considering another kitty

the title says it all.
what i am concerned about is jericho adjusting. for those that know how finicky he is and how aggressive he is towards humans he doesnt know, i was wondering if this would be a disaster.

im afraid he will start acting out even more because someone else is in his space and on his meowmy. but part of me thinks some of his social problems and acting out are because he needs a companion other than me to run around with and do those kitty type games with.

any thoughts?

If our experience with Dylan is any indicator, another cat is probably a good idea. Dylan was an only cat for six months, and his strong alpha nature led him to attack viciously whenever anyone got in the way of what he wanted.

We knew we couldn't bring a small kitten into that situation, so we chose Sassy, a four-month-old long-haired calitortie. We didn't know anything about introducing cats then, so we just put Sassy down near Dylan and waited to see what would happen.

Little Sassy raised her head high, walked right past Dylan, and whapped him in the face with her tail as she went by! They've been a cozy little couple ever since.

And as soon as Dylan had Sassy to dominate (insofar as she chooses to let him ), he stopped trying to dominate humans.

If you do get another cat, make sure they are close in age.

Reconsider was my initial thought when I read the title.

If I could go back to just Jack I would in a heartbeat. Though I love Harley and Pepper to death, they too would be happier without Jack.

Jack had a rough first 8 weeks of life and basically took care of himself, so he possessed very few cat skills if you will. After 8 months I thought the best fit was another cat, a bit older who could teach him a thing or two. However, it didnt work that way, he's still not great at being a cat and struggles to get along with the other two, who do great together. Now he's snotty and hateful, though smart as a whistle, which makes things worse.

Leslie

My preference is only one cat.

I always think another cat is a good idea.

If you keep your expectations in check (it can take months sometimes for a resident cat used to being an only to adjust to another cat) and do a slow introduction, it is almost sure to work out in the end.

It may take months or it may take days, but in the end cats usually do end up being pretty good pals.

And we can help with how to go about the introductions.

You can visit the shelter and see who Chooses you. The shelter can help steer you toward cats they think might be compatible with Jericho.

I too have a kitty who is dominant and shy/scared around strangers. Aya 2 1/2 has intergrated very well with my family's older pet, Midori a 10year old female. And both were only cats before the move from Japan. It's taken about 2 mos. of slow intros. Each having their own 'room' where the other is confined while one roams free in the house and gradually allowing them to spend more time out together. They really seem to enjoy playing 'footsie' under the doors with each other too!

They are still fascinated by each other, but with time there is less of that 'I have to follow/bother/annoy/fight that other cat.' and more of 'if you're over there that's okay, I am over here'...

The only real issue is Aya really wanting to be outside like Midori and we aren't letting her yet. Of course this is all reports from my mom as I'm still in Japan, but good luck to you if you want to get another kitty.

I'm always on the side of the multi-cat household. And we're really sorry that we didn't bring one of Mollipop's brothers home with her, although that would have taken us to seven cats, because we think she gets lonely sometimes. The rest of our gang are geriatric kitties who eat and sleep and play a little bit. Molli is more active and she should have a playmate. Amber does her best, but even she gets tired more so than Molli does. We play with Mollipop a lot during the evening to give her some active time.

When you're at work, your kitty is home alone. And yes, I think they get bored after awhile.

But....how are your allergies? Weren't you having some trouble with Jericho for awhile and had to give him up? I don't remember. Are you now on meds? And would another kitty trip your allergies again?

If you decide to get him a playmate, I'd choose a little girl this time, fairly close to Jericho's age. Not a kitten. And close to Jericho's temperament if you can do so. Sometimes little girls can take their big brothers down a peg or two!

Good luck with whatever you decide.

thanks for the input everyone!

yes i was having problems but that wasnt all attributed to jericho by any means. i was leading a VERY unhealthy life that i knew was putting my lungs in jeopardy. since then ive been keeping up on my meds and cleaning and making litter changes and keeping jericho brushed and wiped down. so i dont think another cat would be horrible for me.

when he was away for those 2 weeks he lived with 2 other cats and adjusted well to them, he was just very interested in everything they did. so part of me thinks he would be just fine because he is so nosey but that was their territory, this is someone coming into his...it may be different.
oddly enough jericho never tries to attack any animal he sees, out on his lead or watching from the window. he just wants to sniff and see what everythings doing. maybe its just humans he doesnt like!

Sounds like Jericho would do great with a companion. Like you say, it might be a little different when he is on his own territory but I bet it wouldn't take him long to adjust and accept.

Multiple cats are so fun. Watching them interact together will give you hours of pleasure and joy, and of course they will benefit from having each other. And you will be saving a kitty. It's win win win!

I was discussing this with a friend today and she thinks a kitten would be a better idea bc they are small and less threatening than one that's jerchos age or older.

Any thoughts on that?
This is really on my mind because he just seems like he needs more than me and his dad around. I just got home from work and am sitting on the couch and out of no where he jumped up and nipped my arm, then dashed into the kitchen and turned around all excited like and stared at me at me like "come get me, let's chase each other!". And he did it about 4 more times in a row.
If he had another kitty to play those chase games with I think he'd be so much happier.

Originally Posted by RiffxRaff

I was discussing this with a friend today and she thinks a kitten would be a better idea bc they are small and less threatening than one that's jerchos age or older.

Any thoughts on that?
This is really on my mind because he just seems like he needs more than me and his dad around. I just got home from work and am sitting on the couch and out of no where he jumped up and nipped my arm, then dashed into the kitchen and turned around all excited like and stared at me at me like "come get me, let's chase each other!". And he did it about 4 more times in a row.
If he had another kitty to play those chase games with I think he'd be so much happier.

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My first question is why didn't you get up and play with him, like he so obviously wanted? My cats love a good game of Chase with me, and then we get on the floor and have other games with their toys.

Young adult cats play, too. I really think it's more about how the introductions are handled than the age of the cat/kitten. Remember if you get a young kitten you have the concern over will Jericho hurt the kitten.

My suggestion is to go to the shelter, fill out an application, and see who chooses you. It may be a baby, it may not, you never know!