Question about getting another kitty.

**knitnmom** · 08-19-2008, 11:51 AM

We have a boy kitty, about 1 years old, and I think I would like to get another one at some point. My question is, since I have a boy, do I have to get a girl, or can I get another boy? Does it even matter? What should I consider?

**Greebo** · 08-19-2008, 12:19 PM

Has the current cat been broken already?

**suzysaver** · 08-19-2008, 12:36 PM

This could be tuff, that little one year old male probably thinks he is king of his castle, I don't think another male would be a good idea. If you must, I would suggests a female...but this doesn't mean they won't fight.

I have an older female and thought I was doing her a favor by getting her a playmate and brought home a little male kitten. They can't stand each other, the little one torments my older one...I very much regret bringing the other one home, I love him and can't give him up. Please really think about this before you do it. Over the last year they have learned a bit more tolerance of each other.

**Greebo** · 08-19-2008, 12:43 PM

Cats generally don't care about gender unless they aren't "broken" (adjusted). (I don't call it fixed - they USED to work before operation, now they don't, that ain't FIXING!!!)

Getting a new cat acclimated to a new environment where there are already cats takes some finesse. Put new cat in a bathroom for 2 weeks with food and litter box. Do not let new cat out of bathroom. Old cat will be curious, new cat will be impatient to escape, but give them time to get used to each other's scent.

Then pretty much let them get to know each other.

A 1 yr old cat will handle the transition pretty easily.

Older cats - not as much.

**Izzy0906** · 08-19-2008, 01:23 PM

I introduced a new kitten (female) to my 8 year old fixed female. They get along now but man I think my older cat hated me for awhile. They still fight but not often and usually only when they are fighting over who gets to sleep near my daughters head. I kept them seperate for a week before I let them get to know each other.

**pip** · 08-19-2008, 01:36 PM

We have two old girl cats and two years ago, brought in another girl (about 2 months old). We did the transition thing, keeping them separate for a couple weeks, then gradually let them be together, supervised. The old cats had a difficult time accepting the new one, who then had to bond with the dog, poor thing. Now, finally after two years, they are not hissing at each other much and they will even stand by each other at the food dish and not fight. The newest cat is still pretty much on her own, but the house is more peaceful.

**Ceashels** · 08-19-2008, 02:59 PM

We currently have 3 male cats and my Mom had 2 male and one female. As long as the current cats are spayed/neutered they will be fine. It does take time for them to adjust.... this can be as long as 2-3 months and will become friends sometime after a year. Yeah it takes that long sometimes but it is worth it.

**YankeeMom** · 08-19-2008, 03:11 PM

I have three male cats. Never had a problem with any of them wanting to be "alpha" cat. Of course, they were all fixed shortly after we got them....

I wouldn't want to be bothered with a female cat unless it was already fixed. It can be a pain trying to determine when they are old enough to be fixed but before they go into their first heat.

**HandyMom** · 08-19-2008, 08:13 PM

I had an older fixed female and brought in a male kitten. They were separated for 2 months but in the same home. Never did they get along well. They merely tolerated each other after a couple years but the dislike was still obvious. My older cat died and I think the younger cat was not unhappy about it. Now he's King of the castle and couldn't be happier about it.

Sad cause I'd love to get another cat but know better now.

**knitnmom** · 08-19-2008, 09:55 PM

Wow, all the responses were wonderful and very helpful- thank you!

Our male cat is "adjusted" and pretty much owns the house. We all spoil him rotten and all vie for his affection.

I was thinking of getting another kitten because sometimes it seems like he wants to play more, and also I wanted to do it before he got too old and wouldn't tolerate it. He is our first cat ever and he's such a love I thought it would be so nice to have another. I know there is no guarantee and I also don't want to rock the boat. Things are fine with him right now.

Lots to think about and consider... thanks for all the input!!

**jamie79** · 08-20-2008, 12:31 AM

I have 4 cats, 2 male and 2 female and never separated any of them. They work it out themselves. They were all neutered and spayed. Any cat can be spayed or neutered, and should be at 8weeks old. I think if you keep them separated it makes it harder for them to bond. The other cat is only a yr old. I bet you it wont take long for them to bond

**knitnmom** · 08-20-2008, 10:40 AM

How do you feed them separately? I mean, wouldn't they eat eachothers food? I feed our cat once a day and he grazes throughout the day.

And what about the litter box? Can they share?

**pip** · 08-20-2008, 11:01 AM

We try to feed the old cats separately from the younger one. They eat different food and the young one would eat all the old cats' food if we let her. They do share litter boxes, but sometimes they will pee around the box, not sure if that is a territorial thing or if it is related to when we change/add new litter to the box and it smells different.

**PAVallygrl** · 08-20-2008, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by suzysaver

This could be tuff, that little one year old male probably thinks he is king of his castle, I don't think another male would be a good idea. If you must, I would suggests a female...but this doesn't mean they won't fight.

I have an older female and thought I was doing her a favor by getting her a playmate and brought home a little male kitten. They can't stand each other, the little one torments my older one...I very much regret bringing the other one home, I love him and can't give him up. Please really think about this before you do it. Over the last year they have learned a bit more tolerance of each other.

I'm going through the exact same thing! My 10 year old has spent the last 2 months hissing and spitting at the new 1 1/2 year old male kitty. All he wants to do is play and she's having NOTHING OF IT. Although I have noticed in the last few days she has been coming downstairs (instead of hiding up in my room) and checking things (him) out from a distance. Still she spits and hisses at him if he gets too close and it does not matter that he is in the prone position showing her that he is of no threat to her. I'm hoping that the little bit of interest she's been showing the past few days means she starting to accept the situtation a little bit more.

The dog on the other hand LOVES the new cat!! Go figure huh?

**shoiji** · 08-26-2008, 01:59 PM

I had an older female cat and a year old male cat. When I brought a female kitten into the mix the older female cat hissed alot and the male cat thought the kitten was his baby. He would look at me sternily if the kitten started to cry in my arms. He also would hold the kitten down and clean her. It was funny to watch the first time since the kitten had long hair and he had short hair. His tongue just stuck out for a while before he got used to the long hair.

What ever you decide on just remember it will take a while for them to get adjusted. Keeping them separated for a while will help get them used to each others smell. Let us know what you decide on.