My cat is male and a indoors kitty. My dog on the other hand is a cocker spaniel and she has never bitten anyone in her life...a cat though...not our Marvolo. But I have been wanting to take in another kitty! I don't know what to do.
2007-03-28 17:34:58 · 7 answers · asked by c.animator 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
i think you should get the kitty but my opinion is to rescue the animal. i think it will take a couple weeks for the animals to get yoused to eachother (aspecailly the other cat) .!
best of luck!!
2007-03-28 17:39:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would think space is your biggest concern. First of all, be realistic about whether or not you'll have the space for the new addition. Cat's may not look like they need a lot of space, but every animal in your household needs their personal space. Everyone needs an area to retreat to if he/she isn't feeling up to congregating with the rest of the family. It's like how a person's bedroom is to them. Sometimes, they just want some quiet alone-time.
If you do have the space for another pet, the next step is to start looking for the perfect kitty. I would recommend adopting. Many, if not all, rescue groups/humane societies/animal shelters will let you bring your pets for a compatability meeting before you have to make the decision of whether or not to adopt that particular animal. Try to involve your current pets in the search as much as possible. Look for cats who have had experience with and are proven to be good with other cats and dogs. When you find a possible candidate for your new family member, arrange a get-together for all the animals with one of the workers/volunteers. Many places have special rooms just for this. I would suggest putting a barrier between the cat and your dog first. Since she's bitten a cat before, this makes it more likely that she may hurt the cat you're considering or get hurt herself. Tying her leash to something immovable, such as a ring on the wall, should be ok. This allows the cat to get away safely if your dog should decide that she doesn't like this cat. Your current cat and dog should influence most of your decision whether or not to adopt a certain cat.
After finding a cat that everyone gets along with, the next step is to introduce the new cat into your household. This must be done slowly. Nothing should be forced onto him/her. The move may cause him/her to be a bit reserved. Extra space where the cat can go and your other pets can't must be made for him/her. Your current cat and dog must be taught that the new cat is now a part of the household. If the new cat is particularly disturbed by the move, it might be a good idea to confine the new cat to a certain part of the apartment until he/she calms down. You can also do this even if he/she isn't disturbed. This would let the new cat get used to his/her new home more slowly and let your dog smell and hear the new addition before actually seeing him/her.
Good luck on everything. :)
2007-03-28 18:03:39 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just be sure to understand that your current cat may not like it, the dog may not either. It can take several weeks for cats and dogs to accept another pet in the family. Just be sure that you are ready to wait it out. I've got 9 cats and 2 dogs(I know its a lot, but they were all rescues) some of them got along fine within hours and some still aren't getting along very well and its been months. The cats seem to have a bigger problem accepting a new cat than the dogs(Then again the first dog wasn't too happy when I brought home the second one). And a lot of people baby the new pet...don't it isn't good for the current pets for you to ignore them. Either way Good luck
2007-03-28 17:45:33 · answer #3 · answered by Samantha B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes! I think it's a good idea for you to take in another kitty. Their not huge you know and I think it would be fine. Since you mentioned the cocker spanies, then even another dog as long as it's small too. If you had said you had like a st bernard lol I would say umm no lol. I would say even up to 4 pets if they are small. The more the marrier....to some degree. As long as you have enough love, room, and food to feed them then I think it's ok. Go for it. Good Luck.
2007-03-28 18:09:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can, you might want to think about fostering cats. I have done it for my local animal shelter and I love it. I am unable to keep the cats for the rest of there life, so they go up for adoption at the shelter. I foster because they get in so many unwanted kittens and puppies, and normally euthanize them. But its really hard to give them up. But Yea, I probably would get another cat. They can keep each other company while you are at. I would also suggest rescuing it. Thanks
2007-03-28 17:46:25 · answer #5 · answered by animluv 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you could get another pet - but dont be selfish.
firstly you are living in an apartment, so the space is already very limited - I hope you are taking your dog for daily walks, or he will pay for his inactivity as he get older through health.
each animal needs a certain amount of space, bringing in another animal will make the space available for the original two even smaller.
.
2007-03-28 17:42:13 · answer #6 · answered by raspberryswirrrl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on...how big your apartment is.
2007-03-28 17:40:46 · answer #7 · answered by Elena S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