Should I Get A Buddy For My Cat?

Spshaffer

Spshaffer

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My husband and I recently rescued a stray female kitty. She is about 1 1/2 according to our vet. She’s very active and likes to meow at the feral cats we have around the house. I can tell she wants to be outdoors badly. While my husband and I agree we just want one cat we are feeling pressure from family and friends that we should get another cat to have a buddy for our cat. While I wonder of that will be a good idea for our cat I also worry if it’s not a good idea. We’ve had her a month. Will she be accepting? I just wonder what is best. I’m also not sure I have to time to put into introductions and bringing another cat calmly into our home. What should I do?
 
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ArtNJ

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Cats under two years are more likely to do well with a new cat, so they could well become friends, especially if you get a kitten. Adding a kitten to a young resident cat is normally pretty easy. However, one month in is a little soon. And even with a young resident cat, there is the possibility of it not going well. And cats eventually adapt pretty well to being an only cat.

So to get another cat when *you* don't want one? I would never recommend that. Don't let anyone pressure you. They may mean well, but they are misguided.

The only counterpoint to make is that on average it does get harder as the resident cat gets older. So think about it over the next few months.
 
Mamanyt1953

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How recent is "recently"? You do want to give her ample time to be comfortable with you before introducing a new cat into the mix, but most cats will adjust to and enjoy a friend. Not all, but most.

You say she is very interested in the ferals near your home. What is her reaction to them? Are her ears forward, or back? What is her tail doing? Moving gently back and forth is good, lashing is not. Does she act startled or upset when you touch her while she watches them? Ideally, ears forward, tail lazily flipping, and not going ballistic if you touch her at that time...those are indications that the presence of other cats nearby isn't seen as a dire threat.

Look, you do what is right for your family. Cats can be very content as "only children." My own cat won't tolerate another cat near her. She was reared with her sister, and as long as the two were together, Hekitty was the "invisible cat." She spent her time isolating herself. Once I moved into my own apartment, she blossomed. Some cats are like that.

So long as she has love and attention from you, she's going to be happy.
 
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Spshaffer

Spshaffer

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Thank you for your reply. She seems friendly towards the feral cats. No tail lashing and she lets me touch and pet her when the other kitties come by. Today the one came up to our door and my kitty was making noises like she wanted him to come in. Not aggressive or hissing at all and then she followed him window to window to find him when he left. My last kitty would hiss and growl whenever another kitty was outside.
We’ve had the new one for a month and seeing her reaction to other kitties makes me wonder if she’d love having another kitty around. I’m thinking a kitten might be best but i’m not sure. She’s taken awhile to getting used to being indoors and the last thing I want to do is make her upset by bringing in another kitty.
 
Mamanyt1953

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CatLover49

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ArtNJ said:
Cats under two years are more likely to do well with a new cat, so they could well become friends, especially if you get a kitten. Adding a kitten to a young resident cat is normally pretty easy. However, one month in is a little soon. And even with a young resident cat, there is the possibility of it not going well. And cats eventually adapt pretty well to being an only cat.

So to get another cat when *you* don't want one? I would never recommend that. Don't let anyone pressure you. They may mean well, but they are misguided.

The only counterpoint to make is that on average it does get harder as the resident cat gets older. So think about it over the next few months.
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Yes I agree it does make it harder to add another cat as the resident cat gets older...From personal experience..my son had to take the kitten...this has been last year...2018...that I went through it...:wave3::petcat::catlove::goodluck:
 
danteshuman

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Though I’m all for buddy cats ..... you have stated you only want one. Why not buy/build her a catio or a window catio instead? Then she can safely go outside whenever she wants. Hanging a few bird feeders where she can watch the birds through a window, is always appreciated. (I assume she is spayed.)

Perhaps in 3 months if you want you can adopt a kitten.
 
She's a witch

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There is this saying back where I come from, that: First cat usually just happens, the second cat is for the first cat, and only the third cat is for their humans :) That was my case, we found my first current cat, and believe me, I didn't want the second one. But since the first one was still a kitten, and I truly believe kittens must be in pairs, for their emotional health and healthy development, especially that ours was very social and playful, we adopted a kitten for her. I'm so happy that the perception of a cat as a lonely animal is changing and people started to appreciate that cats are indeed very social animals, and while of course every cat is different, I think in general young cats do so much better with a company of their own kind. And although I didn't want a second cat, I couldn't be happier now with two of them :)
 
Jcatbird

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Only you can decide if you can deal with a second cat. That being said, generally speaking, cats are social creatures. They also need play and stimulation. It sounds like your kitty does desire a friend. I happen to be personally involved in feral rescues but saving the life of a kitty from outside or anywhere is a very great thing for anyone to do. If your kitty is already forming a bond with that feral ( if he is coming around more, he may be a stray too), then it would be great if you could put the two together. That does take time and a vet check but bonded cats are a beautiful thing to see. The love they share is a true joy. If you decide to get another kitty from anywhere, we will all be supportive. I would be happy to walk you through the process of getting the feral. If you decide to just have one kitty there are things you can do to provide more activities for her to keep her occupied. You are a great human to care about her happiness.
 
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Spshaffer

Spshaffer

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danteshuman said:
Well that should be step 1 whether you keep the kitten or not. (a black light & an enzyme cleaner will help you spit his pee graffiti and remove the smell/his calling card. Also if you keep the kitten you do not want her to develop bad habits.)
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He is a full adult male cat. I just don’t think it will be an option to bring him in. He would need to be neutered and checked out. Just way too expensive right now. I just spent $500 to go through all of that with my new one. However, if he took the initiative to come in and not run from me I would let him come in. That has happened to me before with another stray growing up at my parents house. Turned out to be the best cat ever. :)
 
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