I have had my black cat, Sabrina, for nearly 7 years now, and she has been a blessing. My birthday is coming up, and I am hoping to buy another kitten. The thing is, I'm not sure if Sabrina can cope with another animal. I tried having a puppy, and the cat was furious with me! (The puppy didnt last long at my house; I had to put her up for adoption.) Sabrina is very sweet with smaller animals than herself, but should I take the risk of getting another kitten? Please help!
2007-01-14 14:44:07 · 16 answers · asked by Avalee S. 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
As some of the previous respondents have noted, cats are very territorial animals. That is why I haven't got another cat to go with my current one. That said, only you can decide whether or not to get another cat or kitten.
What I have heard is that some people, when they introduce another cat to the family, they place the new cat in a separate room with water, food, and litter box for a few days and introduce the new cat to the incumbent cat very gradually over a period of a week or so. This is supposed to help the cats get to know each other. Even with this suggestion, you should be prepared for some hostility on Sabrina's part.
2007-01-14 14:57:06 · answer #1 · answered by blue nickel 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have done this many times, all successfully.
The first thing you need to decide is whether this kitten will be YOUR pet or Sabrina's pet. It sounds like Sabrina has already let you know she is TOP CAT in your house, so that means most likely the kitten will be HER pet.
With this in mind, all you have to do is what has already been suggested, which is to take it slow in the introduction.
The last intro I did was just last month. I introduced a young male kitten (newly neutered) to my adult female alpha kitty. He stayed in my youngest son's bedroom for a week, but my female cat knew he was there, and they played "footsies" under the door.
The first supervised visit occurred after a week. I held her and one of my boys held him. There was just a little growling, no hissing (which is very unusual!). After about three minutes, we put him in the cat carrier. After ten minutes, we switched them to her being in the carrier.
Then the next day, we had a longer supervised visit. By the end of that second week, they were familiar enough with each other to run and play together.
It has been a month now, and they are pretty much inseparable. Main thing is she gets more attention than he does. That's the rule.
Also, her food did not change, nor her cat dishes. He has his own (kitten) food and he has his own dishes. She does notice this.
2007-01-14 15:01:36 · answer #2 · answered by Pixie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A female cat had a litter of kittens in our home and we kept one, so he's only known us. We have a dog, and they get along great! We got another kitten when Harry (the cat) was about 2 years old and we were kind of worried about his reaction. Darn if little Fred (new kitten) didn't start nursing off poor Harry (both males!). Harry was as gentle and loving as he could be and allowed it. They get along great. Both are now neutered and get along fine. But, there are instances where two cats just don't like each other. I would say since Sabrina is a female (is she spayed?) she might adapt well to a baby. Just remember to give her as much attention, if not more, for the first few days.
2007-01-14 14:58:00 · answer #3 · answered by lucy7 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
having another kitten is a good thing. but the problem is of course that Sabrina might do what she did to the puppy. an idea is that if you have a friend that has a kitten, bring sabrina over and see if they get along. you will know f sabrina likes to be with another kitten or not.....but it always take time for animals to get along with each other.
2007-01-14 14:55:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why not bring sabrina to the shelter where you are planning on adopting? Some shelters have a private area where you can spend time handling the new kitten, and you can see how Sabrina reacts to the new kitten. Just beware that being out of her surroundings might be threatening enough, and she may give a harsher reaction.
2007-01-14 14:51:49 · answer #5 · answered by lindy154 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you adopt a kitten make sure you have an understanding that you can return it if things don't work out. Also be sure to slowly introduce them and don't be surprised if Sabrina needs a few days or weeks to accept and adjust to the change.
2007-01-14 14:49:07 · answer #6 · answered by Mario G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be a problem. Cats are very territorial. You should have gotten a kitten at the same time you got Sabrina so they would both have the same claim on you. Ask your vet for tips on introducing a new kitten into the household.
2007-01-14 14:48:51 · answer #7 · answered by notyou311 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What you do is take the mama's kitten and rub the bottom of that kitten all over the new kitten. The mama will accept the kitten once she smells it. Works like a charm.
2016-05-24 03:31:40 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a hard call to make. I have always had cats and not one was adopted at the same time. Some where adults and some were kittens and mine learned to co-exist. More often then not, they do learn to live in peace and very often they will become buddies.
2007-01-14 23:29:58 · answer #9 · answered by KathyS 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
umm, have youre cat ever had any problems with other cats before ? i meant had she ever harm or go near any cats when you got her ? if not that i dont think will be wrong with you getting another kitten . but you do get another kitten then just have the new kitten stay in the cage see if youre cat will come get to know eachother then see if she will like the new kitten by having her smell it then. you can just let them play eachother by not having them get into fight . well good luck .
2007-01-14 15:02:18 · answer #10 · answered by sk 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