Getting a new kitten?

Question

I was planning on getting a kitten for my mom but we already have a female cat. I heard that cats get along better if they are of the opposite sex. Is that true? My cat is very sweet but before we got her (when my sister had her) she was very mean but I think that was because she was an outside cat and now she is always inside.
So would it be better if I got a male kitten, or does it not matter?

Also, what would be the best way to introduce them? We were recently babysitting a male cat for about 2 months and when he first arrived we just let him be and they eventually started playing with each other. Should I just let them do whatever or bring them into my room and slowly let them sniff each other while comforting both of them?

Answer 1

The sex really does not matter, introducing a kitten or a smaller cat to an adult cat is SOMETIMES easier but not always.
WHAT WORKS :
Cats(and dogs) are ruled by their nose and get so much info from smell. They get much more than we do and can smell much better than we can.
They need to smell the new kitty before they see it. The new kitty needs to smell the kitty already living with you also. Switch bedding or a towel or toy so they can sniff without seeing each other. Keep the new kitty in another room or even bathroom for a few days if possible. It may take a few weeks for them to get used to each other's scent but well worth it to keep the peace.
Some cats may never be best friends but just tolerate each other and some will become pals. If you use this process, the result is good. It is the language and etiquette of cat, very different from human etiquette and manners.
When they can be in the same room together, pay a lot of attention to the old kitty when the new kitty is around. Go heavy on treats and wet food and cat nip when the little kitten is around so that the old kitty associates "good stuff" when the kitten is around.Ignoring the old kitty is the worst thing to do. Make sure the old kitty knows it still has a place in your heart. They get very jealous!lol

Answer 2

You have a couple of options here.


First, think about getting a cat around the same age as your current cat. Kittens love to play and this can be very annoying to an older cat. Call shelters in your area and see if they have any older cats that have already come from a group home or are doing well in their current group situation.

Since you have a female, you can get another female or a male. Males are more territorial and sometimes like to "bully" the girl to show dominance. It fades quickly but you want to watch the situation closely. Another girl cat might do the same thing.


Either way, in the beginning you would like to keep your cats separate. Let them get used to one another slowly. Keep the new cat in a separate room and let them sniff one another through the door. Screen doors work great too. let the new cat stand outside while the other is in. cats need to take things slowly... they do no fall in love at first sight.

Before bringing a new cat home, go to the VET ASAP. Even though a cat or kitten got a clean bill of health from a shelter... it may not mean all is well. Most cats come home with a cold or some other communicable disease. Not all shelters are aware that a new cold or virus is floating around. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

Answer 3

I have 2 cats, one male, one female. My male is 2 years old and my female is 7 months old. The baby was living under my grandmothers porch and my aunt was freaking out about what to do with her. I said I would take her if Nico (my male) got along with her. Well, it was like old home week when we put the two of them together, no hissing or growling or anything. I couldn't even believe it. Nico had been the only animal in the house and was such a momma's boy it was ridiculous. I thought for sure he was going to gouge Chase's eyes right out. He played a little rough with her at first, but I think he just didn't seem to understand that she was just a baby and couldn't handle all the wrestling around. What I'm getting at is, would it be possible to take your cat with you to the shelter or wherever you plan on getting the kitten from? It might be best just to let your cat pick for you which one she likes.

If you can't do that though, the best thing to do is probably keep them seperate for a little while. Keep the kitten in a bedroom and once a day swap cats and let them wander around getting used to the scent of the other one for an hour or 2. It also helps if you are keeping them seperate, to feed them at the same time but on either side of the closed door. That way they will become more accustomed to the smell of the other one, plus they will associate the smell with dinner time/eating which in their eyes is a good thing :-)

Best of luck to you!

Answer 4

I'm not sure, but for me, they get along better when their of the opposite sex. When I got my first 2 cats, they were brother and sister, and they're best friends. They get along perfectly, they don't fight, they play together, sleep together..But the girl cat had kittens, and we kept two, who were both male. They fight alot and they stalk each other until it turns into a fight. We got them neutered and they got along a little better, but they still fought once in a while. It could also depend on the cat, but I think they'll get along better if you get a male kitten.

When you introduce them you should let them be, but watch them just in case something happens. Once they see each other you could go comfort them and play with them.

Good luck, hope this helps:)

Answer 5

i was told by my local Humane Society that having the cats be SAME sex is better.
Also, to introduce them with out fighting, its advised that you take a 2 pieces of towel or fabric of some kind, and rub it a bit on each one, then lay 1 piece by each cat. then they each can get used to each others scent before meeting.
also, have them separated where they can get close and see and smell each other but cant fight, like putting one in a cage and other out free. or one behind a screen door type something. see if they hiss, or are calm. if calm, then probably okay to play nice.
If HISS - probably need some time to adjust - Do NOT just present new cat to older cat.

Answer 6

take the cat in a air hole box lock out the older female cat in a room. then bring the older female cat into the room thats has the new cat in and the older cat will smell dont put the older cat into pressue.yes comfoert them both of you can special atenchin to the female and also you have a female if she spaned its best if it opaseat sex then it is best because two female will chalenge who is queen but you have a older female if your get a baby/3-4month old female cat the older female cat we treat it as her kitten even knowing she not I hope this helps you hehe.

Answer 7

We have 2 girl cats and 2 male cats, both of the boys are brothers and both of the girls are sisters.

I feel that the same sex is ok. Some boys put with girls or vis-versa hade alot of fights so we have to seperate them. Our 2 girls will (not play) fight, so they have to be seperated. anything works, i guess.