Do I get another cat... hmmm - UPDATE

hazyjo

I've got one cat, Lottie. I had to have my beloved Jerry Cat PTS earlier this year.

I had Jerry first. Lottie was always definitely Cat No 2 in her own eyes. He would eat first and she'd get his leftovers (could never put down another bowl cos he'd have that, or donk her on the head or something. She would just sit there patiently letting him eat first, then she'd get the rest and usually another sachet).

He didn't bully her as such, he ADORED her, but he was the playful one. He loved hide and seek with her (usually with him hiding and jumping out on her lol) and he loved to chase her just about everywhere.

I always thought she just put up with him. He was very ill once and they laid back-to-back several times, and they'd occasionally be on the same sofa or bed, but she'd usually end up leaving. I think she did loved him although didn't show major signs of missing him when he went. She used to growl and raise her paw when he jumped on her sometimes, but the little tease did sometimes go looking for him and would deliberately make him chase her.

Anyway, enough waffling... I always thought that when Jerry went, Lottie would be over the moon. She kind of was... but lately (after my recent house move), she's been accepting other cats (lots seem to 'visit'!). She used to go totally mental and would chase cats out the house making a right song and dance about it, but she lets one come in and scoff her food now, and there was one on the fence last night which she's growled at before, but she seems to want to know. He sits there staring at her, and she turned her back on it last night while lying on the patio in front of him (presume a boy, dunno why). The tabby one that visits growls at her sometimes, but she's extremely curious about him and goes for a sniff often, and runs to where she think he'll jump into the garden (he has a jingly bell).

I would LOVE to get a second cat again. Obviously Lottie is my main concern and I don't want her to feel like she's in second place again (although she did seem to love that role at times!).

She would often follow Jerry, he was the brave one. When I last moved, she'd have stayed in the garden, but she followed him under a fence cos he went first. He would nick mice and things off her if she caught one. And she LOVES her basket now, but couldn't have one when Jerry was there cos the second she went in one, he'd decide he wanted it (even if he'd not been in for a year!).

Anyway... wanted to give you a bit of info her personality so sorry to hog the board!

Do you think I should let her be Top Cat and stay on her own, or do you think another cat would be good for her? It's so hard to call without knowing her, I know. Are there any obvious signs/traits that I'm not seeing? Have pretty much always had cats, but Lottie is a complex character. Loving and a fusspot much of the time, but scared of everything and if my BF goes in the garden when she's there, she'll often bolt over the fence and not come back for hours. She lays with him on the floor on his dressing gown every night and adores him. She's totally crazy!

Jx

calicocat

Maybe/not sure

Mmmmmmm........if it was me I would wait a little longer to see how she gets on with the other cats in a few weeks. also this could mean she ends up with pals anyway.

The reason I say this is as I have just moved and my Asbo cat isn't growling at others she sees through the front window......as yet.

I'm not sure if the some of the feliway has become permanently lodged into the 'sociable' area of her brain, or if it's just that she hasn't found her feet so to speak yet. To look at mine at the moment she would maybe be fine with another cat (something I would never have said would happen), so i'm hanging fire until she's been here a few months.......and that's just to let her out of the front where other cats roam. however saying that yours does seem quite friendly so far and is used to living with another cat, so maybe one soon would be better before she gets to 'own' the place.




I am well aware I have just contradicted myself here and gone round in a full circle with it.......cats eh....?!?....and realise my post is therefore of no help whatsoever.

*Scarlett

Yes

Maybe Lottie is more of a "passive" cat and wouldn't mind another moggie in the house.

If you get another kitten or cat she may just go back to her previous role and it seems she was happy in that.

If you get maybe a rescue kitten Lottie might want to assert her own role in the household.

Nothing is guaranteed though - sometimes the new kitty could be dominant - they have their own personalities and hierarchy that we cannot control!

We have 3 cats and definitely each has certain dominance.

meritaten

Maybe/not sure

I would say 'wait a bit longer'. she may enjoy 'visiting' cats but be jealous of her status as 'only cat'.

hazyjo

She's been in the house just over 4 months so a fair while now. I've always got rescue cats from CP. She was only a year old and had been dumped at vets with her 2 kittens. Was nervy about getting her as thought she might be too playful for Jerry as he was about 6 and not a massive play-cat. How wrong I was lol. She's about 6 now. If I get another, was planning on one around over 3 years old. There's only one I think would suit Lottie at the moment on the CP site. Getting kitchen replaced at end of month along with building work so might look around and ring for a chat after that

Thanks for advice. It's a difficult one to call. Would absolutely hate getting a cat which might have to go back if Lottie hates it. Would be devastated.

Will let you all know how it pans out. Thanks!

Jx

hazyjo

Update.

