Tips on picking companion cat?

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-22-2004
Tips on picking companion cat?
15
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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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-12-2010
Wed, 12-22-2004 - 3:54pm

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

 

 Katz

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 12-23-2004 - 6:50am

*WELCOME* to Cats Katzemom!

Cat =^..^=
Avatar for cl_lcni
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 12-23-2004 - 10:38am

Hi Amy.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Thu, 12-23-2004 - 5:45pm
I got a 6 month only female cat from the shelter and she has a very assertive, playful, friendly personality. I knew I would need a companion cat who wouldn't be annoyed by her excessive playfulness. Her companion cat was formerly a stray cat and she is also assertive but she's more of a "don't mess with me" assertive. They seem to get along okay. They wrastle and chase each other around the house everyday. Neither seems to be intimidated by the other, although I think it helps that 1st cat turned out to be quite a bit bigger than the "don't mess with me" cat. I have to recommend a really good book called "Cat Vs. Cat: Keeping Peace when you have more than one cat" - it just came out this year so you should be able to find it in book stores. Good luck! Iri
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2004
Mon, 12-27-2004 - 1:49pm
what is the big deal with declawing? my cat ERNIE was declawed when i got him, but he has been an indoor cat since i got him and i don't have to worry about being scratched when i handle him. i know they're put to sleep when it's done, but it's only minor surgery and well worth it if you want to be very affectionate with your cat. i keep my nails trimmed for him. when they got too long i hurt him, so that won't happen again. i'd like to get him a companion cat but at 14 years of age i believe he would be to territorial, angry, upset maybe?
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 12-27-2004 - 1:56pm
Whoops...I meant to say, I agree with Katznbooks...for some reason I thought it was cl-Leslie!
Cat =^..^=
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 12-27-2004 - 2:03pm

Declawing is a very controversial topic, especially on this board.

Cat =^..^=
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2004
Mon, 12-27-2004 - 2:18pm
i'm not talking about protecting my furniture, i'm talking about protecting me from scratches. i love be very affectionate and hands-on with my cat ERNIE, but i think i have a right to want some safety measures for myself without being made to feel guilty about it. how do you handle your cat if he's not declawed?
Avatar for cl_lcni
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 12-27-2004 - 3:47pm

I have 9 cats and they are all clawed.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 12-27-2004 - 5:48pm

I do have one cat that is declawed and I regret the day I had that done.

Cat =^..^=

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