Getting another cat?

Miiri

Current situation is I have 2 male cats both neutered indoor cats. They were rescued and have been with us for 3.5 years and are probably around the 9 year old mark. They are both very affectionate and get on well with each other although like most brothers are prone to some bickering!

Now I have my own place, I'd always wanted to get another cat but my main concern has to be my original 2. I'm curious to see how other people have managed integrating into an existing pair and also whether it changed the dynamic between the existing 2 as well as with the new cat.

Fi (on behalf of treacle and bramble!)

valk_scot

We've introduced newcomers into an existing bachelor pad twice. First time was when we had two neutered males of 8 & 9, not related but had been together for five years. Indoor cats. Then we got an eight week old male kitten.


Well, the two old geezers didn't regard him as any sort of threat but they did think he was a bit of a pest. We didn't do any complicated introductions, just put the cat basket down and opened the door. Kitten bounced out and wanted to play. Big cats were completely confused, However like any two grumpy old men they were indulgent with the wee lad, they put up with him climbing all over them and pinching their food. They would give him a quick wash when he got too manky and a biff round the ear if he got too cheeky. They all got on fine after a bit of reshuffling and it's safe to say kitten gave them a new lease of life, the old guys were running around playing tig etc.


One year later one of the older cats had died (heart failure) so it was just as well other old guy had a pal to keep him company. Kitten had grown up and calmed down. Then we got another kitten, a 12 week old male...and it's the same all over again. Surviving Old Guy is the boss but he doesn't run around so much, the two young ones do that. There is the odd squabble but not much. They hang out in a gang. They play games, they sleep on my bed together (not touching!), they sometimes wash each other, they follow each other around to see if there's anything interesting going on. Definitely a family group though.


So to cut a long story short it wasn't any problem at all, either time. The young ones got neutered at six months of course so they didn't get too bossy. And I think it was helpful both kittens were males, as DS says it's a bachelor cat pad, girls would upset the dynamics. But the chief factor in new cat settling in was that in both cases he was young an thus not a threat. Cats are pretty social animals and even relative loner cats behave differently around kittens. So my advice would be to get a youngish kitten, say about 12 weeks so he's not too vulnerable to rough and tumble, and then cautiously let them all get on with it.

meritaten

my son Atrix has introduced lots of cats over the years to his permanent 'residents'. to my knowledge he has only had one complete failure - and that is Barney who I originally had for an extended sleepover but have now adopted.
I am no expert on this - I have only ever had one cat at a time, so will PM Atrix and ask him to give you his opinion. if that's ok?

Miiri

Thanks both - thats very helpful. My gut reaction is a younger male as much as I'd like to take on another older cat and its been soooo long since I had a kitten.

I will continue to think and continue to persuade my other half that another cat wouldn't really be that much of a problem
Fi

Tiglath

We must've had 20 or so cats over the years, and currently have 9. Only one failed to settle and eventually left completely. The most recent one has been with us for nearly 2 years and still has to be carried from the front door to the kitchen in case one of the others looks at him funny, but really it's all working out okay. The occasional spat - mostly we leave them to get on with it.

gettingready

with all the cats I ever had - always brought a new one in and just let it out and let them "get on with it" - never done any of the hiding one cat/swapping bedding/ etc etc

the only cat ever that would not accept another cat was my George but he was always an only cat and when I brought another one in - George started peeing/pooing on beds as a protest, after a while I rehomed that cat as did not want to stress George

if you get a kitten, all should be ok, an adult cat may not be so easily accepted