So I got my cat Shadow a couple weeks ago am considering getting him a friend. I work long hours, 9-5 at a preschool and then working at a restaurant on top of that a couple nights a week. He is a very active cat and I can tell he's been lonely when I am gone. Would it be good to get another cat to keep him company? Shadow is 1 1/2 years old. What age cat should I get if I should get him a friend at all?
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Getting our cat a friend
- Thread starter sarie1908
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- Apr 12, 2016
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welcome to TCS @Sarie1908, have you ever had shadow around other animals? how does he react? if he is calm and friendly and not to keen about his territory, than yes! getting him another kitty would be great!
before you do this (if at all!) you must consider a few things.
*is he neutered?
*is he indoor, outdoor, or both?
* how big is your house?
*dominance?
cats are creatures who don't socialize with other animals to well. yes, in feral cat colonies, there are many cats who stick together. but these cats don't get along like friends.
cats who you see sleeping together and spending their time together, grooming each other and all sorts of things, are either siblings, together since siblings, or they just like other animals.
I'm certainly not saying you shouldn't get him a playmate, there are just a lot of things to consider!
good luck!
hey shadow!!!
before you do this (if at all!) you must consider a few things.
*is he neutered?
*is he indoor, outdoor, or both?
* how big is your house?
*dominance?
cats are creatures who don't socialize with other animals to well. yes, in feral cat colonies, there are many cats who stick together. but these cats don't get along like friends.
cats who you see sleeping together and spending their time together, grooming each other and all sorts of things, are either siblings, together since siblings, or they just like other animals.
I'm certainly not saying you shouldn't get him a playmate, there are just a lot of things to consider!
good luck!
hey shadow!!!
Great advice there. I would also add that at this age, proper introductions will be needed. We have an article which covers various considerations -
[article="0"]The Second Cat How To Choose The Best Friend For Kitty[/article]
[article="0"]The Second Cat How To Choose The Best Friend For Kitty[/article]
We were in your shoes around this time last year. Had just adopted a two year old cat who was very loving and clingy. Since we were gone sometimes for 10 hours during the day, we knew he needed a companion. We ended up getting a kitten because of his age and energy level. He loves to play so we knew he wouldn't be bothered by a kitten who wanted to play all of the time.
I am definitely an advocate for slow introductions. Don't just throw a kitten (or young cat- if you could find one around six months old that might be a better size match for your cat) in with the other cat and expect them to get along. Follow the steps in this article: [article="32680"]How To Successfully Introduce Cats The Ultimate Guide[/article]
If you have a small apartment or open layout in your home, you can do like I did and use a large dog crate as a place to keep the kitten or cat separated from your resident cat. Remember at introductions take time. Some cats will never reach the point where they are willing to cuddle happily with a new cat.
Here is my picture thread showing how our two cats slowly became friends overtime: [thread="306236"]Gradual Introductions Work[/thread]
I am definitely an advocate for slow introductions. Don't just throw a kitten (or young cat- if you could find one around six months old that might be a better size match for your cat) in with the other cat and expect them to get along. Follow the steps in this article: [article="32680"]How To Successfully Introduce Cats The Ultimate Guide[/article]
If you have a small apartment or open layout in your home, you can do like I did and use a large dog crate as a place to keep the kitten or cat separated from your resident cat. Remember at introductions take time. Some cats will never reach the point where they are willing to cuddle happily with a new cat.
Here is my picture thread showing how our two cats slowly became friends overtime: [thread="306236"]Gradual Introductions Work[/thread]