Okay, after deciding a flat no for around a month, I found a cat who I know I can give a good home to so I'm back to a yes, go for it - will take my chances!

He's had eye operations (eyelashes growing inwards ), flu, and was a stray. Not a great start in life. He's around 6 and is a very gentle shy unassuming boy (pale ginger and white - BEAUTIFUL).

I am picking him up next Saturday. Very excited, but extremely nervous.

The one thing that's bothering me is how long to keep the two of them separate? CP say a week! A WEEK!!! Jeez. Lottie and Jerry were barely apart a few hours - he was having none of it and was extremely excited at having her in the house. It feels way too cruel to me to put the new addition in a room for a week! I want him to settle in, know he has a loving home, and a 'new sister'.

I've bought him a basket with a hood (which he's used to) so he'll have somewhere to hide, plus he'll have his own room for as long as he wants it.

Did look up some old threads but mainly different questions or introducing a kitten, etc. Lottie's around 7 and the other (possibly soon-to-be-called-Morris) is around 6. The most similar thread had a comment from someone saying the intro was immediate and they let them get on with it!

What would you do? Wait a few hours? Immediate intro? Days? A WEEK!? Tempted to leave them separate for the one night, but not planning a week!

Would you leave him in for the full four weeks before letting him venture out? I've always waited for around 3 weeks when moving house (although Jerry snuck out within a few days of my move before last, explored the whole estate, then found his way home - I was distraught! Aww I really miss my boy, he was the smartest funniest thing - used to sit next to me and tap my shoulder for attention lol).

There have been a couple of screechy moments with the tabby cat who 'visits' (AKA greedy guts - he's managed to silence his bell to sneak in to eat, then jingles off as loud as he can!), and there's a black & white cat who just wants to stare at Lottie all the time (have caught her hiding under the garden table while he's been next to it staring at her. She seems nervy but extremely curious, he seems to love her. Been no hissing or fighting between them. Am hoping she'll be accepting of a new permanent brother in the same house.

Please keep everything crossed for us all!

Jx

tea_lover

Yes

Good luck We've only had our cat for 6 weeks but already I'm besotted with him, and his funny little personality. Hope your new addition settles in well. He sounds gorgeous!

lisajane8482

Yes

When we first got Gizmo we introduced him to Salem straight away under supervision. When we went out/went to bed we locked Gizmo in the kitchen and put a chair near to the door for him to sit/sleep on (we were awaiting the delivery of his scratch post) and put Salem’s scratch post near to the other side of the door so they could see each other. Whenever we were in they were both allowed out. After 2 days we left them out together on a night and then a couple of days later left them out constantly. We possibly should have waited longer but the constant meowing and scratching of the door at stupid o’clock in the morning was unbearable. They pretty much got along straight away, there were a couple of fights but nothing serious. The way we did it was perfect for our cats and I’m sure once you have got your new family member home you will know the best way to introduce them.

hazyjo

Thanks you two I do think you have to go with your own judgement on these things, you're right... have had cats for over 30 years now(!) but it's still all new when you get a new one! Jerry was very easy to work out, and I read him like a book. Lottie's just a strange one who contradicts herself all the time lol. I think Morris will be an easy one to work out - boys tend to me be more straightforward (us girls are always a bit complicated!).

Will add pics in a week

Jx

Better_Days

Congrats on new kitty. Don't forget to post a photo when you get him home.

As new kitty is shy I would start off with confining him to one room with all the necessities until he seems a bit more confident in his new surroundings. Then introduce him to Lottie, but near enough to his 'bolt hole' so he can run back if he is spooked. With nervous cats I think covered litter trays are a good idea, especially if there are other kitties in the household. (Also helps prevent the spread of litter if you have a digger!)

As he has moved both location and owner, keeping him in for a few weeks is a good idea. I have two very skitty kitties and when we moved I kept them in for 3 months, and when I did let them out only did so initially for short periods of time and when they were hungry.

So much depends on the kitties personalities, but as you are an experienced kitty person you should be able to get a feeling for what is right at what time for your new cat. The main thing is that he has a loving new home with a warm bed, a full tummy and healthcare. GL

Slinky

We got a new 6 year old cat from CP two weeks last Saturday. We let him out for the first time yesterday. He went out a couple of times with both me and OH trying to keep him in sight. Three times he was chased by another cat from next door but one who is literally twice his size. He went out a couple of times this morning on his own (nerve wracking for me) for 10 and 20 minutes, then again when I was hanging out washing. He got chased again by the big cat, fortunately each time he's run in the right direction, this time he got to the back door and I was able to shoo the other cat away. I do worry what will happen if my cat comes across the big cat when home isn't the easiest direction to run in....

I have to say it's been stress city (for me) letting him out, he'd been inside at CP for at least a month, but I know it's the right thing for him, he needs a life outside the house.