I haven't been here in a while, but I keep up with the postings and learn a lot even though I am an experienced "kitty mom"! 
However, I have a question about adding a second cat to the family.
My late cat, Casey,
was a real lovebug and was very sweet to everyone. He was a bit shy, but never aggressive and pretty much content to lead a contented life sitting by the back door sliders watching the squirrels and birds. He was adopted as a very young kitten.
Casey died two years ago and we took in a stray tom cat that my brother found. He is a tuxedo cat and exceptionally beautiful. He has been neutered and the vet estimates him to be about 2.5 years old at this point. He seems to get highly stimulated while someone is petting him and he nips very easily. He has no other bad habits - he is litter trained, does not spray, he eats well, etc. It seems that all "cuddling" has to be on his terms, which is okay. I think he likes people, he was just probably never socialized (I highly doubt he ever had a home). But he is not shy and will readily go to strangers; I just think he gets overwhelmed with too much attention and doesn't know what else to do but nip. I just wonder sometimes whether he might be missing the company of other cat friends. He was living in something of a small colony of cats and I know he has a "brother" or "sister" somewhere in the vicinity of where he was found who could not be trapped. My vet says that some cats are just like this and she has boarded him on a few occasions with no issues at all - yes, he is "mouthy", but not a mean cat.
Since we have never had more than one cat at one time (we've had a dog and a cat, but do not have a dog at this time), I wonder whether adding one would be a good idea or not. I would love to give another cat a good home, but I do not want to do so at the risk of upsetting Buddy and/or causing undue stress. If I were to do so, what would be the best kind of cat to adopt - younger, older, male, female.....my guess would be a younger or same age female cat with roughly the same temperament (not too shy or timid), but that is just a guess. I know a great rescue who would work with me on choosing the right cat, but I'd love to get some feedback from this group.
I would be most appreciative of any advice you could offer - many thanks!
However, I have a question about adding a second cat to the family.My late cat, Casey,
was a real lovebug and was very sweet to everyone. He was a bit shy, but never aggressive and pretty much content to lead a contented life sitting by the back door sliders watching the squirrels and birds. He was adopted as a very young kitten.Casey died two years ago and we took in a stray tom cat that my brother found. He is a tuxedo cat and exceptionally beautiful. He has been neutered and the vet estimates him to be about 2.5 years old at this point. He seems to get highly stimulated while someone is petting him and he nips very easily. He has no other bad habits - he is litter trained, does not spray, he eats well, etc. It seems that all "cuddling" has to be on his terms, which is okay. I think he likes people, he was just probably never socialized (I highly doubt he ever had a home). But he is not shy and will readily go to strangers; I just think he gets overwhelmed with too much attention and doesn't know what else to do but nip. I just wonder sometimes whether he might be missing the company of other cat friends. He was living in something of a small colony of cats and I know he has a "brother" or "sister" somewhere in the vicinity of where he was found who could not be trapped. My vet says that some cats are just like this and she has boarded him on a few occasions with no issues at all - yes, he is "mouthy", but not a mean cat.
Since we have never had more than one cat at one time (we've had a dog and a cat, but do not have a dog at this time), I wonder whether adding one would be a good idea or not. I would love to give another cat a good home, but I do not want to do so at the risk of upsetting Buddy and/or causing undue stress. If I were to do so, what would be the best kind of cat to adopt - younger, older, male, female.....my guess would be a younger or same age female cat with roughly the same temperament (not too shy or timid), but that is just a guess. I know a great rescue who would work with me on choosing the right cat, but I'd love to get some feedback from this group.
I would be most appreciative of any advice you could offer - many thanks!
)
