Did I make a mistake by getting another cat?

Question

I'm needing some reassurance here. I have a three month old kitten that I got two months ago. He and I are very happy, but I thought it would be nice to, later on, get another cat to keep him company.

Today, while I was at PetSmart, I made an impulse buy: another cat. She is a year old, already spayed, and up to date on her shots. She even has a microchip already. For $60, that was a real steal. But now, after filling out a ton of paperwork and signing on the dotted line, I just don't know anymore.

What if she NEVER stops meowing? What if my kitten doesn't like her? Plus, she's so large that I'm afraid she'll hurt him if she gets mad at him. Do you think PetSmart would take her back? I wouldn't even mind being out the $60... the next person who wants her would get her for free I guess.

Do you think I'm experiencing buyer's remorse? I haven't stopped crying yet, and I'm really worried.

Answer 1

Give your kitties some time to get to know each other. Make sure they have separate litter boxes, and you can also separate them if they have problems.

Don't give up on your kitties!  

Answer 2

well, what has been the results? do they like each other? is the only problem that the new cat meows a lot? also, buy "buying" a cat, i hope you mean adopting and paying a fee. it WOULD be irresponsible of you to buy a cat from a pet store when there are millions in shelters. and you should always introduce potential new pets to each other before adopting. i had to bring my dog to the shelter to see who he was compatible with. you can do the same. if your cat turns out to be that horrible, bring it to your local rescue shelter and bring your kitten too so that the shelter people can tell you who a good match will be. they might just take your cat if you adopt one of theirs.

Answer 3

You will just have to tolerate it until the new cat gets used to being in your home. The cats will learn to like each other, but it won't happen in a day.

Answer 4

Don't panic.  I think all will go well.  Do put the new cat in a separate space for a few days till she has had a chance to get used to the smells and sounds of your household.

A female cat should do well with a male kitten - just don't lay that stress on her for a while.

Get a bottle of Rescue Remedy from a health food store or pharmacy.  Just shake the bottle well and put a few drops on your fingertips and rub gently into the fur of the new cat's head between her ears.  That way you will be treating YOURSELF and her for your present anxieties.

She will not actually hurt the kitten so don't be concerned about that.  She may find him somewhat annoying and establish her dominance, letting him know her limits on interactions.

Answer 5

Give  it  a  chance.

Answer 6

I hope you decide to keep her. Although you really should have considered it before you got her, give her some time.  I wondered if it was right to adopt a second cat when i first did. Now i'm so happy that i did. If she bothers your other cat just make sure it doesn't get out of hand. You have to let them work it out on their own. Good Luck

Answer 7

Give the poor kitty a chance, any new cat in a new environment is going to be scared and meow and act weirdly.  After a few days the cat will be all cuddly and its the kittens territory right now so I doubt the bigger cat will act poorly towards it....

I'm sure it will all be ok

Answer 8

Well, I have learned my lesson, and approach PetSmart with a steel heart.   My last three cats came from there.

I think you are over analyzing things.  You can expect your three month old kitten to hiss and growl, and that is common.  It becomes an issue of which cat will be the alpha cat.  My latest adoptee was a very young kitten, and she got picked on by my older kitten.  The young kitten would scream, but then I watched, and within minutes of being put down by my older kitten, the young kitten came right back and attacked the older kitten.  Kittens and cats can play very rough, but they have very good feed back mechanisms, and know what their claws can do.

Give it a try.  Most adoptions from PetSmart, if they don't work out, require you to return the cat to the adoption organization.  (PetSmart makes space available to various shelters and rescue groups who actually provide the animals.)  And no, the next adopter would not get the cat free, as your $60 doesn't even come close to what they have put out in money for each of their cats for adoption.  They may have even had to spay her, and she probably has shots, etc.

There are two approaches to introducing two new cats.  One is the slow approach, a few hours at a time, and then there is what I do.  Put them together and let them work it out.  I have seen growling, hissing and chasing, but never any blood drawn.  And I currently have a diverse age range of cats, from under one year to over 13 years.

Have three litter pans, and at least one separated widely from the other two.  If room, then all separated.

And look at your house to see if there are vertical separations.  By that, can one cat get across the room at a different level from the other cat who may be on the floor, such as leaping from furniture to furniture?

Answer 9

You're overreacting I think. You're right it was an impulse by to buy this cat but you're not giving her a chance. Have you introduced them yet? I'd meow endlessly if I was taken to an unfamiliar place. Everyone needs time to adjust. If you see you or the kitten are still having problems after a couple of days with her,  yeah consider bringing her back. Hopefully by then she'll be part of your family.

Answer 10

ok, breath.

Make sure you don't put the cats together right away.  Put the new kitty in a quiet room, and let the kitties get to know each other thru the door...you can switch them around if you feel guilty about locking one up - but make sure you keep food and water for each of them in their respective areas.  When you think they will get along put them in a room where they can be watched (best by using two people) and use leashes so you don't get in the middle of a fight. Also have the cats be able to get away from each other (like a tall cat house).  If they start to hiss, take them apart immediately and put one back in the room.  Give positive reinforcement if they get along....

IF you are having kitty-remorse, it's ok.  Better to know now.  See what your adoption contract says about it.  You may not be allowed to give it to another person (remember Ellen DeGeneres?).  Read it completely, and there should be a place in it that tells you what to do if it doesn't work out.  Don't listen to people calling you a bad owner because you decided against it...better now than to just abandon it outside, or whatever.  You are NOT a hoarder - you only have two cats....if that qualified as a hoarder, I'm in trouble. I have four cats (and two still don't get along after 8 years, but they tolerate each other) - and my friend has a lot more (she's a feral-colony guardian).  BREATH.  You'll be ok.