Kittens are fun, but can be a challenge swinging from the drapes and other less desirable things. The nice thing is, when they grow up, they are a wonderful companion and easy to care for.
By the way, please go to www.cfa.org for an excellent article on declawing - don't recommend it!
In the meantime, have your mother over to enjoy your new kitten! :-)
2006-09-01 10:20:00 · answer #4 · answered by Ragdoll Kitty 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
HI there...some senior cats really don't adjust well to a new kitten. However, it truly depends on the individual personality as well. Being an overweight, mellowed down cat will not perk up much more even with young life romping about. She may actually become depressed as the new kitten would be getting more attention from everyone. I also agree with another answer already given that it would be probably best to allow her to live out her life kindly instead of tempting a stressful introduction at her age.
2006-09-01 09:00:00 · answer #5 · answered by ♪ Seattle ♫ 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I had an older cat about 10 and he was a little cranky too. So I got a kitten from the Humane Society and brought it home I kept in a rabbit cage for about a month, and took her out everyday to play, till the new cat could get use of the scent of the kitten and then I let them together. They had so spats at first and soon they were best friends. My older cat still makes it known that I am his owner and that the younger one needs to know that, he makes himself pretty clear in cat tongue. I would go with it but you need to introduce them to each other slowly.
2006-09-01 08:57:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will bring life to her all right: hunting the kitten!! They might adjust after at least a month or two, but till then the kitten will be in danger. Plus the old cat is perhaps too old to accept changes of status.
2006-09-01 09:08:10 · answer #7 · answered by cpinatsi 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Cats detest change. Bringing a kitten into your mother's home would be a mistake. Although I don't think he would hurt the kitten, I'm positive they will not get along. The kitten will want to play and ol patch is not going to want to be a part of any of it.
2006-09-01 08:56:13 · answer #8 · answered by tallerfella 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If this cat is so old, surely it would be kinder to let her end her days in peace, without the hassle of competing with a new kitten. Your mum could have a kitten when this cat has passed away. I think it would be far kinder to the cat to pamper her in her final days and not stress her out with a new kitten.
2006-09-01 08:54:56 · answer #9 · answered by debbie t 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
can you bring your kitten over to your parents house for a play date and see how the cat will react to the kitten. it will give you somewhat of an idea of what to expect if your mom was to get a kitten, maybe let the kitten spend the weekend there.
2006-09-01 09:08:52 · answer #10 · answered by macleod709 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