Get another cat?

~Beanie~

I currently have one cat, a 10 year old male. He has always been an only cat although has been to stay with my brother and his two cats in the past and was OK when we took a stray in for a couple of days last year.

He is a bit of a a mummy's boy and doesn't like being left on his own. When I occasionally go away for the weekend, my mum comes twice a day to feed him but he is always sick (nice present for me to come home to lol). The last couple of times I have used a Feliway diffuser when I have gone and so far it seems to have worked, no cat sick. He has also had a blocked bladder twice, which the vet says can be caused by stress.

My main problem is that I am going on holiday for a week next year and it is looking like he will have to be booked into a cattery. My mum is away the same time and there is no-one else that can come and feed him if I leave him at home.

I was wondering whether I should get another cat now to keep him company in the cattery (have been considering getting another anyway)? Do you think it would make it easier for him, being with another cat that he knows? Or is this a completely daft idea?

I don't want to spend the whole week of my holiday worrying about him but on the other hand, I need a holiday!

monty-doggy

My two cats are very independent and pretty much only tolerate each other at home. However when they are in the chattery they snuggle up together and are actually quite nice to each other!
I think it's a lovely idea to get him a friend and they will have time to bond.
Make sure you do a staged introduction so he doesn't feel pushed out and give him lots of treats. Maybe think about adopting an older cat rather than a kitten who might be too much for him to handle

antw23uk

I would say no to be honest. Cats generally only tolerate each other in multi cat households and your boy sounds like an intruder would be the last thing he would want!

I feel your pain ref the urinary track disease as we have one who gets flare ups when stressed which is why we could never put him in a cattery and if the neighbour couldnt do them we would pay someone to come in. Perhaps have a look around for a reliable cat sitter? They probably cost as much as a cattery anyway and he gets to stay at home where he feels safe

~Beanie~

I would definitely feel happier if he was still at home, last time I went away I did a deal with a friends daughter. She had a key to my house and the use of my PC & printer to do her homework etc as long as she fed and played with my cat whilst she was there. Sadly they have moved out of the area so this is no longer an option!

I will have a scout round the internet for a cat sitter, or ask in my area to see what I can find.

The idea of another cat was mainly just because I want one but more than one person has already said that Barney wouldn't like it.

meritaten

why don't you contact seven-day-weekend? she is a professional pet sitter and could advise you on costs etc.

PS my cat is called Barney too and I was dreading the thought of taking a holiday and leaving him either in a cattery or at home alone and someone just coming in once or twice a day! SDW has been advising me via PM. I am sure she wont mind if you PM'd her!

rising_from_the_ashes

I think you've got plenty of time to hopefully find someone to be able to pop in play / feed him

I have 2 who absolutely loathe each other - they have horrific fights (hurting fights that do damage and ended up with the poor dog getting stuck in the middle)

I have tried to rehome Mia - it didn't work (long story) so ... they now live in separate areas of the house

It's not great TBH - one of them is shut in one room of another as they can't both be out at the same time

Some are just happier on their own - if he's always been an "only" and is a mommy's boy (like my Archie!) he probably won't appreciate another being in the house (sorry)

atrixblue.-MFR-.

you don't know till you try.

people can speculate that it wont work, but its just that speculation.

done correctly, they may well get along together, some elder cats don't like the active high tempo of a kitten.

you need to find the combination. feliway can be help aswell as finding a cat that likes other cats, and proper introduction process.

most cats protection leagues during the initial home visit will discuss with you introduction, and if things don't turn out will take back the cat from you its worth a try in my opinion.

meritaten

yeah - I got my Barney because he couldn't cope in my sons 'multi-cat' household! he seems to love being an 'only' cat!
but you never know until you try!
as atrix says - most charities are desperate for owners or even 'foster' parents! may be worth a go!

Shoshannah

I would be extremely careful about getting another cat, especially if your boy suffers with stress-related cystitis.

Cats are a solitary species, unlike dogs and humans. They prefer to live alone and sharing their home with other cats can be a significant source of stress.

Read this before you decide:

http://www.icatcare.org/advice-centre/cat-care/multi-cat-households-and-how-survive-them

Shoshannah

monty-doggy wrote: »

My two cats are very independent and pretty much only tolerate each other at home. However when they are in the chattery they snuggle up together and are actually quite nice to each other!
I think it's a lovely idea to get him a friend and they will have time to bond.
Make sure you do a staged introduction so he doesn't feel pushed out and give him lots of treats. Maybe think about adopting an older cat rather than a kitten who might be too much for him to handle

Cats are socially mature around the age of 2-3 years of age. Getting a kitten would be a better idea than an adult cat, as the kitten would adapt much better to living with an adult cat and is more likely to be accepted by the existing cat.

Buttonmoons

I have 3 cats. female, male and male. I got a 2nd cat after I had Clio for a while as A) I wanted another and thought they'd be chums. No lol....She tolerates them, isn't nasty to them, but they sense she is a wimp, especially the youngest male so he likes to try and fight her, and she runs away hissing and spluttering, but then I dont really understand cat dynamics because the little bully cat will happily plop himself down/on/near the female and cuddle in while they both snooze and she is happy to allow it, it's just when his naps done he thinks its fine to whack her in the head.