Input wanted on adding a new kitten

Hi everyone, I have a question I have been wrestling with for at least a year and I would like to get input that may help me make a decision.

 

I have had cats all my life and presently have just one cat (Buck) who came from the local Humane Society as a kitten. Buck will be 17 at the end of February. While Buck is amazingly healthy right now, I know that he isn’t going to be around forever. So I have been debating about getting a kitten.

 

I hesitate because I don’t have a clue how Buck would react to a new kitten. In the past I have only ever had one cat at a time, so I don’t know what to expect. I know that all cats are different (Buck is very laid back), but is there such a thing as a normal reaction? While I have had cats all my life, I have never introduced a new cat/kitten to an older cat.

 

My other hesitation is that we also show and breed Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and we have several of the Cavaliers. While Buck has always been beyond good with the dogs and the puppies that we have here, I am fearful that we may never get another cat as good and as tolerant as Buck. We normally have two (occasionally three) litters per year and, as you can imagine, puppies can be really exuberant. Our adult dogs have no issues with a puppy chewing on a tail or ears, but a kitten is not a puppy. We would never want a kitten hurt or vice versa.  

 

Because we show and breed purebred dogs, I might tend to lean toward getting a kitten from a reputable breeder. But I wonder if a reputable breeder would want to place a kitten in a house full of dogs; I would sure understand if a breeder was hesitant. We are also the rescue contact for MN for the national Cavalier club, so I am also open to going through a rescue or the local Humane Society. Although I again wonder if a Rescue would be interested in placing a kitten here. What I am NOT interested in is buying from a BYB, pet store or broker for a kitten mill; hopefully with my experience in dogs, I can spot a BYB or kitten mill broker.

 

I know how to introduce a new dog or puppy to our clan, but I have never introduced a new kitten/cat. When Buck came here as a kitten, we had just two Cavaliers. So what do you think about adding a kitten to the chaos that is our household? Would I be smarter to wait until Buck is at the Bridge? Has anyone had the experience of adding a kitten to a house with older cats or a lot of dogs? Any input is greatly appreciated.

Frankly I'd wait before getting another cat/kitten. You may get a kitten that doesn't know what a dog is so shouldn't be any problem. We when I got my thrown away puppy he had no idea whaa cat was and was greeted with love from one cat and a healthy spit from the other.
I'd still not get a kitten now. You don't want to upset Buck but that's just my opinion.

Hi Bruce, I think you should enjoy Buck by himself as long as possible. Why rock a happy boat? You could easily bring in a kitten later, and it would certainly be easier on the household if the kitten didn't need introduced to both dogs and puppies, as well as a senior cat. Just my opinion. [emoji]128570[/emoji]

I often dream of having at least one more cat but like the others here I err on the side of appreciating the cat you have and not rocking the boat.

Cats often prefer the company of dogs to other cats as, if they have grown up together and do not fight, they find being with dogs less threatening and stressful than having to negotiate territory with another cat.  

Think carefully about what is best for Buck before you do anything to add to your home.  

Thank you all so much for your input so far.

It sounds like I'm thinking along the same lines as others; leave well enough alone. The only reason I was considering it now is because I'm considering buying a kitten from an ethical breeder; if the good cat breeders have the same kinds of waiting lists that we many times have for our puppies, the wait could be substantial. The bottom line is that I want what is best for Buck.

What Is Best For Buck Is To have his dad's undivided attention in his old age. Obviously the dogs get your attention too.

Hi @Bruce H, I sort of take the opposite line, in that introducing a kitten while Buck is still alive, may not add any more chaos, than puppies actually do.  I think that TCS has many Articles that talk about Proper Introductions between animals.

Perhaps you could foster a kitten, and see how that experience is, but I would imagine that it would take weeks and months until everyone finds their place in the situation.

Since Buck is laid back, he might not even care about the new addition.  He might teach the youngster how to be laid back, too.

