what cat to get

We currently have 2 cats right now and are looking to add a 3rd. Main reason we want another is for our younger cat, Elsa, to have one to play with. The older cat, Sven, is a lot more laid back and doesnt want to play all that much. So Elsa gets on his nerves quite a bit when all she wants is to play. Elsa is a 10 month old female, and Sven is a 6 year old male. We were thinking of a cat around 6 months old, but not sure whether a male or female would be be better with our current status

I think temperament, energy level and play drive are more important than sex. I'd suggest getting a cat a little older - maybe the same age as Elsa, though again, the other factors I mentioned are more important. It would be easier all round if the cat was already spayed/neutered though - one less thing to worry about during the introduction process. Any good shelter will be interested in finding you the best match possible, so take their advice on the matter. One tip I've picked up from other members is to do a scent swap test with your two and the prospective newbie - if all reactions are positive its a good indication that the candidate could be a good fit.

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Thanks for your response. That was exactly what we went off was the temperment. We ended up going with a 4 month old female. She was super sweet but also had a playful side, so we thought she would be a great fit. Weve had her for 2 days and shes put up in her own room. Her and Elsa have been sniffing and pawing at each other under the door, so i think they will play well together in time. We did do a face to face after seeing that, and Elsa just wants to play but is way to aggressive so the new one is a little scared of her. So we are gonna wait a little while longer

I'm so happy you've found your new addition. I'm sure she'll fit right in. Remember to take your time with the introductions. Patience really is key. Let the cats dictate the pace.
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Yeah were off to a rough start. We put the new kitten up in our kids bedroom, and the younger cat sits outside most of the day meowing or sticking her paws under the door. Now the kitten is really jumpy, but she will play back with her under the door. I opened the door an inch to see what they would do and they do the same, no hissing, just playing. So i thought id go ahead and see how they do face to face. Our younger cat is way to aggressive, she runs and jumps on her and just attacls her, but in reality i can tell all she is trying to do is play. In the process tho she is scarring the new one completely. She doesnt know all she is trying to do it play so she defends herself a little then runs away. This has happened about 2 days now.

So it looks like this is going to take alot longer than i thought. Do yall have any recommendations or does this sound pretty normal? I just with our cat wouldnt play so rough, theyd be friends by now

Read the links I posted above. Introductions are best done very gradually - face to face meetings need to wait for now. The whole process takes weeks or months. Rushing things can really backfire. Focus on scent swapping for now. The rest will come in time.

When you start bringing them together, I'd suggest that you have a big play session with Elsa just before - this will drain her energy and hopefully make her less excitable and scary to your little one.
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Thats a good idea, ill have to try that next time. Thank you! When we brought Elsa home it only took us a few days before she was running around

Heres a pic of the new kitten, Anna (can you tell Frozen is the theme we went with). She loves us, but is super scared of the new place. The slightest sound freaks her out. So i think we will work on getting her accustomed to the new place first, then do introductions later. We may also start the introduction process with her and Sven first, which we thought was going to be the problem cat. He didnt do so well when we adopted Elsa. He was hissing and swatting and completely avoiding her. But funny enough he doesnt seem to care and actually seems really curious, he hasnt hissed once. We just havent put those two together yet

She's really pretty, and Anna is a lovely name. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I can't stress enough how important it is to take your time with introductions. It sounds like you were very lucky with Ella and Sven - don't just assume the process will be as quick or smooth this time around. Stick with scent swapping for now, then move to the joint feeding phase, and only when that is all perfectly relaxed should you think about face to face meetings.

i have 2 cats that are 4.5 months and a male that is 8.5 months. they all play attack and tumble around. just let them play and get used to each other. your 4 month old is sturdier than you think. if she really starts howling you can step in but i would just supervise for now and they will be buddies in no time..

We finally had success! Anna kept meowing and wanting to come out, so we let her and Elsa take turns in a crate, then we fed them on opposite sides of a gate, then face to face. They are now best buds. Anna follows her everywhere and keeps picking play fights. Sven surprisingly enough didnt care at all, he excepted her with no issues. Ive caught Anna sharing a food bowl with him several times and hes fine with it.

Sven has actually been much happier since we brought her home. Elsa isnt constantly trying to play with him anymore now that she has a playmate. so hes had a break and can finally do what he loves best, be lazy lol. Yeah ever since we got Elsa, Sven has been a different cat. He stopped coming up to cuddle with me, but last night he actually came up and curled up by my side and purred for a good while, which is another thing he hasnt done since we got Elsa.


Heres all 3 on their new tower. Ignore the mess in the back, we still have unpacking to do

What a happy looking fur family I love happy endings! You really have been lucky that Elsa and Sven have accepted Anna so quickly. Its great to see the three of them so comfortable with each other.

tewing84 said:

Heres all 3 on their new tower. Ignore the mess in the back, we still have unpacking to do

Click to expand...

love the cat tree! where did you get it?

Kittymansions.com. It was only $120, but i found a coupon online to go with it which anyone can google and use. The cats love it, Elsa likes to touch the ceiling. it was easy to put together.

We did get really lucky. After the first few meetings i thought it was gonna take weeks from the looks of things. I think all Anna had to learn was Elsa was just playing, and luckily that didnt take long at all. I just cant believe how accepting Sven and Elsa were, especially Sven. But he loves her, and every time she comes up to him he starts cleaning her

Here's another pic of Anna and Elsa. I think Elsa caught a cold from Anna that she brought home from the shelter, so she hasnt felt well. But Anna has been staying close

Oh Now THAT'S an integrated fur family - Anna and Elsa are definitely best buds now :nod: