Getting a 2nd cat to Keep my Cat Company? Not Sure..
Hello!
I just moved out of my parents' house where there were 2 cats: my 3 year old boy, Chase and a five year old girl, Dusty (my mom's cat).
I found Chase outside when he was about six weeks old and kept him. Chase and Dusty pretty much just chased each other around the house (Chase would always want to "play attack" Dusty - they didn't really "bond.") Chase is high energy (at times) and Dusty is more chill. I think they liked having each other around but I don't know if I'd call them friends.
Anyways, my mom kept Dusty and I moved out with Chase. Now, I feel bad leaving him alone while my boyfriend and I go to work. He is used to having Dusty around, as well as my mom because she stays at home.
SO, what I'm getting at is..do you think it would be a good idea to get another cat? I feel like a new cat (kitten?) would keep him company but I'm worried that they could hate each other or not really get along , just put up with each other- like Chase and Dusty did.
Any advice? I just don't know what to do; I want Chase to be happy! Thank you!
I just moved out of my parents' house where there were 2 cats: my 3 year old boy, Chase and a five year old girl, Dusty (my mom's cat).
I found Chase outside when he was about six weeks old and kept him. Chase and Dusty pretty much just chased each other around the house (Chase would always want to "play attack" Dusty - they didn't really "bond.") Chase is high energy (at times) and Dusty is more chill. I think they liked having each other around but I don't know if I'd call them friends.
Anyways, my mom kept Dusty and I moved out with Chase. Now, I feel bad leaving him alone while my boyfriend and I go to work. He is used to having Dusty around, as well as my mom because she stays at home.
SO, what I'm getting at is..do you think it would be a good idea to get another cat? I feel like a new cat (kitten?) would keep him company but I'm worried that they could hate each other or not really get along , just put up with each other- like Chase and Dusty did.
Any advice? I just don't know what to do; I want Chase to be happy! Thank you!
1 - 20 of 41 Posts
Thanks for the link to the other post. I do want another cat, but not as much as I want Chase to be happy. I just wonder if he would like the company.
It's a tough decision!
It's a tough decision!
See my reply to Nlacy's post
Cats always do better in pairs, even when the cats "don't like" one another. Would you like to be the only human in your habitat with no one to communicate with or see for weeks and months at a time? Cats are independent and generally die hard individuals, but multiple cats live in the same territory and come across each other's scents and sights often. Plus, female cats will form creches to raise their kittens together, so the myth of the lone cat being a happy cat is just that, a myth.
I would recommend a cat companion younger than your current boy and that you would also probably have an easier time introducing a female than a male. Is your current cat neutered? If not, I would have him neutered before you bring in the new cat whether you decide on a male or a female. But with the female you will not have the possibility that the two males will compete with one another for dominance.
I would recommend a cat companion younger than your current boy and that you would also probably have an easier time introducing a female than a male. Is your current cat neutered? If not, I would have him neutered before you bring in the new cat whether you decide on a male or a female. But with the female you will not have the possibility that the two males will compete with one another for dominance.
Wow. This could not be more wrong. Living with cats who don't like each other can be horrible. And there are many, many cats who thrive being the only cat in the home. "Only cats" have an extra special bond with their humans.Cats always do better in pairs, even when the cats "don't like" one another.
Almost as ridiculous as saying three cats is the worst number to own.
I think it must depend on their personality (or maybe history). Our cat was adopted under a strict "Must be only cat in the home" clause.
Sure, in general cat's may be social creatures in that they form colonies and creches, but we humans make them so batty that it's hard to paint them all with the same brush.
Sure, in general cat's may be social creatures in that they form colonies and creches, but we humans make them so batty that it's hard to paint them all with the same brush.
Yes! I have 2 pairs of 2 cats and they love each other so much! Maggie and Lisa are like sisters! They fight sometimes of course but they clean each other and sleep next to each other and play together and I would never seperate them!
And oreo...I really dont know what he did without Emmy. We got Emmy for him because he seemed lonely and that was like the best idea ever. We got emmy and put her in one room for a day (I dont actually remember how long, might of been a few days) and Oreo kept sniffing the door. The we let her out and they automaticaly were fine with each other! Now they are always together. Get another cat!
