i'm thinking about getting another cat do i need 2 litter trays etc?

Question

i have a cat around 9 months old and i'm thinking about getting another kitten.
1st will they get on (or possible, i no there's always the chance they might not)

2nd do i need 2 of everything in the house???? litter trays etc

Answer 1

cats are like people, some are ok with sharing, others prefer to do things alone.

my girlfriend has 2 cats, and they're 16 years old. when they were younger, they always shared, but they got older and changed somewhat, and one of them hogs the food bowl so much that we use two bowls instead. the other cat also likes to have his own litter box, but its hard to stop the first cat from using both.

try to start with just one litter box, see how it goes from there. no point in spending the extra if you dont need to. if you see a dropping on the floor in front of the box, then you'll know you need another box.

good luck!

Answer 2

The rule is that each cat should have a litter tray etc. However, i have five who share 3 litter trays and 4 water bowls. I make sure the litter's clean and things are fine between them all. As far as your cat getting on with the new kitten that depends. Your cat is only 9 months so now would be a good time. Do everything slowly though, don't leave them together when your not in the room until they're used to each other.

Answer 3

Yes! You are in a perfect situation to have a cat as a pet. I live in a modest apartment and with my work schedule and travel I do not have time to care for a dog. I got my cat a year ago and he has seriously been a blessing to me. Cats instinctively use the litter box so there is little house breaking and you can leave food out all the time for them. They have great temperaments. My cat loves my company but he also does not mind his own time. Nothing better than having a cute face come greet you at the door after a hard days work and be able to cuddle up next to them on the couch. If you get a kitten though you will have more work. The animal shelter told me you can see more of what a cat's personality is if they are older. Good luck!!

Answer 4

I got another kitten when my first cat was about a year old. They are never going to be best buddies but they play together with only the occasional spat. My first kitty was very much the boss and would happily turf the other off a seat or bed that she regarded as hers. He is bigger than her now and she isn't so keen on taking him on! I didn't bother with two litter trays and they are happy to share - neither of them have pooped anywhere but in the tray! They have separate food bowls and three water bowls spaced around the house. I have two scratching posts which they use equally although they prefer the taller one now that they are bigger. If you treat them both equally they will get on fine but don't worry too much if there is a bit of power play at the beginning. Just remember that your new kitten will have a completely different personality to your first one - and novel ways of driving you mad!

Answer 5

It's quite likely that they will scream blue murder and even fight to start with. This can be awful for a couple of weeks and then they settle down amazingly well. You just need to grit your teeth through the early stages.

It's important to make the first cat feel important and not displaced by the newcomer. Fuss the first cat in preference to the second when they are together - this is hard! Let the first cat have the run of most of the house and introduce them slowly, initially only when supervised.

We have two cats, one litter tray, one waterbowl, and two food bowls. I have read that some cats will control another by controlling access to the litter tray, so two litter trays are better to start with and if you have any soiling problems.

We love having two cats, both of ours are Maine Coons which are beautiful large semi-longhair tabbies.

Answer 6

It might take a little time but the cats will grow accustomed to one another and could very well become friends. You'll definitely need two food dishes, but you can get away with only one water dish.

Three litter trays would be ideal -- but you could probably get away with one or two. It's recommended that you have one more litter tray than the number of cats. However, we've had two cats share 1 litter box successfully in the past -- just remember you'll have to clean them more frequently if you only have one.

Answer 7

1) You will not know if they get on until they meet, no way to guess but you can make it easier for them. The kitten might be too playful for your older cat so it the older one is getting annoyed, seperate them for a bit. Just keep an eye on them, they might tolerate each other or they might be best friends!

2) You should get another litter tray (they are only cheap anyway), if they use the same one then thats fine but they need the choice. You also need seperate food bowls so they can eat at the same time, but the same water bowl will be okay. Need seperate beds too. If they choose to share thats brilliant but get them seperate stuff to start with, plus the old cat will be well annoyed and confused if you let new kitten sleep in his bed and eat out of his bowl.

I think its a good idea to get another cat, they can keep each other company when you are not around, just make sure the old cat isn't too left out of your affections. Best of luck.

Answer 8

My cats share the litter box, but it is cleaned out very regularly. I leave one bowl of dried food down most of the time (since cats like to snack), but when I put out soft food at dinner and breakfast, they each have their own bowl.

Since you'll have to keep the cats apart for a little while, you might need to have an extra litter tray anyway. If you get a kitten, then see if you can hire a cage from the vets for it for the first few days. You'll be able to tell when it wants to play with the first kitten. Fuss it quite a bit (out of sight of your first kitten) so it starts to smell of you fast.

I'd second the suggestion to check out the animal rescue centres for cats that need new homes.

Answer 9

I would get another litter box for the new kitty. I have 2 kittens and I have 2 litter boxes. Also get two food and water dishes. You will need to keep the new kitty in a different room for about the first week though. Once they start playing "Footsie" underneath the door bring them out together and let them get used to each other. Again, that's what I did when I got my youngest kitty. Now they are inseparable. If I put one in the bedroom and the other in the living room, they will meow until they can be together.

Answer 10

When having cats it is best to have one more litter box then cats. Most don't like to share the litter box, and usually the extra litter box will prevent them from going on furniture, in the floor. With all animals you just have to test and give it time to see if they will accept each other. Some take right up, others can take a while. As kittens they seem to take to each other much easier than bringing in another adult cat. You will need one food dish for each cat, and as long as you have a variety of toys you should be fine not to have 2 of each toy. You may want to get each their own bed, unless they are like mine and sleep in the bed with you.