Posted on 01/13/2015 7:56:38 PM PST by Jamestown1630
Hi;
I just joined the Kitty-Ping list.
I have what is kind of an urgent question about CATS, and our FRiend 'Slings and Arrows' suggested that I post it to the larger group.
We adopted a little cat, Leroy, a week ago; he’s about 8 months old and still very kittenish. He's adapted to us and our household very well; but we think he needs a cat companion.
We have the choice of adopting one of his brothers, from the same litter; or adopting a female cat who is about 1-1/2 years old, who has already had a litter.
I have never really ‘mixed ages’ in cats; I’ve either had a single kitten, or two or three adults.
Do you think there would be problems, if we adopted the older female, and she lived with the 8-month old male?
We like both the older female and the little brother cat equally; but we want what will be the most harmonious mix.
(The adoption org told us that they first had Leroy and his whole litter available at the pet store; but they fought among themselves so much, that nobody would adopt them. So, then they started showing the boys singly; and that’s how we adopted Leroy.)
The older female is very calm and quiet; the Leroy is very “exuberant", to put it mildly :=)
Can anyone give us advice? We have to make a decision within a day or two.
We live in a small space - two bedroom, two bath apartment. We've never had a problem keeping two cats here; but we've never mixed ages. And, at least until everyone is adapted, the cats will have to stay together in the Master BR, while we are at work.
We are hoping to adopt a second cat before the upcoming holiday weekend, so we'll have several days to get everyone adapted.
The advice of FR cat people would be greatly appreciated;
and
Thanks very much,
JT
Our older cat is 7 now — a very pretty torty and quite sedate. She’s aloof and normally a loner, but likes to sit on my wife’s chest to be petted during TV time.
Our younger guy is almost two now and has always been energetic. He’s the more friendly of the two.
The big problem is he chases and attacks the older girl. She runs to hide and rarely defends herself or swats him. I feel so sorry for her trying to get away from him. In the backyard, he’ll even chase her back and forth across the lawn.
Bottom line—I’d be wary of a matchup like this. I’m not sure how you would be able to predict compatibility in advance, though.
***It’s been my personal experience that a cat’s best friend and playmate is a dog.***
If you raise them from pups and kittens together they will become the best off friends.
Thanks for your response;
Both of the male litter-mates were neutered months ago.
-JT
We’ve had success with both siblings and mamas adopting other cats’ kittens and raising them to become lifelong companions.
one thing we strongly agree with is how much happier most cats are to have cat companionship.... plus they play together and its loads of fun for their servants (oops, owners)
If you can select one you think will work well and test it, bring it home for a visit... (give it a few days, first introductions can be bumpy as there’s a natural territoriality)...
if they’ll let you test-run a cat, that would be very nice indeed.
best,
Thanks very much.
We once had an adult male show up at our door - he had a collar and bell on him, and I knew he had belonged to someone.
Spent weeks putting up signs, trying to find an owner; but no responses. We think he had just been abandoned. In the meantime, we had him neutered, de-flea-ed, got him shots, etc.
In the end, we kept him. We had no idea how old he was when we got him, but we had him for about 17 years. He died in September; and he was our last cat from our previous bunch.
The point is: because he was neutered after adulthood, he was always a little wild, and always tried to beat up (to put it discreetly) on our little female cat.
I think it matters when a male cat was neutered, as to how he’ll be as an older cat.
-JT
This is true , but even having to do that is not necessarily a requirement.
I recently had to put my last cat down as she suffered kidney failure one morning which I think was brought about by aggressive and visible eye cancer.
She and my Shepherd were friends. The dog came with me to say goodbye, kitty was a member of the herd and all, so Isis was familiar with cats, she’s about 3 years right now.
I adopted a new cat a couple weeks later, a rescue cat from per smart 5 years old, 20 lbs mountain lion who hates other cats I was told. SO I asked what’s her disposition to dogs, and they said should be fine, and that it is also their experience that cats and dogs eventually get along.
Well that has been the case. Stormy did not like Isis at first, and as a shepherd, Isis herds Stormy all day long, that is until Stormy herds Isis.
