I'm thinking about getting another cat

I suggest an adult cat, but not another senior. You have one already and financially taking another one on so soon may be a bit daunting. But if you think you have the funds, fine. Just be aware that kitty intros could stress Abby and make her ill, which could be an extra vet bill for you.

Are there any small rescues that are more lax or maybe even someone on here that knows a person nearby you that has a cat that desperately needs a home?

You can determine personality and interaction style if the cat you pick is kept around other cats. More so if you've had plenty of cats in your past and can read cat body language very well. I haven't been wrong yet on any of basic personality on any of the cats I've brought into my home and thus knew what to expect on each of them (easier if you're adopting an adult, IMHO, but after a while you get good at reading kittens, too.).


O/T: I wonder if rescues will ever try checking credit ratings or financial history?...

Originally Posted by cococat

Maybe two kittens

I have no real advice but am glad you are considering adding another kitty who needs a home. That would concern me the apartment says no pets but you are lucky you have been grandfathered in.

Click to expand...

Not grandfathered. When I moved here the policy was in effect. But I never told them and I made no attempt to hide them either.

When I was in the hospital in 2004, the caretaker looked after my kitties, and the apartment manager has been to my apartment for various inspections of plumbing issues in the building etc. She loved Chynna!

I'm even so bold as to cross of "NO PETS!" which is right below where I sign my lease, and hand it in that way. They witness it and never say anything to me.

I think it's because I'm a good tenant and my cats aren't roaming the hallways or trashing the apartment (no rugs), and I keep the kitty litter very clean so there is no smell.

I'd talk to the shelter about it. What you're looking for is a cat-friendly kitty who has displayed no dominance issues - I'd definitely want an older, mellow male. Our girls - other than Flowerbelle - always have issues with other females. ALWAYS.

I've found the girls to be really jealous. And if a kitty that would work does choose you ( ), then just remember to always give Abby attention first, and help her understand how much fun it is to have the other kitty around because it means SHE gets more treats and food and love and attention!

I think a boy is also a good idea. My female is very jealous and territorial. The boys are just goofballs.

I would wait until Abby isn't so needy. Sounds like she has a lot of lovin' she wants to catch up on with you. If/when you do get another kitty, take your time doing the integration, if it's rushed you could end up with Abby feeling left out (could start problems) when the new kitty gets a lot of attention.

It's a tricky situation, I keep thinking "if it's not broke don't fix it" and Abby seems really happy with just you. My response would be different if you found a rescue who has already grabbed your heart. But having another cat there when you are gone could go either way; good or bad. And another cat doubles the expense... Good luck!

I think it's a good idea, but as a previous poster mentioned, talk to the shelter as they'll know the kitties that are dominant and which are laid back. I'd go for an older kitty (maybe 5-7 yo) and a male. Kittens are fun, but can be very stressful for older kitties. I think if you worked closely with a shelter/rescue and you got a laid back kitty, you'd see that once they got acclimated your girl would still be lovey like she has been lately.

I will always go along with getting another kitty; so many are living in shelters and they need you.

When we got Mollipop, we knew we needed a kitten and not an older kitty. The last time we brought in an older kitty (Pumpkin was a young male cat), BooBoo made Pumpkin's life terrible. Tt was bad for almost a year before Boo adjusted to another cat. We found that bringing in a kitten was so much less traumatic for BooBoo, probably because to Boo, a kitten would be no threat. Just something to think about....how Abby would react to a kitten versus an older kitty. A kitten really can be a lot of work and Abby might not enjoy having a rambuctious bundle of fur flying about the house!

If you think Abby feels comfortable with just you, don't rush it. And that will give you time to decide for sure whether you'd like a kitten, young cat, or older cat. Boy or girl.

I like the idea of talking to people at a shelter....they would be able to help you decide, too.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by SwampWitch

I would wait until Abby isn't so needy. Sounds like she has a lot of lovin' she wants to catch up on with you.

Click to expand...

That`s my decision I think she is relishing having me all to herself. When it`s her time for the RB I`ll open my home to 2 kitties of the same age who are starting out on equal terms.

I can only tell you what happened to me and my RB kitty Misty. Misty was an only kitty for two years, I adopted her at about 6 weeks old. After two years I adopted another female kitten who took over the house. She wouldn't let Misty get near me and would eat her food. I had to feed Misty in the bathroom so Pepper wouldn't push her away from her food. She wouldn't let Misty get into bed with me either. I hung on for almost 9 months and nothing changed except Misty's unhappiness. I finally gave Pepper to my dental tech who wanted a kitty. I just couldn't watch Misty being so sad. Maybe it wasn't the right thing to do but for me it was, Misty was my 'firstborn' and I could see her slowly getting very timid and afraid. I could not stand for that any longer.

