Tips on picking companion cat?
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| Wed, 12-22-2004 - 3:24pm |
Hi, everyone,
I'm looking for any tips anyone has to offer on selecting a new cat as a companion to my current cat. Current Cat (Katze) is around 9 months old and was adopted from the local shelter in October. I regret not getting two cats at that time, but hindsight is 20/20...
I've given Katze a few months to adjust to life in my home, and he's doing just fine. I thought now would be the time to get him a companion. Any suggestions as to what kind of cat to bring home? I know I need to have a security room for the new kitty once we get him/her and will get that all set up, and I've been told that I should get a cat as young or younger than the current one. Anything else one should consider? I'm hoping that since both cats will come from the shelter, they will be a little more used to having other cats around them. Although he wasn't sharing a cage with another cat when we adopted him, Katze did have a cage-mate when he first wound up at the shelter and was in a room filled with cages, so there were always other cats and cat smells around (not to mention all that noise). I was hoping that since it's been only a few months since we got him, he might "remember" being with other cats and take to it better. Maybe that's wishful thinking though. Katze is neutered, so that kind of aggression won't be a problem in him. I've been told an opposite-sex cat might be better than having two males, but if both males are neutered, I don't know if that's an issue.
One big question, if anyone has any experience in this, is what about getting a declawed cat? Katze is not, nor will he be, declawed. I won't declaw the other cat either, but sometimes they already have been declawed by the time they've made it to the shelter. Katze likes to play rough sometimes. Would this be a problem?
Thanks so much in advance and happy holidays to all.
Amy

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Hi Amy, & welcome! This is normally a very active board, but the holidays are slowing it way down. Normally I would say you should have a few answers by today, but not when it's this slow. I wish I could help you. I've never introduced a new cat to my cats. One thing I figure is that if you do get a kitten, it's unlikely that it will be declawed already. Doesn't seem as if somebody would go to the expense to do this, then surrender the kitten, all in a few months.
Seems like you have the right idea about how to introduce. I think there's a whole section on it on our home page. Look on the main page under Cats Member Page under either Cat Training or under Adoption.
Good luck!
Katz
*WELCOME* to Cats Katzemom!
Hi Amy.
Declawing is a very controversial topic, especially on this board.
I have 9 cats and they are all clawed.
I do have one cat that is declawed and I regret the day I had that done.
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