I have only had the experience of adding a kitten to a house with two older cats, but the older cats were 12 and 14, with an older 11 year old lab/retriever dog, at the time.  For the most part, the 14 year old cat did not like the youngster kitten, and the kitten learned to stay out of her way, but the 12 year old male cat loved to play with the male kitten, and when he got too tired he retreated to the 2nd floor to sleep.  The older dog did have a few growls at the kitten, with the kitten biting his tail and bothering him, but the kitten learned quickly....and the dog grew up around cats, so was very tolerant.  Though I have to say, that in the beginning we basically watched everyone's reactions, and did have to intervene, from time to time.

I think that there are no real guarantees in life, and like you said every cat and dog personality is different...but I do know that fear of situations and worse-case scenarios running through my head, kept me thinking that my new puppy would have to live on one floor of the house, while the cats lived on the other.  Nope, it took months but everyone settled into their own comfortable places.  (We did however wait to get a new puppy, after the older dog passed away.)

What ever you decide, I wish you well.

From an experience I had recently bringing a young cat in for a companion for Swanie after our other cat passed - You want to make sure you get one who won't bully your older cat.  Poor Swanie was hiding in the closet and afraid to come out! 

I have no experience buying from or having a cat from a breeder - ethical or otherwise. There are so many cats out there that need homes and love, I wouldn't consider a breeder no matter what (no offense intended).

At Buck's age, I wouldn't try adding a kitten right now.  He sounds like a wonderful cat who does very well with your dogs.  Why potentially stress or upset him in his old age?  

If Buck passes and there's too long of a waiting list with the breeder, there are so many deserving kitties waiting at shelters for good homes--no waiting list.  

If you do decide to get a kitten, get a very extra large dog crate and put it in your living room for the kitten.  The crate needs to be placed in the heart of your home, around all the dogs and Buck's activities.   It has to be big enough for a littler box, food and water, play area with a bed.  Leave the "little girl cat" in it for several days. Then slowly start bringing her out, hold it and let the dogs smell her.

You won't have to worry about Buck smelling the "female cat".  He will probably take to laying by her cage and getting to know her through the bars.  As will the dogs.

This is how I have introduced new cats in my household of 4 dogs.  

It works. Buck will love her if he is an only cat.  I would get a female however.  It will make the intro easier.

She will stick her little arms out and touch the dogs and get to know them.  Correct the dogs if you have to so they know what is acceptable.  Don't let them bark at her.  But let buck do it on his own terms.  If you have a bed for him, put it beside the crate.  He will smell her and she will rub against the crate side to be close to him "if she is not a feral".  I suggest a tame baby for your particular situation.

Do this for a couple weeks, with her living in the crate and coming out for hugs and snuggles and maybe walking on the couch with strict supervision.  Be careful as you do this so she doesn't get away from you and run under the couch or hide in the house.  Keep your hands on her at first.  You will know when it's time for let her out for good.  You might even want to leave her in it at night for a while until you are absolutely certain the dogs are okay.  Buck will be fine.  The dogs are the only thing you will have to worry about.  You cannot let her out for good until you know the animals know she is a part of their household. And even after you let her out, leave the crate and keep the door open.  You will be surprise to find her taking a nap in there.  It is her security place.  Buck will end up going in it as will a dog or two to check things out.

On her outings, show her Bucks bowl and water and maybe put a special treat there for her so she learns a new eating spot.  Buck might hiss a little, but let him handle it.  He will not attack her.  He is just establishing dominance and she will accept it because she is a kitten.  He will teach her and he will end up loving her.

The most important thing is a huge crate.  I have one for a 150 lb dog.  She needs to have room in her temp home to walk around and play.

Buck at 17 yrs old, will be invigorated by her presence.  Seriously.  I know everyone is saying, "enjoy buck while he's here", but Buck would love a little female cat.

I also agree with other that a young shelter cat is best.   There are so many TAME shelter cats that need YOU and need someone to LOVE them.   Shelter animals are so grateful.

jenn