getting another cat when you already have one?

Question

I had 2 cats. I sadly had to let one go because she would not stop peeing all over(my ex GF took her). I tried everything to get her to stop,had her the vets twice. So, I had to let her go.

Thing is, its been about 5 weeks since the other cat was here and the lone cat I have is driving me crazy. She just been nuts. I know she needs a friend. I'm moving in about a month so obviously I'm going to wait till I'm moved but I'm debating if a kitten or a full grown cat is better. I'm scared my cat will get jelious of a kitten but I'm also scared that a full grown cat will fight with my current one. Not sure what to do.

Answer 1

You should get a kitten because then the fighting that does occur wont be so severe. My full grown cat didn't like our kitten at first, they would just run circles around our house after each other but it only lasted a few days. If you don't spoil the kitten more than the cat then there will be no need for it to be jealous.

Answer 2

Go to a shelter and get a cat around the same age as yours. The shelter will advise you which cats get on with others so you can choose one of them.
I have introduced both adult cats and kittens into households with cats and I have found that if an adult cat is lonely it is better to introduce one of the same age.

A kitten can cause a lot more problems with it's greater needs.
Don't forget you will have to adopt a totally different feeding regime for a kitten than a cat. Kittens need to be fed a number of times a day with kitten food. It will have to be fed totally separate from the adult and you cant let the adult eat the kitten food as it will put on too much weight. Adult cat food does not have the nutrients a kitten needs.
So all in all when you take into consideration a high maintenance kitten that can be injured by the adult and is an unknown quantity with personality; and bringing in an adult cat that has already shown it will get on with others and can be fed the same food at the same time as the other ......... I would suggest and adult of the same age

Answer 3

Trust me.. you have to get a kitten.

Adult cats tolerate and accept kittens MUCH more easily than they do an adult.

let's just say that in my 27 years experence with cats, I have NEVER had a problem getting an adult cat to accpept and befriend a new kitten. Takes a couple weeks, but ALWAYS works out.

But the ONE time we got an adult and brought it home.. it was one full YEAR until it could be in the same room as our other cats without a screaming match/fight.

You are MUCH safer to go with a kitten. THey'll likely become good friends. Just don't worry if there's hissing at first, within a couple weeks, they should be doing good.

If you're worried about jealousy, just make sure you give your older cat plenty of love and attention. She'll be fine.

Answer 4

Normally, one of the opposite sex is the best choice. That being said, cats vary by individual. Most adult cats find the antics of a kitten to be very annoying. The kitten just wants to play nonstop, and your resident cat is doubly annoyed. First, there's an invader in her space. Second, that invader harasses her constantly. Moving will probably make your cat a bit less territorial towards the new cat.
From what I've seen, the more a cat is around some kind of change, other animals, cats, a busy home, the more likely it seems to be to accept another cat as a friend. My adult cats are accustomed to a steady stream of foster cats. For the most part, they don't even blink an eye. The secret is knowing how to introduce them in a way that doesn't offend your resident cat. I pretty much add adult foster cats right into the resident cat population once they've passed their quarantine time. I have just about no fighting. There is the occasional swat, but, no injuries.
First, keep 'new kitty' in it's own room for the whole first week. Do not allow any face to face interaction no matter how curious either one of them seem. Cats are very much affected by smell and just the smell of new kitty being their will be enough sensory interaction for week one. Get new kitty used to using that particular room as 'home base'. That way, new kitty will (hopefully) continue to use his own box and dishes when first established with original kitty.
Second week, is more look but don't touch. You want them to be able to see each other, but not be able to physically interact with each other. There will probably be a lot of growling and hissing from both of them, mostly though from your original cat. Just supervise closely while letting out new kitty for brief periods of time. Depending on how this goes, you'll probably have to do this for at least another week.
By about week 4 with new kitty, he/she should be able to be free in the same area as original kitty most of the time. If you notice a lot of growling, or that one is pestering the other, put new kitty in his room to give each of them a time out. It takes months for cats to get accustomed to one another. Just make sure you have one more litterbox then you have cats and give them time away from each other.

Answer 5

If no cat wanted to be around another one, young or old, you would only have single pet ownerships.

We've introduced youngsters to adult cats, and adult cats to adult cats, they all get along pretty well if left to themselves to work it out and nobody pushes the new cat in their faces to 'deal' right away.

The key is to introduce slowly. Putting the new one on the other side of the bathroom door or into the basement, so the regular cat can smell them first, helps a lot.

Then putting the new cat in a carrier with a towel covering most of the wire door, putting that in the center of the main room and leaving them in the carrier for 2 hours so your cat can investigate but the other can't touch them, that helps too. Then keep them separated for the first two nights or when you can't be there to supervise.

It works out ok, you just need to keep everyone calm, including yourself, and let them get used to the fact there's something new in the environment.

Answer 6

A kitten. Up to a year old. "fixed" if 5 or more months old.
Your cat that you have already will hiss & carry on but she's just making a few rules, and making sure the new kit treats her with a little respect.

Answer 7

It is more difficult to introduce 2 adult cats than it is to introduce a kitten to an adult cat. But it is not impossible. Just needs time and patience. Your cat might be jealous of a new kitten but it will get used to it.

Answer 8

def. Get a kitten. It will be easier for them to get along. older cats don't do well with other older cats. unless since birth. When you get the kitten home keep it in a carrier for a couple hours with the older cat in the same room. let the older one sniff out his new friend before letting it out

Answer 9

Short and Simple Answer: Get a kitten. Cats understand age and will be less aggressive towards a kitten.

Answer 10

Cats adapt.. just keep it all in the same sex. I always had male cats and as I introduced them into the household they would have their skirmishes and then they get over it.
Just let them do their pecking order stuff they look like they might kill each other but its mostly just sizing each other up.
I always got kittens from the pound around 8 weeks old.. now I go to rescue places they don't cost as much and less paperwork. Try petfinder.com put in your zip code to get rescues in your area.