Should we get another cat?

Question

Me and my girlfriend adopted a 1 year old male cat about 2 months ago. It has been such a great addition to our house since then. The cat is really friendly, is never tempermental, and rarely gets into any trouble. Recently, we have been thinking about getting another cat. The main reason being that I work full-time during the week and my girlfriend does the same so the cat is alone for at least 8 hours a day. We were thinking recently of getting another cat so that our current cat wouldn't be so bored during the day and plus it'd be nice to have two cats. We're just worried if they will get along or not and if they will cause a lot of trouble. Does anyone have any advice or opinions? Thanks.

Answer 1

your cat is probably used to being alone by now when you get your new cat keep him in a crate to introduce him to your current cat. Then take him out and let them smell eachother under your supervision in case any trouble breaks out.

Answer 2

A female kitten or a slightly older one should work very well. Sometimes an existing male cat will "mother" a young kitten and be very protective and loving towards it. Not a sure thing and probably slightly less risky than getting another male. It's not a predictable thing at all because have different temperments which cannot be assessed in advance.

You might want to go to www.littlebigcat.com and read Dr. Jean Hovfe's article titled "Cat to Cat Introductions" for some ideas of what to expect and ways to go about the introduction.

I think it's a good idea. Single cats can become neurotic if they become too attached to the owners and another cat gives them the opportunity to form a bond with another of their own species.

Answer 3

In most cases, cats will find a way to co-exist. If they become best friends, there is no way to know. I just recently added a new cat to the mix because my younger cat was full of energy and always playing. Since the new addition, she quickly matured and seems to have the attitude that playing is beneath her. The two do play, and they do get along.

There are ways to introduce a cat into a cat household. When you bring the new cat home, leave it in the crate for your existing cat to 'check it out'. I wouldn't worry about them not getting along. There may be a few days or so where they don't want anything to do with each other, but over time, they will learn to live together. You may even get lucky and they become best friends.

Answer 4

We had an old cat (over ten years old!) who was showing his age. He basically 'moped' around the house and slept all day. My uncle found a litter of kittens, and we fell in love with one of them, so we brought it home. The two cats never fought, and the improvement in Tom, our old cat, was astonishing! He was much more active after that. He would play with and nuzzle the kitten. It was very cute!
I say get another cat! It fights off loneliness, and I'm sure they have as much fun playing with each other as we have watching them!
I don't know if your cat is male or female, but I hear that it is unwise to get two male cats, as they have more trouble getting along than female/female or male/female combinations. However, I don't know this from experience.
One disadvantage to having two cats (the only one that I can think of) is that if one of them gets a parasite, such as ear mites, the other one will get it too, making the parasite much more difficult to get rid of. (one will pass it to the other, who will pass it back, and so on.)
Overall though, I say getting another cat is a great idea!

Answer 5

It would be nice for your cat to have some company. Lonely cats can get neurotic and scratch up the furniture or stop using the litter box. You may have some problems when you first bring the new cat home. Ask the vet for advice in introducing your new pet.

Answer 6

I think it's a great idea. I had the same situation, they hissed at each other for the first couple days then about a week later were giving each other baths. They love each other now, and the first kitty we got doesn't destroy the furniture anymore. They play all the time. If you love cats two are great!

Answer 7

Sounds like a wonderful idea.

You'll probably have about 2 weeks of your first cat hating you and snarling at the new cat, but after that it should be smooth sailing.

It helps to get cats around the same age, so a younger one wont be pestering the older one.

Answer 8

Yes! I just adopted a female kitten (6 months ) a couple weeks ago to provide companionship for my 5 year old male kitten! Both are neutered and spayed! Your other cat may take some time adjusting to the newbie so I would recommend seperating them while you are at work! This way they can hear and smell eachother (indirect contact) without feeling threatend! This gives them the ability to become familiar with eachother at their own pace! I did this for three days (time varies)! When I first brought the kitten home my 5 year old felt very threatend, would hiss constantly, expand his tail, and slap her! My kitten (feral) was very timid and scared! We seperated them while we were at work and would let them interact (under our supervision) when we got home! Things may seem intense at first but it gets better! I finally got them to make direct contact (with no hostility) on the third day and they have been the best of friends ever since! I cannot seperate the two of them... Now my overweight 5 year old is lively, active, and happy! I work full-time and got tired of seeing my 5 year old just laze around looking depressed! My kitten was the anti-dote he needed! They get along so well now! Have patience, and introduce them slowly so they are not traumatized by eachothers reactions! I will post some great sites that give explanation on how to introduce (gradually) one pet to another! Best of Luck! Make sure to give both cats an equal amount of attention and affection! Definitley adopt and Do not declaw!!! http://www.thecatsite.com/Care/19/The-MultiCat-Household.html and http://www.thecatsite.com/Behavior/49/Id-like-you-to-Meet...-Introducing-Cats.html Great advise on introducing cats to eachother!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! http://www.thecatsite.com/Care/18/Bringing-Home-a-New-Cat.html

Answer 9

If you do they will get along with eachother eventually or they will stake out seperte places in the house as their own and each one will have a favirot person. they will play with eachother too in most cases. Your cat prolly enjoys the time away from you more than you know Cats are highly intelligent and like to be left to their own devices. Just rember your cat is fully grown if you bring in another bring in a baby less chance for it to be mean and hatefull to a baby. tell him it is his baby more than likely he will take the baby in under his wings and take care of him/her and they will be best buddies. Bringing in another adult cat can cause problems in the fact they may not like eachother for having been alone for so long. Your choice. I have had several cats and have seen Cats that just dont like having other cats in their house, but bring in a baby and they are just fine. On the other hand you find out you Cat just does not want another cat. You know your cat best, but take his feelings in to any choice you make because a unhappy cat will make your life a living hell. They will pee all over your house, destroy your belongings and tear up your furniture. They will most like pee on the person's belongings they are unhapy with. Good Luck.

Answer 10

I've been adopting cats for years and they have all always gotten along after a week or 2.