Is it OK to get a 2nd cat?

Question

My female cat has lived with me for one year and now owns the house and garden. I have been offered a 2nd cat. How will my old cat react?

Answer 1

Well your cat will probably act a little strange around the new cat and he\she may react aggressive for the first say, couple of weeks but eventually will get used to the new little furball and maybe they'll even end up sleeping next to each other\with each other!

Answer 2

This is not an answer but my experience - I have never had a cat before but when I moved to a new place, I couldn't have a dog so I adopted a 3 yr old feline from the Humane Society (about three months ago).  Then 2 weeks ago, my vet called me to ask me if I wanted another kitten - they had just found a 7 week old abandonned in the ditch.  How could I resist?  My older cat is not real fussy about the male kitten but is slowly warming to him - I think they'll be great friends!

If you do decide to get the 2nd cat, best of luck to you!

Answer 3

100% great idea to get a second cat.

BUT introductions are extremely important. When you first bring new kitten home you should have her in a travel case or cage of some type or even just a box with holes in it. let your old cat sniff and investigate for a bit.

Then for the first few days keep new kitty confined to a smaller room while your old cat has run of the house. They can slowly get used to each other by talking and sniffing under the door.

Make sure to feed them separately forever, each wither their own special bowl or dish a bit away from each other.

Answer 4

its hard to say cause all cats are different. some cats would hate that you got another cat, and some would be happy. but either way ur cat would end up likeing the new one. thats how it always works. when i got anther cat, my other 2 cats hated him for hte first week. they get along fine now. your cat might even like it right away. so just get the cat and if ur other cat gets too stressed out about it than give it back. but im sure it will be fine.  

Answer 5

It is almost impossible to tell wether two cats will get along or not. Some just naturally get along or they hate each other. It is more common that they don't get along though. A kitten is better than a cat as it is more likely to get accepted. You have to think of your cats personnality aswell. If it scratches and bites other cats if they come on your lawn then it might do the same to the newcomer. If it is scared of everything then he might not appreciate another cat. If you are still not sure ten you can try getting the scent of your new cat. ways that you can do that are by swapping sleeping blankets and beds between the cats and rubbing a cloth down the face and flanks of both cats to mix their scents. Do the scent swapping for several days, certainly until neither cat reacts fearfully or aggressively to the smell of the other cat. Then you should let them see each other through a barrier, but if there is any aggression it might not be wise to keep them together.

Answer 6

females are a little bit more aggressiveve than males, but cats like to have others to play with.I would get another, but you deside!

Answer 7

I once had a female cat who had lived in the house alone for two years. We then got our second cat, who was also female. The cats did not like each other, and at the start hissed at each other a little, although after a while they calmed down. Naturally one of them was the dominant cat and always got to the food first.

I don't think it will prove to be a problem, although if a serious problem develops, for example constant physical fighting, you may have to reconsider having two cats.

Answer 8

she may not like her for a wile but she will get used to it

Answer 9

i've had 5 cats at won time they seemed to get along very well it takes time for cats to get uset to each other

Answer 10

You may struggle - you may not.  The best advice I can give if you do decide to take her/him is to rub a cloth over your cat - then over the new cat - this way they pick up their smell :)