My cat had a best friend our dog and she just recently passed away and my cat seems lonely and withdrawn. I want another cat but I dont want there to be a territorial thing going on (spraying)!! Which is better to get for a new friend for him another neutered male or a spay female?
2006-09-02 16:23:09 · 9 answers · asked by Sue Q 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
it probably dont matter if you get male or female as long as they are both fixed. your kitty will be happy to have a new friend good luck
2006-09-02 16:29:28 · answer #1 · answered by feline 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So sorry to hear that your Kitty's best friend has passed away. I had a cat and dog that were the best of friends, too.
My experience with male, neutered cats is that they are very mellow. If you wish to get a companion for your little guy, I would suggest another male cat, maybe a little younger (not a real young kitten) and yes, definitely, neutered.
I believe that your cat can still see your dog and may be a little confused that you don't see him as well. Cats can see spirit (that has been my experience) and he may also be reacting to your sadness about the dog's death.
For more insight into this please check out:
www.questforhealth.com
Your Kitty is, quite naturally, grieving. I'm sure you are as well.
There will be some territorial squabbles, because that's quite natural. A few drops of RESCUE REMEDY in their water for a few days will help with that.
ASK your cat if he would like another cat in the house. You WILL get an answer. That is where the above website can help you if you'd like to check it out. You can call the lady at the 'phone number listed on the site.
Bless you and Kitty and thank you for considering adoption of another cat. You are a wise cat-person!
2006-09-02 16:38:28 · answer #2 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It seems counter-intuitive, but I've read that cats of the same gender are more likely to get along. That's been the case in my fairly limited experience.
I'd suggest a young adolescent, maybe a year or so old. Young males often look up to older ones and want to make friends with them, like a little kid who wants to hang out with the big kids. Often the older cat responds to the adulation and takes the younger one on as sort of a protege. My late great Rusty had several younger proteges over the years, and so has my friend's neutered male.
A kitten might be good, but it might drive you older cat nuts wanting to play all the time. If you get a kitten it might be best to get two. That way they can keep each other busy playing and the older guy can join in when he feels like it.
I think an adolescent is probably best. If you contact rescue groups near you (check petfinder.com) you can let them know what you're looking for and they might have just the kitty you need available for adoption. They often hold their rescues in foster homes, so the foster parents will know their personalities. They should be able to hook you up with a youngster who likes other cats and isn't aggressive towards them.
If the new kitty isn't aggressive and sucks up to your older one, and if the older guy likes being looked up to and admired, they won't get into conflicts and you should be able to avoid scent wars.
Rescue groups will pretty much always let you take a kitty on trial, so if it doesn't work out they'll take it back.
2006-09-02 18:47:13 · answer #3 · answered by Mick 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rescue Remedy is great to help in cat adjustments. If you bring in an older cat from a shelter or a homeless one the RR will be great for it too.
Don't put the RR in the water. Cats just don't drink enough water to do any good here. You just shake the bottle well and put it on the cats' fur between their ears. You treat the cats as often as you can during the day and evening. Probably a week or ten days should be enough. You will still have some left in the bottle, it seems to go on forever.
2006-09-02 16:45:51 · answer #4 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Neutered males are generally the most laid back. A kitten would be best.
It's a good idea to keep them apart at first especially while your away. If you put the kitten in a separate room with 2 toys attached by a string running under the door they can play together without face to face confrontation. Eventually by the time you put them together they will already be used to each other by smell.
Ask you vet for more transition ideas. Cats really do need companions.
2006-09-02 16:35:25 · answer #5 · answered by robyn o 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a friend who has two neutered males and one spayed female...it really depends on the cats background if your adopting one...if your buying one you can train it no to be so Territorial..i adopted my cat and the previous owner had three cats and he was very Territorial with the spraying...hes fine now but i read on line that the spraying is mostly for cat who aren't neutered...hope that helps...good luck
2006-09-02 16:32:09 · answer #6 · answered by Lifeisahighway29 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. To answer you question, Either one would be fine, just introduce them slowly. I have a male cat who has been neutered and I brought in a female kitten. He was 8 yrs old at the time, he was great with her. He took the parent role. Then a year later I brought in another female cat. Again, he took the parent role. The other female cat didn't mind a bit. And just last year I took in a stray (male) who had been abused. All 3 of my cats just loved him. Just remember to introduce them slowly and they will get along just fine. You could talk to you vet with further questions, they are always there for you.
Good Luck
2006-09-02 16:36:11 · answer #7 · answered by mkb 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well if you get a female you might have them doing things eve though there fixed its a domanice thing but with too males you might have spraying it all depends on the cats you have
2006-09-02 16:29:01 · answer #8 · answered by xxrayenecioxx 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Female is better
2006-09-06 10:00:36 · answer #9 · answered by Sydney 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