Introducing a new FIV+ cat - Pros and Cons - Advice, please.

Hello, I am writing to you at it's 06:50am and I am having one of those nights, where your mind doesn't seem to shut off, and this seemed like the "purr-fect" place to voice some of my worries (or at least, the cat related ones).

I have a 6 year old FIV male called Rinsewind, whom I adopted from the RSPCA two years ago. He at first was aloof and stand-offish, and quite content to do his own thing (eat and sleep), but I resigned myself to the fact that he'd never be a lap-cat. I don't know when he started becoming as needy as he is now, but it seems to have crept up to the point where if I go to the bathroom he follows and sits eye-level on the washing machine to watch, or, if I pop upstairs for something I've forgotten, he'll sit at the bottom and cry for me, until he gathers his wits and comes up to see what I am doing. He is not keen on being petted, but he's started to sleep behind my legs, and is currently curled up against me on the sofa. This has level of touch-comfort has only been since Christmas, when my partner and I stopped over at a friend's house. I don't believe prior to that we have ever been apart, and even if he didn't sleep on the bed with us, he was underneath it, or we was there to attend to his morning feeding.

Recently, a 4 year old female FIV+ cat has turned up at the RSPCA, and I am debating whether a cat companion is what Rinsewind requires, or if it would have a detrimental effect on him due to stress. I realise that introducing a cat would cause stress for at least 3 months whilst they get use to each other, but I hope that in the long run it would turn out to be something that would enrich Rinsewind's life. I feel, however, that in overall, adopting this cat would not only help Rinsewind, but would give this cat an opportunity at a loving home, as older cats with FIV are not the most sought after pet.

I believe I just need some advice on whether you personally would do this, or, encouragement in the belief that I am doing the right thing.

Thank you in advance for reading this,
  Natalie

I think that if you take things nice and slow, it will be fine.  I applaud you for adopting FIV+ kitties.

That's what I am planning on doing - slow and steady. Been to see her twice, and she's a little sweetheart! She's been a bit poorly, with some sickness that's going around the RSPCA, so going to wait until she's better so she doesn't pass it onto Rinsewind.
I'm just a bit worried about how Rinsewind is going to take the disturbance, but I'm intending on sleeping downstairs with him a few times a week, just to reassure him that he's still #1.

I think with a slow and proper introduction, she might be the second best thing to ever happen to Rinsewind 

SOunds like you are on the right track - always remind him that he is #1,and he will surely be very happy to have her company!

that is so wonderful to take in another FIV+ cat. I think you have the right idea, part of making the relationship work between the two kitties is that they believe you love them both equally and there is no jealous issues that might complicate things. I'm in the process of introducing a new kitty to two resident kitties as well and have her in a separate room upstairs for the time being for reasons spelled out on another thread. The alpha resident kitty has all of a sudden become somewhat more needy and requiring more attention than ever? attention she didn't seek as much in the past...is this pure coincidence? or a sense of a new cat in the house and she is making sure my affection is still with her? I'm making a lot of effort to make her feel wanted more than ever and hope that'll ease things down the road when the kitties will meet.

We have 8 cats, all feral rescues. One of them (the most recent rescue) is FIV+. I've found that when introducing new cats, even though my instinct is to "protect" and fuss over the new kitty, things go much more smoothly if I focus more attention and time on the resident cats, and always pay attention to them first. :nod:

If you're able to make proper introductions (keeping the new cat separated in a safe room), I also find it helps to make the first actual meetings (beyond sniffing through the cracked door) in the safe room of the new cat - and focus NOT AT ALL on them meeting, but bring the resident kitty in for a few minutes of play time, or treats (or a few minutes of play, then treats for both, resident kitty getting treats first) - and totally focus on the playing, not them meeting. And leave it at that, remove resident kitty from the room (with HEAPS of praise).

I think it really helps introductions go smoothly with all the extra attention, play, treats, etc. being showered on the resident kitty, so they think the new cat just meant all kinds of good things for them!