Adding a second cat to my home

[jenna gibson]

I adopted a kitten at 8 weeks, he is now 5 months old. I am interested in adding another cat to my home.

I am wondering if a kitten his age (5-6 months) would be better company for him or be seen as competition.

Also, I am wondering if getting a female would be better as my current cat is male. He is currently fixed as the new cat would be as well. 

Finally, I am curious if it would be easier to introduce a cat to my cat as he is still considered a kitten and is very playful. (as opposed to waiting until he is over a year old)

Please let me know what you think!

Thank you,

 

[if i fit i sit]

i think that introducing to him a new friend now is best than later, even though he might stay playful after a year, i also believe that if you bring in a kitten smaller than he is that it will most likely be better because he wouldn't feel threatened, and the playfulness of the new kitten will cause him to play with him rather than fight. 

as for gender, in my cats i have not seen a difference, the older cats just loved to play around with the kittens no matter the gender. 

i wrote what i think because it is really hard to predict the reaction of a kitty since they each have a different personality, he might like having a new one around and he might not, but i believe eventually he will get used and live happily. 

 

[musicalcats]

I think the sooner the better to introduce another kitty! I just went through this recently in adopting my sweet Adelynn in June. The best advice I was given is that the new cat's personality, activity level, and needs are far more crucial in choosing one than gender or exact age. You want your kitties to be as compatible as possible. Also, here's some awesome advice on introductions from stephenq


[quote name="StephenQ" url="/t/280571/adventures-in-kitty-introductions#post_3578565"
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There are several steps to a successful introduction, the goal being BFFs, not enemies or angry at you (especially the resident cat).  A careful introduction raises the stress level in incremental steps, allowing both cats, especially the resident cat time to acclimate to the stressor before being introduced to the next level.  You are going to move the "bar" closer and closer to the resident cat until the final step, a supervised face-to-face, becomes  a fender bender and not a car crash.

Step one: Complete separation, putting the new cat is a small room like a bathroom with food, litter and water.  Do not let the cats see each other - too much stress too soon.  Give the new cat time to adjust.  Give both cats time (a week+/-) to get used to this.  They will know each other is there.  Start feeding the resident cat nearer to the door, adjusting daily until he is at the door eating. Do voluntary scent exchange by rubbing the new cat's cheeks on a sock and then offering the sock as a gift to the resident. Don't force him to smell the sock, don't rub it on him. Observe his behavior and allow it.   Rub a clean sock on his cheeks and offer it to the new cat.  Continue to do this but never force either cat to interact with the other cat's sock.
When they are reasonably calm with everything in step one go to:

Step Two:  Allow the cats to see each other.  Two baby gates stacked on top of each other in the open door is a great way.  Cracking the door open and blocking it into position so they can't get through the door is another way.  With many cats the stress of this will make them revert, but it would have been much worse if you had started with this step.  Continue as if this was step one, but now with them seeing each other.  When they are both calm, no hissing or growling, you can go to:

Step Three: After eating meals and feeling satisfied (full stomach = less aggressive) and trimmed nails, you can start to do brief supervised introductions face to face.  Watch their body language and reactions and increase their time together until you are confident that they can manage on their own.

In General, treat the resident cat like he is King.  Don't do things to make him jealous. Don't discipline either cat for showing aggression, punishing them for what they feel is a normal behavior (and is normal for them) just raises the stress.  And follow your cats' lead on the speed of the introduction, there are no rules other than to listen to them.

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/introducing-cats-to-cats
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/cat-behavior/introducing-your-cat-new-cat
http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com/a-simple-little-trick-to-use-during-new-cat-introductions/
[/quote]

 

[stephenq]

Hi there!
The longer your cat goes without a buddy the harder it may be to make that introduction so sooner is better than later. Look for a similarly aged kitten with a complimentary personality and similar activity level. Activity level is important because if one of them is very playful and the other isn't it could be very hard for them to become friends. Gender is not very relevant. Good luck!