These two have become great friends and love to lay next to each other then play fight, stalk each other, hunt squirrels at the back door.
I just love watching their friendship.
Will they let you take the older cat on trial? It will probably be perfectly fine. But if they will let you try it out first, go for that.
If someone is home a lot you do not need another cat. If Leroy will be alone a lot go for the older cat.
I’ve generally had pairs of cats which were 2 years apart in age. Made absolutely NO difference; they ended up the best of friends, always playing with each other, sleeping near one another, etc. It is beneficial for the kitten to have a pal, whether it’s a litter mate or a slightly older cat. Just make sure to take your time with introductions. Best to keep them in separate rooms and let them smell each other with the old “paws under the door” maneuver. When they seem calm about each other’s presence, apply a little vanilla extract on their noses and let them meet each other under your supervision. If they seem OK, you’ve got it made. If they don’t, give them more time in separate rooms.
Thanks. That’s a very good idea.
I hadn’t thought about asking for a ‘trial’; but the older female has been there for weeks, with nobody adopting her.
So maybe they’d be open to a trial. I will definitely ask about it, and thanks for the idea!
Thanks to everyone who answered. I’ll follow again tomorrow.
-JT
Get the female who has already had kids. She will be tolerant of the younger boy. But, she will also put him in his place when needed. She will know the difference.
I have raised cats for more than forty years. Mostly homeless who wander in, all ages. House rule is everyone gets along and they do. He might like a mom figure around or he may have a favorite buddy sibling, most do. Currently i have siblings and unrelated in my brood of seven. I am never without love or company. Kittens play together to develop self protection skills, it is nothing to worry about. Perhaps the container was too small. I don’t worry unless I see the fur flying and even that is usually a momentary dust up. Don’t be overly concerned over hissing at first, it is normal for them not to hit it off immediately, although that happens. And my mother cats growls at anyone, even her now five year old kittens, who get near her face. Think of what works for you. Mom will teach him socialization and hunting skills, manners, litter box etiquette. I think you are overly concerned. Just get them fixed and they should be fine. Good luck!
Jack Daniels or vodka in its drinking water. It’ll either go nuts or sleep for two weeks.
We took in an older cat once. It was our only cat but we also had a dog. The cat was so easy and no problem at all. Kitties are more work, but worth it. I bet it turns out just great. I look forward to your update.
We live on a farm with a BIG barn and everyone seems to think we need another mouser. Cats get dumped here every year and we keep them all “til death do us part”. We currently have a “herd” of 37 but have had many others over the years. Our oldest is 16 and youngest is around 8 months. Some get along very well and others tolerate the others’ presence.
Personalities are a major factor. It sounds like your kitten’s littermates are a rowdy crew. Could be a wrecking crew. LOL!
The female you mentioned isn’t much older than Leroy. Is she an active, outgoing girlie? Or is she quiet or timid? If the outgoing type, you might be better off getting her. That would be my first choice. Better chance of harmony in the household over all. If she’s the timid type, life for her could be an unhappy one. That would make the case for getting one of Leroy’s brothers.
I’m just thinking what I would do in your place, and that’s how I’d make my choices. It’s worked so far in the 60+ years I’ve been owned by kittehs. :-)
My daughter picked out our younger guy. She saw him being born and got him neutered as soon as the vet said it was ok. I don’t recall how old he was, but probably only a few weeks. He was socialized with people from the start and came to our house when maybe 3 or 4 months old and introduced to the girl. At the start, she would cuddle with him, but that lasted maybe 6 months or so. Then he discovered the fun in terrifying her.
G’Nite!
:-)
=JT
Get the male sibling. They will play together more than a male and female. I have 6 indoor cats. 3 males and 3 females. The females mostly keep to themselves. The males all play and hang out together and fight sometimes but more social together. All are various ages from 9 months to 4 years old.
Females from the same litter or non-litter mates, on average, don't always bond as strongly. They can often still get along fine.
From long experience with cats, I’d suggest getting the sibling.
They will be closer than a male non-related female set, and they will play more. Get them clipped as soon as it is possible, though.
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