Hi guys, I am in two minds about getting my almost 2 year old cat a friend and would really appreciate any advice.
Theo comes across as being very independent because he is the type of cat that only wants affection on his terms (he is not afraid to let you know he doesn't feel like people touched). He is also an outdoor kitty so he comes and goes as he pleases, but never leaves for long if I am home. As he has grown older he enjoys affection and company more and more, but apart from that he loves being near to people at all times. He will follow me around the house, not really demanding attention but rather just wanting to be near to me or a familiar person. He is also quite an attention seeker, for example he often pretends to be 'stuck' on our roof, making it into a game of catch-me-if-you-can when we respond to his cries for help. Eventually climbing down easily when we ignore him long enough. When I go out he almost always goes looking for our neighbours, paying everyone a visit - I know this because he comes back smelling like people's perfume and everyone knows "the fluffy grey cat"!
I spend a lot of time at home because I study at home, but in the next year or so I will be working and won't be at home as much, so if I do decide to get him a companion now would be the right time because I will be here to settle them both. My hesitation is that Theo has been a very spoilt cat, always having my undivided attention, and I am worried that another cat might make him feel like he now has to share me and his space. When I go home on weekends to visit my mom he comes with and gets on very well with our dogs, even playing rough with our puppy. BUT will he feel the same about a cat? Where I used to live he made friends with a neighbourhood cat, but one day he was attacked by a stray and ever since then he is TERRIFIED of other cats (we have since moved away from his friend). He quite literally hurdles away and back into the house when he sees another cat.
If people could also advise me as to what type (personality) of cat I should be looking at that would maybe suit his personality that would also be very helpful, should I decide to get him a friend! My one condition is it would need to be a kitten. This is because since Theo has been little (I rescued him at 6 weeks) he has travelled with me everywhere. He now has 6 houses that he is able to go to, free to go outside, and I never have to worry about him not coming home (I have been told this is quite unique). He can go to my house, my boyfriend's house, my mom's house, my dad's house and two holiday houses no problem. I would therefore need a kitten because it is harder to help an older cat become familiar and comfortable with travelling than it is a kitten.
Many thanks for any advice, I have attached a picture of my gorgeous boy so you can put a face to a name
I don't know what breed he is.
Theo comes across as being very independent because he is the type of cat that only wants affection on his terms (he is not afraid to let you know he doesn't feel like people touched). He is also an outdoor kitty so he comes and goes as he pleases, but never leaves for long if I am home. As he has grown older he enjoys affection and company more and more, but apart from that he loves being near to people at all times. He will follow me around the house, not really demanding attention but rather just wanting to be near to me or a familiar person. He is also quite an attention seeker, for example he often pretends to be 'stuck' on our roof, making it into a game of catch-me-if-you-can when we respond to his cries for help. Eventually climbing down easily when we ignore him long enough. When I go out he almost always goes looking for our neighbours, paying everyone a visit - I know this because he comes back smelling like people's perfume and everyone knows "the fluffy grey cat"!
I spend a lot of time at home because I study at home, but in the next year or so I will be working and won't be at home as much, so if I do decide to get him a companion now would be the right time because I will be here to settle them both. My hesitation is that Theo has been a very spoilt cat, always having my undivided attention, and I am worried that another cat might make him feel like he now has to share me and his space. When I go home on weekends to visit my mom he comes with and gets on very well with our dogs, even playing rough with our puppy. BUT will he feel the same about a cat? Where I used to live he made friends with a neighbourhood cat, but one day he was attacked by a stray and ever since then he is TERRIFIED of other cats (we have since moved away from his friend). He quite literally hurdles away and back into the house when he sees another cat.
If people could also advise me as to what type (personality) of cat I should be looking at that would maybe suit his personality that would also be very helpful, should I decide to get him a friend! My one condition is it would need to be a kitten. This is because since Theo has been little (I rescued him at 6 weeks) he has travelled with me everywhere. He now has 6 houses that he is able to go to, free to go outside, and I never have to worry about him not coming home (I have been told this is quite unique). He can go to my house, my boyfriend's house, my mom's house, my dad's house and two holiday houses no problem. I would therefore need a kitten because it is harder to help an older cat become familiar and comfortable with travelling than it is a kitten.
Many thanks for any advice, I have attached a picture of my gorgeous boy so you can put a face to a name
I don't know what breed he is.
