Hello everyone
I am new to the forums and wanted to introduce myself and seek some advice. My husband and I are proud "parents" to two wonderful boy kitties. Kingston is 2 years old and v8 is 9. v8 and I met at an animal hospital that I use to work for when he was just a few weeks old. He adopted me right away. I use to take him to work all the time and socialize him with dogs, cats, people, etc. He is pretty social and has always gotten along with other kitties. Kingston on the other hand has never really been around any other animals except for v8 and he is actually very shy and scared of strangers in the house. When we first adopted Kingston 2 years ago, v8 went into a depression. This was the first time we had ever seen him not get along right away with a new cat. He literally spent three months under the bed barely EVER coming out. Eventually he got over it and tolerated Kingston. I think the drastic age difference really bothered v8 - "who the heck is this infant in my house!". As time has gone by, v8 has grown to like Kingston and they are friends now. Kingston is very affectionate and playful toward v8 but even though v8 likes Kingston, he is more into laying around on his own than playing with Kingston all the time. Again, I think the age difference is a factor. They will sleep next to each other and play tag a bit, but v8 isn't up for an entire day of playing like Kingston is. My husband and I are away from the home from 7am til 5pm everyday and as far as we can tell.. they just sleep the entire day. When we are home they both are up and ready to play with us. v8 is quite content playing just a few minutes at a time throughout the whole night, but my gawd Kingston is really just non-stop. He stares at his toys and meows to be played with all night long. He is just so full of energy - it's really great that he is so energetic and playful, but we can't play with him for 6 straight hours either and v8 certainly isn't picking up the slack.
This is where we really need advice. We were thinking that adopting a third kitty that was closer to Kingston's age might help. Then they could play with each other and burn off energy in addition to the playing that we already do with them. Now in the past, I have always had 1-3 cats living with me.. it was always my answer to a bored kitty.. if they're bored get them a friend. But now it's complicated because v8 didn't really enjoy the last new kitty very much, and we are worried about how Kingston will react since he has never really been around anyone other than v8. I am not as worried as my husband about the whole thing, really. I think as long as the cat is a good personality match for v8 and Kingston that they will adjust over time and learn to like their new friend. I also think v8 will be fine as long as it isn't some rambunctious kitten again. But I do share the worries to a degree - What if Kingston just freaks out completely? What if Kingston doesn't WANT a new friend? What if Kingston does okay but then suddenly v8 is being left out of everything the younger cats are doing? Are three kitties too many kitties for one family? Which should we get if we adopt, female or male - which is a better match to bring into a home of two males? In the end after adjustment, will a third kitty be a good playmate or just an annoyance they never wanted? Kingston gets stressed easily also - he freaks out when new things are happening around him. Would a new cat just be too stressful to be worth it?
I know this is long - so thanks for reading all of this and any suggestions you guys can offer would be great.
This is where we really need advice. We were thinking that adopting a third kitty that was closer to Kingston's age might help. Then they could play with each other and burn off energy in addition to the playing that we already do with them. Now in the past, I have always had 1-3 cats living with me.. it was always my answer to a bored kitty.. if they're bored get them a friend. But now it's complicated because v8 didn't really enjoy the last new kitty very much, and we are worried about how Kingston will react since he has never really been around anyone other than v8. I am not as worried as my husband about the whole thing, really. I think as long as the cat is a good personality match for v8 and Kingston that they will adjust over time and learn to like their new friend. I also think v8 will be fine as long as it isn't some rambunctious kitten again. But I do share the worries to a degree - What if Kingston just freaks out completely? What if Kingston doesn't WANT a new friend? What if Kingston does okay but then suddenly v8 is being left out of everything the younger cats are doing? Are three kitties too many kitties for one family? Which should we get if we adopt, female or male - which is a better match to bring into a home of two males? In the end after adjustment, will a third kitty be a good playmate or just an annoyance they never wanted? Kingston gets stressed easily also - he freaks out when new things are happening around him. Would a new cat just be too stressful to be worth it?
I know this is long - so thanks for reading all of this and any suggestions you guys can offer would be great.