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Very affectionate cat -- needs (animal) friend?

post #1 of 7
9/11/11 at 8:09pm
Thread Starter 
I have a wonderfully, incredibly affectionate two-year-old neutered male cat named Moose. He "talks" to me in little chirps and coos, he meets me at the door when I come home... any time he's awake and not playing, he wants to be with me, on my lap or trying to drape himself over my shoulders like a fuzzy little scarf, and covering me in kitty kisses. Even when he sleeps (and isn't in my bed) he's on the floor by my desk, keeping me close. This is one *extremely* affectionate and cuddly cat.

I worry about him getting lonely when I'm not here.

I've tried to intro a kitty companion for him in the past, but he's *really* not having that... he does get along well with my friend's chihuahua though.

I am considering adding a cat-friendly small dog to our lives. But I am worried about how Moose would take it -- he is used to being the center of attention, and I don't want to hurt his feelings by making him split my already-limited time and attention with another pet. OTOH, I am hoping he will become friends with the dog, and become a little less dependent on me, so he won't be lonely when I'm not home.

...any thoughts? Do you think a super-affectionate cat would rather spend the days home alone, or have a doggie friend (but as a result get less attention from me because the dog will need time too)?
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post #2 of 7
9/12/11 at 4:45am
I'd be very reluctant to introduce a dog into the equation, since your guy is happy and enjoying you and your company.

That said, we always have a lot of chihuahuas and other small dogs at the shelter that will never find a home. There are just too many of them.
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post #3 of 7
9/12/11 at 9:14am
Thread Starter 
That's the thing though -- I don't know if he's happy!

I mean, he's happy when I'm here... but I'm not always here. I know cats are supposed to be independent, but this one is such a little cuddle-bug... I worry about him getting lonely while I'm gone at work all day. And half the time I end up having to lock him out of the bedroom at night, because he's a young and playful and doesn't always want to let me sleep...

Is it mean to leave such an attention-loving cat to spend so much time alone?
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post #4 of 7
9/13/11 at 2:56pm
I've been debating this too. My older cat Ricky is 15 and realistically at an age when he could go at any time right now he's in good health though (fingers crossed) I've thought about what I'll do if he passes I have a 4 year old cat named Rasta who I think would want company terribly as I'm away a lot. I've thought about maybe getting a small dog after Ricky passes on but I'm not sure how dogs and cats get on. I've always had cats but would like a dog as well. Ricky wouldn't tolerate a dog though and my apartment complex won't let me have more than 2 animals anyway.
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post #5 of 7
9/13/11 at 4:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by camellian View Post
That's the thing though -- I don't know if he's happy!

I mean, he's happy when I'm here... but I'm not always here. I know cats are supposed to be independent, but this one is such a little cuddle-bug... I worry about him getting lonely while I'm gone at work all day. And half the time I end up having to lock him out of the bedroom at night, because he's a young and playful and doesn't always want to let me sleep...

Is it mean to leave such an attention-loving cat to spend so much time alone?
My experience and two cents are that most domestic cats are very happy as the only cat in a household. All three of my pure domestics wish they lived alone . The Savannah loves them though, but only one accepts him.

I have also worked with hundreds of shelter cats and can say MOST feel the same as my pure domestics .
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post #6 of 7
9/13/11 at 4:16pm
In nature, the Little African Wildcat (the ancestor of the domestic housecat) is solitary most of the time. Most cats are just fine with being an only cat. We advise a companion for cats that are destructive, just to keep down their boredom, but it's a decision you have to make.

I doubt Moose would like having a dog thrown in the equation if he didn't like another cat in the house.
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post #7 of 7
9/13/11 at 5:09pm
My Fin is just like that, he's so super affectionate. He doesn't have any interest in the dogs whatsoever, but he adores his baby sister, Winn. They sleep all intertwined, it's adorable. When Winn gets too obnoxious, Fin holds her down and bites her. They're so cute .
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