Getting a cat AND a kitten at the same time?

Question

I'm looking at a local shelter for a cat for my boyfriend. I'm thinking about it and since he needs an indoor cat, I want to get him two so they have company and each other to play with for exercise (and I want to rescue all of them!).

I decided on one cat - an adult female who was a stray. She looks pretty young, maybe three years, with a shiny coat and healthy looking. As soon as I walked over to the cage she got up and pressed against the bars, purring. She's really friendly and so cute.

However I can't decide what I want to do about the second cat. My choices are pretty much between a young male and a kitten.

The male is one year old and a little more shy. He doesn't seem terribly skiddish since he did come up to the bars, just a little slower. The pros for him are that he's old enough to be past the shots he needs and is neutered so we'd be saved those expenses, but still young.

I haven't seen the kittens yet. One of the cats had a note that said she came in with her kittens. They should be old enough for adoption by the time I'm going to be ready to get the cats. My boyfriend did say something about wanting a kitten but would love an older cat as well. Like I said, the medical expense is much greater for a kitten, but my boyfriend may be okay with paying it (I still have to ask). Either way, it's not a major concern.

So would it be bad to get an older cat and a kitten at the same time? I know when you already have a cat you should introduce them slowly, so is it the same idea when both are new or might they adjust to a new home together? What kind of problems might they have?

Or would it be better to get the one year old?

NB: My boyfriend is pretty much fine with whatever I choose.

Answer 1

ask the shelter if you can see how the older cat interacts with the kitten.  as im sure you know, kittens are VERY playful and energetic, and some adult cats dont tolerate that sort of youthful energy.  others can be very nurturing and allow the kitten to play around them [especially with their tail, ive seen that before!].  just make sure that you are watching the two cats carefully when theyre together, because if the older one gets upset with the kitten, it could easily result in some claws coming out...

from my experience, if you have two or more older cats, they usually get along.  and if they arent all that compatible, they tend to just avoid each other [until its dinner time of course.  in that case theyll ignore their differences for the sake of a can of tuna.].

personally, i would adopt the two adult cats.  parents seem to always bring their kids in to get kittens because theyre small and cute and cuddly.  that always leaves the older cats at the shelter, so i just feel like its a personal duty to save an older cat from spending even MORE time at a shelter.  

GOOD LUCK!!!

Answer 2

If you get cats get some that are either both female. or both males. Unless you want them to have babies. You should introduce them slowly. Maybe get cats that are the same age.