Should i get him a friend?

calicomouse

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Hey guys,

I am debating on if i should get my furry kid a friend/family member..

He seems lonely, even if we are all home. maybe he needs a furry friend to keep him company.. But im not sure if i should get another cat or maybe a dog?
We puppy sit our neighbors dog and the cat gets scared and yowls-- i think thats what that sound is. and then he hides in the room until the puppy leaves.
We take him out for walks on a harness to explore near by areas. he met another cat named luna who sits in a window, he looks at her then continues on his way-- uninterested...
 

Im afraid if we do get a new animal he wont like them, and then i wouldnt know what to do.. 
But i also feel like he does need another animal in his life..

on the other hand- my girlfriend is afraid that shes not going to love another animal the same way she loves charlie...

so-- 

Should i get another pet? if so, a cat or dog? or-- a kitten or puppy?
Should i try to invite a friends cat or dog over on a supervised playdate? does that work?

any other opinions will help...
 

red top rescue

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It sounds like a puppy is NOT a good idea!  Your cat has already told you how he feels abut that by yowling and hiding when you puppy sit.  That is NOT what he wants for a friend.  If cats are stressed, they tend to develop bad behaviors or illnesses or both, so why do that to him? 

If he seems lonely even when you are home, are you playing with him?  It's great that you have harness trained him and take him for walks, but do you have a DaBird toy and/or laser pointer?  Do you give him several 15 minute play sessions every day?  Do you have a cat tree by a window and a birdfeeder outside so he can watch "kitty tv"?  Have you "catified" your apartment with shelves and such so that he can move through it on several levels?

You didn't say how old he is or what his background is.  If he's quite young and hasn't been away from other cats for long, he might enjoy a kitten.  If he's older, he might prefer an adult cat who is good with other cats.  Unlike dogs, cats do take time to adjust even to new friends they will LIKE, so you can't usually just bring in another cat or kitten for a "play date" --

There are many things to consider, and if you do decide to adopt, obviously your girlfriend should help choose the new pet because there is a certain chemistry that happens between animals and people and you can't predict it, it just happens.  Anyhow, speaking for Charlie here, "Please dont get me a puppy!"
 
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calicomouse

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Haha i agree on the puppy thing. The only reason i mentioned a dog at all was because he enjoys watching neighbor dogs walk by the windows. 

Background: I got him from a lady who had 2 other cats. and a pugs. when i had all 3 cats in my house charlie ignored the others but that might have been because they were mean.. no just to him but in general. 
 

Charlie is 5 as of a few days ago :D! I dont know if thats young or old.. it seems younger to me?

He loves laser lights. and the wand toys. and apparently q-tips... we do play with him but i dont think its enough. 

As for the house set up: My roomates are into "privacy" so the windows usually are closed. then they wonder why my cat is so needy and "hyper". 

I wasnt sure how big of a cat tree to get. because its only one cat. but i know i really want to get him one. --- we used to have a shelf in the bedroom and he always went to the top. i was scared it was too high so i always took him down... that shelf is gone. theres not much else to climb on.. 

Im glad you helped me cross off the puppy and playdate part. This was super helpful-- please keep the advise coming! :D!
 
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