And oreo...I really dont know what he did without Emmy. We got Emmy for him because he seemed lonely and that was like the best idea ever. We got emmy and put her in one room for a day (I dont actually remember how long, might of been a few days) and Oreo kept sniffing the door. The we let her out and they automaticaly were fine with each other! Now they are always together. Get another cat!
Hmmm after reading some more and looking at your responses, I am still unsure.
Since I don't know, I'm guess I should wait a little awhile - see how Chase adjusts to being in the apartment. Right now, he is super clingy and follows me everywhere, sleeps right next to me.
At my mom's house, he would follow me sometimes, but not like he does here. Makes me think he's lonely or something? But everytime I leave and come back, he is sleeping.
Why is this so tough? lol
Since I don't know, I'm guess I should wait a little awhile - see how Chase adjusts to being in the apartment. Right now, he is super clingy and follows me everywhere, sleeps right next to me.
At my mom's house, he would follow me sometimes, but not like he does here. Makes me think he's lonely or something? But everytime I leave and come back, he is sleeping.
Why is this so tough? lol
As Doodlebug said in the other thread, only if YOU want a second cat.
Before our pair of sisters we had a lone cat. She was actually sharing the household with our dog. She was the kitten we adopted after having the dog for about 5 years. When our dog died, she did get more clingy with us. She absolutely hated it when we left her. We got an earful of her wailing at us when we returned home. But she also did fine as a loner cat. She had plenty to look at and play with. There were no shortages of ledges to sleep on.Hmmm after reading some more and looking at your responses, I am still unsure.
Since I don't know, I'm guess I should wait a little awhile - see how Chase adjusts to being in the apartment. Right now, he is super clingy and follows me everywhere, sleeps right next to me.
At my mom's house, he would follow me sometimes, but not like he does here. Makes me think he's lonely or something? But everytime I leave and come back, he is sleeping.
Why is this so tough? lol
When we adopted our littermates we didn't go to the shelter intending to do that. We had wanted to find a cute, cuddly kitten to raise but these two 5 month olds just won us over instantly. We decided to bring them home together mostly because the shelter folks told us they would do better together. And it has worked out for the most part. They do keep each other company when we are away on trips.
Problem with multiple cats is that you have the potential for fighting and mischief. Male cats will mark their territory. Female cats can get downright vicious. You have to work through their introduction and just hope they get along. A kitten will probably do better because it is too young to have many expectations. It will adapt better to what house rules your other cat sets down.
It's really a question of how much work you're willing to put into it.
I think about adopting a dog many days but I just don't think it'll work for us. One of our cats really hates dogs.
I am glad we got the pair of kitties though. They are fun to watch and there is never a shortage of human cuddling. When one is bored of us, the other takes up the slack. It's especially fun to see them hunt together. I feel bad for any luckless field mouse that finds its way into our house. It doesn't stand a chance. There is always a cat keeping watch and ready to pounce.
He could be following you around so much because he's not used to his new home yet and you're his source for comfort and security. I would give him time to settle into this new life before bringing another change.
lol ikr? or that three children is a terrible idea.Almost as ridiculous as saying three cats is the worst number to own.
Never get another cat as a companion for your other cat. Only ever get a cat because you want it. Everyone I know that got a companion kitty ended up severely changing the dynamics of their home, me included. I love Nutmeg to no end but Sinatra could have definitely been happy without her.
It is your right to disagree with me, Marie73. These are my observations from living with multiple cats for 30 years. The only cat I could not include in my catroom was a feral who was three months old at the time I tried to introduce her. Apache wasted every male cat in that room (of 26 cats) and was starting on the females when I removed her to the rest of the house. Two years later, Apache asked to be allowed in the catroom and slowly made friends with three of the females. Ten years later when my total cat count was down to 12 and my asthma could be managed better, I abolished the catroom. Apache now lives with 10 other cats peacefully. She is alpha female and now 16 years old.
Cinderflower: Worst cat fight I ever had (and I never had many) was when I had only three cats in the house, a brother and sister and a new adolescent male. The brother and sister ganged up on the adolescent and half killed him. It was the only injury I ever had to take a cat to the vet for because Misha developed an abcess from one of the bites.
True happenings. True experiences. Obviously, my experiences are different from yours, apparently. I respect your vast knowledge and I would like the same type of relationship from you, madam.
