Should I get a second cat?

dirocco901

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I have a 7 month old cat and I want her to have another cat to play with. I'm looking at a 5 month old cat, but I'm worried they won't get along. I just want to do whatever will make my cat happier. Do cats at that age usually get along?
 

lokhismom

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All my life I've had 1 cat until recently.      I have a 7 month old kitten and I never planned to have another kitty.    About a month ago there had been this young cat wandering around my backyard.   I felt bad but never imagined I'd bring him in the house until one day I came home from work and he had an injured front leg.   I rushed him to my vet and eventually my vet persuaded me to adopt him.  Vet figured the new cat was about 9 months old. 

I was a nervous wreck because I've never had 2 cats in my life.   I was worried how my 7 month old kitty Lokhi would accept him.    I read everything I could about introducing cats.   I kept them separated for a couple of weeks.  I kept the new kitty in the bathroom.   Rubbed each of them with a towel and let them sniff each others scent.   Fed them each on opposite sides of a door.   Eventually I opened up the door and let them see each other.    Lots of sniffing. A few growls but it worked!   They got along and now they are always together.    They wrestle a lot.  Chase each other.    Eat together.   My Lokhi is probably annoying to him since he constantly wants to play and the 9 month old can't play as much until his front leg heals. 

I was told that its easier to introduce kittens.  

So as long as you do it properly and give it time I see no reason why you shouldn't get another.   I'm glad the new one came into my life.  I think my Lokhi is very happy to have a playmate when I'm not around. 
 

maureen brad

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If you want another cat get one. I have introduced many cats and if you are patient ( which is hard) it works. This last kittie I brought home got along great with my 8 year old cat when they met in the second week. It took 2 months for him to get along with my other cat but now they do. Keep them separate and don't rush it. I know many people say to rub towels on each of them. I don't so that because I have read that just rubbing towels on the cats and leaving them where they have the opportunity to smell them is best. I read that rubbing towels on the cats that have the other cats scent can be bad because if the cat does not like that scent it is kind of like someone rubbing a perfume on you that you hate and not allowing you to wash it off.Really, if you want another cat get one. It isn't much more work and it is twice the joy.
 
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dirocco901

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I'm just worried because I live in an apartment so keeping them separated for more than a few days would be difficult. The whole reason I want another cat is so she can have another cat to play with.
 

lokhismom

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I'm just worried because I live in an apartment so keeping them separated for more than a few days would be difficult. The whole reason I want another cat is so she can have another cat to play with.
I live in a apartment as well.   I had to keep the new cat in the bathroom for about a week.    It was challenging but I did it. 
 
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dirocco901

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I live in a apartment as well.   I had to keep the new cat in the bathroom for about a week.    It was challenging but I did it. 
Wouldn't that be cruel to keep a cat that's 5 months old in a bathroom for weeks though?
 

lokhismom

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Wouldn't that be cruel to keep a cat that's 5 months old in a bathroom for weeks though?
I kept him there for about a week so thankfully it wasn't weeks for me.     I bought him a bed, scratching post toys and of course, food and litter box.   When I wasn't at work I'd go in and play with him for a good amount of time.   My resident cat was curious and he would try and stick his paw underneath the door and vise versa.  The new cat would growl a bit but when I thought the intro might go well I did it.   Thankfully, about a week was a sufficient amount of time. 

What I also did a couple of times is switch rooms for a bit.  I'd put my Lokhi in the bathroom and let the new guy out to explore the apartment and become familiar with the smell and surroundings and Lokhi familiar with the new cats scent. 
 
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zoneout

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There are no guarantees that cats will get along. They all have different personalities and some may get along great and some may clash. It just depends. If it were me I would ask the place you are getting the second cat from if you can return it if they do not get along. Be upfront about it just in case.

I think you do stand a better chance if the cats are closer in age. Many older cats find rambunctious kittens just plain annoying.

Good luck!
 
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dirocco901

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Alright, I guess I'll go ahead and give it my best try to make it work. I was told the other cat gets along great with other cats, so hopefully it works out. Not sure how my cat is since she hasn't been around any cats since she was 2 months old. 
 
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