So yes it is a big decision for you to make, seeing how Abby is now without Chyna is a real eyeopener. If she is happy now, maybe you should just her be. Again this is a tough decision but I just wanted you to know my story, of course all cats are different.

Originally Posted by LaRussa

seeing how Abby is now without Chyna is a real eyeopener. If she is happy now, maybe you should just her be. .

Click to expand...

Yes. I've decided to not adopt another kitty at this time. She was always loving towards me, but since Chynna died, it's different. She seems more secure and relaxed during our cuddle sessions and isn't on guard looking out for Chynna to butt in or chase her away.

Thanks for all of the input and advice. It helped me work this through to an answer that I feel is the right one for both me and Abby at this time.

Originally Posted by Natalie_ca

Yes. I've decided to not adopt another kitty at this time. She was always loving towards me, but since Chynna died, it's different. She seems more secure and relaxed during our cuddle sessions and isn't on guard looking out for Chynna to butt in or chase her away.

Thanks for all of the input and advice. It helped me work this through to an answer that I feel is the right one for both me and Abby at this time.

Click to expand...

Natalie I think you made the right choice right now. As long as Abby is happy, that's all that matters and she will get used to being alone during the day and be jumping for joy when you walk in the door. She will know she doesn't have to share you with anyone and she certainly needs that right now.

Ugh! I'm still yearning for another kitty! I know I made the best decision for Abby because she still seems to be reveling in having all of my attention whenever she wants it, but I can't get rid of that yearning.

I'm almost 49 years old and it seems that my biological clock has kicked in! And I'm definitely a crazy cat lady because my biological clock is yearning for a cat, not a kid!

Linda, what about looking into fostering - maybe you can talk to a shelter about fostering the older strays???????????????? Then you can guage Abby's reaction - and either keep fostering, or adopt, or stop fostering!

Originally Posted by LDG

Linda, what about looking into fostering - maybe you can talk to a shelter about fostering the older strays???????????????? Then you can guage Abby's reaction - and either keep fostering, or adopt, or stop fostering!

Click to expand...

I could never be a foster! I love cats too much to be able to just give them up. I'd end up with a second cat, and a third .....

Abby needs to be an only kitty because she is just such a different kitty since Chynna went to the RB. She really is loving not having to vie for attention, and is a completely different kitty now. She isn't as timid. Heck, when the delivery guys were putting my bedroom furniture into the bedroom, Abby laid on the bed watching them. 6 months ago she would have been cowering in the closet out of fear.

I know I made the right decision to not get a second kitty, but that doesn't stop me from feeling the aching pull to get one. Stupid cat lady biological clock!

Originally Posted by Natalie_ca

I could never be a foster! I love cats too much to be able to just give them up. I'd end up with a second cat, and a third .....

Abby needs to be an only kitty because she is just such a different kitty since Chynna went to the RB. She really is loving not having to vie for attention, and is a completely different kitty now. She isn't as timid. Heck, when the delivery guys were putting my bedroom furniture into the bedroom, Abby laid on the bed watching them. 6 months ago she would have been cowering in the closet out of fear.

I know I made the right decision to not get a second kitty, but that doesn't stop me from feeling the aching pull to get one. Stupid cat lady biological clock!

Click to expand...

Natalie it all comes down to who you want to please, Chynna or yourself. If Chynna is happy now, don't spoil it for her. Sometimes or maybe all of the time we have to put our cats happiness ahead of ours.

Originally Posted by LaRussa

Natalie it all comes down to who you want to please, Chynna or yourself. If Chynna is happy now, don't spoil it for her. Sometimes or maybe all of the time we have to put our cats happiness ahead of ours.

Click to expand...

I have to make Abby happy. Unlike me, she wouldn't understand an intrusion into her home. So I have to put her needs first.

There will be a time when she is no longer with me , then I'll bring in 2 litter mates who already know one another. But now is not the time no matter how much my desire.

Originally Posted by LaRussa

Natalie it all comes down to who you want to please, Chynna or yourself. If Chynna is happy now, don't spoil it for her. Sometimes or maybe all of the time we have to put our cats happiness ahead of ours.

Click to expand...

Linda is putting Abby's needs ahead of her own. She's just sharing her ...pull of the "cat lady biological clock" with people who understand.

Well - it was an idea. Fostering is for those with a special emotional make up. We tried - sometimes successfully.