Getting another kitten?

Question

I have a kitten now, who will be a year in 2 months. We adopted her in December.When we go to school or on day trips, i feel bad leaving her alone, so i want to get her a playmate. Although i should have gotten 2 in the first place but we are first time kitten owners. I think she would really enjoy another friend in the house.My dad has 2 cats of very different ages and a dog and all the animals get along great. If i get this new kitten which will be only a year younger then my cat now, how can i introduce her to the other cat? Will they eventually get along well? And will my other cat grow apart from me at first because i got another kitten?

please help and thanks

Answer 1

It totally depends on the cats.  I have a 5 year old cat that hadn't minded being a single cat.  I really wanted a kitten and was ready for behavior changes in the other cat.  I adopted a 12 week old kitten on Monday and today is Sunday.  They play, chase, and clean each other.  It was clear from the first day they were going to get along.  The second full day I had them both they had the run of the house I while I was working.  They get along really well, I was surprised.  This totally isn't typical, it just depends on the cats.  

Answer 2

We've rescued and taken in cats of various ages. The adults only hiss at the new kitten for a few weeks until they get the idea that the kitten is staying. They have to get used to each others scent. It would be best to get a younger cat of the same gender. Younger cats are less threatening to older cats and if they're of the same gender that may help your cat accept the younger one quicker. Some cats get along well right from the start, and other times it may take a while. Our one cat Emu doesn't like any new additions including hamsters. He'll hiss and hide for up to a month then, come out and be a nice guy to the new addition. It just depends on your cat. Since your cat has been by herself for quite sometime she will probably either be interested and curious in the new kitten or territorial at first. Most cats will eventually get along with each other, it just takes time. If you spend equal amounts of time with both cats (but your older one a little more time at first) your cats shouldn't grow apart from you. We've never had one that continued that after a month. You can introduce them by holding your cat (and her paws in-case she smacks the little kitten) and letting your older cat smell the kitten. Just try to get them used to each others scent. Good luck.    

Answer 3

It very much depends on the cats.  The typical lore is that you should keep them apart for the first week or so; they'll be able to smell each other, and it gives them an opportunity to get used to having the other around.  They'll fight a bit at first, but eventually they'll get used to each other.

But I've never known it to work out quite that way.  My girlfriend's family has three cats, and the older one (a bit of a hostile one in the first place) absolutely despises the other two, even though the second one has been around for some 9 years or so.

On the other hand, when we got our second cat a year and a half ago, for much the same reasons as you, keeping them apart just seemed very cruel, when they just seemed so interested in each other (and neither of them wanted to be all alone).  So after a couple hours of them both whining at the closed door separating them, we decided to accelerate the process a bit.  We had to keep a close eye on them for a little bit, make sure that the older cat recognized that the younger kitten wasn't a toy.  But they got along just fine pretty much from the get-go.

As for whether or now your other cat will grow apart from you...be cognizant of the fact that cats can be very possessive.  Make sure that you give the older cat lots of attention, so she doesn't feel left out.  At the same time, even her attention will be diverted to the new kitten, so as long as she isn't neglected, she should be alright.

That said, don't expect your old cat to be as socially dependant on you anymore.  Kind of goes without saying, and it's kind of the point of bringing another animal into the house, I guess.  Our old cat used to be absolutely devastated every time we left the apartment.  He isn't anymore.  He's still very affectionate at times, but now he has another playmate, so he doesn't always come to us every time he wants attention.

Answer 4

I did the same thing!  I got another kitten for my 8 month old cat I had already after my work schedule increased boy was that a mistake!  My cat hated the kitten hissed and wouldn't come near me and cried whenever the kitten was around.  It was to much so I had to find another good home for the kitten.  If your cat is happy and playful and you two share a special bond don't mess with it, when your gone he probaly just sleeps anyway, good luck!   I think it only works out well if the 2 kittens are adopted together.

Answer 5

All cats react differently. I had two females and got a male.

I introduced them by letting Ferris (the male) sit in a room (that the females had no real connection to) on his own while I went to see the girls in a room they liked. I let Ferris sleep on some bedding that night, and then put the bedding in the room with the girls and vice versa. I then after a few days of this, started to introduce by opening the door slightly and letting them sniff one another. Eventually they pushed through the door and Ferris started playing with one of the girls. They get on very well and seem to have a real connection to each other, but as I say, it depends on the cat.

Another cat will not take the affection away from you (you have the food!) in fact, you will get twice as much love from two kitties.

Please adopt from a shelter, for your cats new friend.

Best of luck, and best wishes.