Should I get another cat?

donnac2558

Just a warning.   What happens if you get a new cat, and it is also a hunter?

Mickey666

Cat's are efficient hunters with a killer instinct that can't be tamed.  Even if your cat doesn't bring its prey into your house, that's just 'out of sight, out of mind'.  You can be sure the corpses of dead birds and mammals are out there somewhere, killed by your loveable pets.  There's no getting around it

AndreaParr

My kitten fell from the balcony of the 12th floor just a couple of months ago, and I still can't come to terms with his loss. So now I don't even have the idea to start a new one.

pinkteapot

Are you SURE your cat is OK with other cats? Don't even consider it unless you know. Ours was put in solitary at rescue as a kitten because he fought with all the other kittens. He cannot STAND other cats and the rescue said they would never home another one to us while we have in - he has to be an only cat. 

Even for cats more relaxed than ours, another cat arriving tends to be stressful for them and you have to handle the introduction pretty carefully... 

Multiple cats in a house don't tend to be 'friends' - they tolerate each other. 

Kim_kim

pinkteapot said:

Are you SURE your cat is OK with other cats? Don't even consider it unless you know. Ours was put in solitary at rescue as a kitten because he fought with all the other kittens. He cannot STAND other cats and the rescue said they would never home another one to us while we have in - he has to be an only cat. 

Even for cats more relaxed than ours, another cat arriving tends to be stressful for them and you have to handle the introduction pretty carefully... 

Multiple cats in a house don't tend to be 'friends' - they tolerate each other. 

Yeah, he visits the two girl cats next door, his ginger girlfriends.  He calls for them & cries outside the window until the neighbour lets them out! 

And he visits the house across the road, two cats.  He breezes in & curls up for a nap in the house!!! The neighbour said he’s no trouble & he doesn’t mind! 

He’s becoming a well known character.  

Kim_kim

donnac2558 said:

Just a warning.   What happens if you get a new cat, and it is also a hunter?

That’s why I haven’t done it.  Just in case.  

Lavendyr

Kim_kim said:

Lavendyr said:

He sounds like a very good hunter to me! 
Another cat won't change his habits. Have you tried a collar with a bell (or three) as Kim_kim suggests?
Ours bring in their prey from time to time - it's frustrating but unfortunately a thing you have to deal with to some extent if you have free-ranging cats who are naturally predatory.
You could alternatively consider cat-proofing your garden so your cat can't roam further than that, which might curb his habits somewhat.

My garden is 115 foot long.  Cat proofing it isn’t an option & anyway, I’d have to mouse & bird proof it! 

In that case I'm not sure another cat will curb your existing cat's natural inclinations. I had my first cat for a while. He brought in his kills. I got a second cat. My first cat continued to bring in his kills. If anything he brought more in. I just don't see the logic as to why an extra cat would cause your first cat to drop his hunting habit. 

Kim_kim

Lavendyr said:

Kim_kim said:

Lavendyr said:

He sounds like a very good hunter to me! 
Another cat won't change his habits. Have you tried a collar with a bell (or three) as Kim_kim suggests?
Ours bring in their prey from time to time - it's frustrating but unfortunately a thing you have to deal with to some extent if you have free-ranging cats who are naturally predatory.
You could alternatively consider cat-proofing your garden so your cat can't roam further than that, which might curb his habits somewhat.

My garden is 115 foot long.  Cat proofing it isn’t an option & anyway, I’d have to mouse & bird proof it! 

In that case I'm not sure another cat will curb your existing cat's natural inclinations. I had my first cat for a while. He brought in his kills. I got a second cat. My first cat continued to bring in his kills. If anything he brought more in. I just don't see the logic as to why an extra cat would cause your first cat to drop his hunting habit. 

I thought he might play with his friend instead of hunting.
He brought two lives ones in yesterday. 

Brie

Getting another cat might just double the amount of prey.  It depends on the individual cat!  Of our twin sisters only one was ever really a hunter.  But once she brought something in her sister was happy to help her "play" with it.  

kimwp

Getting another cat won't stop him bringing in prey, and it might upset him - visiting other cats is very different to having an uninvited (by him) cat in his territory. You'd be risking upsetting the dynamic you have with him and it is unlikely to solve the issue.