Which would be the best for my 5 years old female cat?A four months old kitten or a comperatively older adult?

Question

My cat has always been alone.Now we think she should have an accompany but she is definitely going to have an attitude against him for the start.Which one could take her attitude or gain her heart?A 4 month old male kitten or a 2 years old adult male?An active cat or a shy and calm cat?Please give me some ideas.I can't sleep because of thinking!

Answer 1

I got a 4 month old male kitten for my female cat 2 weeks ago and lost much sleep worrying about it. We followed a very similar process that michele_cat_cyprus gives you a link to. The introduction process Steps 1 to 3 are at least as important as the cat you ultimately choose. For my part I think it's more important. Do it wrong and you prolong the unavoidable battle period and risk ending up with 2 cats that will hate each other for the next 10+ years.

Here's what I can add:
1) I'd personally choose a 4 month old, but if I picked an older one I wouldn't pick one over 1 1/2 year as by 2 years of age a cat's personality traits are pretty much set and less easily changed; and you want the new cat to be able to change to fit in.

2) Your highest chances of success will be if you get a kitten/young cat that knows "kitty manners", specifically how to behave towards adult cats. Kittens also learn "kitty manners" from litter mates, but a hiss, growl, swat, bite from another kitten usually mean "LET THE GAMES BEGIN" whereas the same behavior from an adult means "I"M NOT GOING TO TELL YOU AGAIN". You want the new kitten you bring in to know how to defer to the resident, adult cat. If the kitten does this, is respectful I mean, your cat will not feel as challenged and things will go much more smoothly.

2) If your cat is active, ideally you want a kitten that is about the same activity level, with slightly less active being the ideal. The idea is that if you cat is pretty active and playful, she will eventually be intrigued when she sees the kitten playing. If she is more shy or likes quiet, she won't want a super active kitten flying through the house like a banshee at all hours of the night, it will be threatening to her.

3)If at all possible don't pick a shy kitten. Shy and calm are not related. A shy kitten is scared. A calm kitten is either oblivious or confident. What you want is a calmer, self-confident kitten. You definitely don't want the most dominant kitten in the litter, nor the shy one that hides under a table. You want something in the middle

4)Buy a collar(with one of those annoying bells)for the new kitten once you bring them together. It will allow your cat to know where the little upstart is so she isn't unexpectedly surprised by it.

5)Your must seriously restrain yourself from holding, hugging, talking fondly to and especially sleeping with the new kitten (within sight of your cat) during the introductory process. This can be a total deal-breaker.

If you're planning to get a kitten from a shelter, whether a kitten has "kitty manners" or is too dominant, etc. are things you likely won't know for sure about the kitten unless you spend a lot of time there. A cat from a good breeder would be better since they can help you select. Also, some rescues use foster parents exclusively and kittens are raised in harmonious colony environments with great care given to placement. This is something you would have to do some research on depending on how important you think it is to pick the right kitten/cat.

Hope some of this helps you. It's nice that you want to find just the right age and personality mix in a kitten/cat to make your girl happier. It was important to me when I did it too. Best of luck!

Answer 2

From my experience - and I've had cats for 26+ years (lots of different combinations over the years) - I've found that it's much easier to introduce a kitten rather than an adult. Cats especially seem to have a tolerance for kittens - like they know they're learning - and therefore a kitten is more readily accepted than an adult.

You're right - she's not going to like it one bit from the beginning - but that doesn't mean she won't come around. How active is she? If she's only 5 I'm assuming she's still playful some. A kitten may just put her into her second childhood. And - a kitten isn't going to be calm - unless it's not healthy - at least I've never known one to be.

Not knowing your cat, it's hard to say what she'd more readily accept - but you've got a keen sense of her....and I would bet if you followed your heart - you'll be right on the money. When you go to select a companion for her - take your time - and if possible watch the animal with other animals. By all means do not bring home one that seems to dominate others....they need to be a bit submissive and "respect their elders".

I brought home a 12 week old kitten in December for my 2 year old male - the two girls were getting tired of him and he was getting a bit more agressive with them. So - in comes Ziggy Bob - and I was lucky! They are bonded and play and love on each other....it's been an extremely good match. In my 26 years of cat ownership - this is one of the best ones we've had!

Just remember - you're a responsible and devoted pet owner - whatever you decide - you'll do what it takes to make it work...

Good luck and get some sleep - dream of kittens!

M.

Answer 3

There has been a disturbance in the force and the top kitty is a little peeved she is not the only child. You need to give more than a couple of days for the cats to get used to the kitten. Of course the kitten has no problems since she's just a baby and is pretty clueless about being a Mean Girl. When you first brought the kitten home you should have put the kitten, litter box, food, water, toys, etc. in a bathroom or laundryroom so that she could get used to her new home and your cat could have just sniffed through the door until she got more used to having a foreigner invading her turf. Please make sure both your kitties get spayed so you won't have any unwanted kittens in the future.

Answer 4

Females can be, how do I put this nicely........ grumpy?!! I have cats.....many cats..... I have a female that is 14. Over the years when I have brought in new cats I found that she excepted the younger ones better and formed a bond with them. The one I brought in that was around 5 months old, she HATES to this day. I'd go for the kitten if I were you.

Answer 5

I suggest the kitten, because your older cat is a female In time I'm sure her nature will kick in a mother the kitten. I would suggest introducing them slowly at first. Maybe leave the kitten in the carrier for just a short while, so that your female will have time to get the kittens scent. she will at first show the kitten that it is her territory, and the kitten will have to learn the older cats rules. But I'm sure the female will come around. If you introduce an older feline I'm afraid you will have territory problems. Good luck in your decision

Answer 6

Cats, particularly females are very territorial. If your cat has always been an "only child" are you sure that she will appreciate having a friend. Not all cats are happy sharing their home with others.

If you do decide to adopt another cat it's always best to choose one that is smaller, younger and the opposite sex as they will be seen as less of a threat by the existing cats. Try to match them by personality as this will help them get along better.

The web article below offers advice on how to choose a friend for your cat and then how to introduce them to each other.

http://www.tulsa-animalshelter.org/tips/intro%20cat.htm

Good luck.

Answer 7

She might sort of play mother to the kitten if you get that, so they'll get along. She mgith bat at him when he annoys her, but that's natural and as long as no ones getting hurt(which isn't likely to happen) everything would be fine with that.
Idk how an older cat would react to a cat that's 2 years old.

Answer 8

cats are difficult to understand. my 2 female cats couldn't accept any cats that i tried to bring in, including kittens. Try to make some observation of your cat. See how she react towards other cats around your neighbourhood then only you make the decision.

Answer 9

wow this question brings back a lot of memories :(

you should go with the younger cat because if you buy an older cat, your current cat with get attached quicker because your new one is more "mature" and is closer to death, and if this older cat were to die (and i know this from experience... it happened too many times in my day) your current cat will literally go into depression and will near death very quickly.. im not even joking. if you bring a younger cat into the house, your current cat might be very hesitant in accepting his/her new bro/sis but will get along with it in no time

Answer 10

get the cat not the kitten the kitten will want to play and ur cat wont and theyll get in a fight