Cinderflower: Worst cat fight I ever had (and I never had many) was when I had only three cats in the house, a brother and sister and a new adolescent male. The brother and sister ganged up on the adolescent and half killed him. It was the only injury I ever had to take a cat to the vet for because Misha developed an abcess from one of the bites.
True happenings. True experiences. Obviously, my experiences are different from yours, apparently. I respect your vast knowledge and I would like the same type of relationship from you, madam.
A part of the decision for me to get a second cat was to keep Sammy company. Yes, if course I wanted another cat as well but what got me thinking about it was that the time we spent living with my friend who had a cat, Sammy loved having the company. He acted very sad when we first adopted Meeka. He never showed any aggression to her but he was very sulky and didn't talk to us for a few weeks. Once they bonded though, they really bonded. I would hate to see them separated now. They're more times than not snuggled together and have the occasional game of chasies.
Sammy plays a lot rougher than Meeka though and I convinced hubby he needed a brother to rough play with him. Another decision I don't regret. It took only a few days for both Samson and Meeka to accept Jett as their little brother. The boys love playing together, Jett is just as rough as Sammy so Meek a is happy to not have to wrestle anymore. The boys arent really snuggly with each other but meeka loves a good snuggle and with winter coming down here, its not uncommon to see her in the middle with one of the boys snuggled on either side.
I am so grateful that all our cats love each other and we never have any fighting. I know this is not always the case and if they didn't all get along, well we'd just have to deal with it. I think if you want another cat go for it. A young kitten is going to be the easiest to introduce, just makesureyou follow all the proper steps. Someone mentioned earlier 'male cats will spray', this has kind of stuck with me as none of my cats have never ever sprayed. Yes, its a possibility and more likely if they aren't fixed but it's not a given that it will happen.
Sammy plays a lot rougher than Meeka though and I convinced hubby he needed a brother to rough play with him. Another decision I don't regret. It took only a few days for both Samson and Meeka to accept Jett as their little brother. The boys love playing together, Jett is just as rough as Sammy so Meek a is happy to not have to wrestle anymore. The boys arent really snuggly with each other but meeka loves a good snuggle and with winter coming down here, its not uncommon to see her in the middle with one of the boys snuggled on either side.
I am so grateful that all our cats love each other and we never have any fighting. I know this is not always the case and if they didn't all get along, well we'd just have to deal with it. I think if you want another cat go for it. A young kitten is going to be the easiest to introduce, just makesureyou follow all the proper steps. Someone mentioned earlier 'male cats will spray', this has kind of stuck with me as none of my cats have never ever sprayed. Yes, its a possibility and more likely if they aren't fixed but it's not a given that it will happen.
LFC, when you post things like
And statements like
It's not me disagreeing with you as much as it is the fact that you are completely wrong about blanket statements like that.
Cats always do better in pairs, even when the cats "don't like" one another.
as though they are facts, not just your opinion, how do you think owners of single cats feel about statements like that? Actually, most of our members are probably smart enough to dismiss those posts, but still...the myth of the lone cat being a happy cat is just that, a myth.
And statements like
are just as ridiculous.The most dangerous number to cats to have is actually three
It's not me disagreeing with you as much as it is the fact that you are completely wrong about blanket statements like that.
While I do appreciate sarcasm as it's my second language, it's not really my "vast knowledge" you should respect, it's my common sense and consideration of other people's feelings.I respect your vast knowledge
Oh it's this topic again. The usual "an only cat is a sad cat" brigade always makes their ill-informed appearance. Just like the innie-outie debate.
On a positive note, Marie now has a new nickname. "Madam Marie".
On a positive note, Marie now has a new nickname. "Madam Marie".
If MowMow could read, he would crap in your shoes right now. He *tolerates* SB but seriously, if I packed up the kitten and shipped him back to the shelter right now MowMow would be the happiest cat in the universe.Cats always do better in pairs, even when the cats "don't like" one another.
I say we start a new thread JUST to debate this.Just like the innie-outie debate.
I totally agree with you and I know from experience. That is why I have one cat even tho I would love more.Wow. This could not be more wrong. Living with cats who don't like each other can be horrible.
1 - 20 of 41 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Cat Forum
A forum community dedicated to breeds of cat owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about breeds, training, kittens, food reviews, rescues, and more.
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Recommended Communities
