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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Whew - sorry to have started the declawing debate. I chose not to declaw my cats because I don't want them to have to go through the pain of the procedure and the potential for sensitive paws. I nip the ends off their claws, which keeps the sharp pointy bits to a minimum. Personally, I just put up with the scratches to my hand when Katze gets a little riled and decides to use my hand as a chew toy before I can pull it away. That was one of the reasons we're getting a companion cat - as a playmate to help expend all this excess kitty energy. I've never heard of Softy Paws (I think that's what someone called them), but I think I might look into them. Katze doesn't really like his claws clipped so I have to do it when he's 1/2 asleep and then just a few at a time, but if Softy Paws aren't too difficult to apply....
We did choose a new kitty from the shelter just yesterday (thanks for all the messages of advice and support). Our new 8-month-old will be coming home tomorrow afternoon to her very own litter box and food dishes ready to go in her special "new cat only" room. This cat is not declawed either and seems to have a similar playful temper as Katze. We looked at several cats in the same age range and tried to pick one that we thought would fit best. Although if it had been up to me alone, I would have taken them all since they all need homes!
Thanks again everyone! Hopefully the Big Introduction will go well. I have several days off this week and plan on being home as much as possible to make sure the cats are adjusting and interacting well. I'll keep you posted.
Congratulations on your new edition!
Awww, I'm so glad that another kitten found you to love her.
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