Adding a second cat?

lillypie

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We have had Lilly for about 6 months now, she is still very much a kitten (7 months old) and is full of energy. She gets so bored and destructive, often using my hands and arms as chew toys. I have read about all the benefits that adding a second kitten could do for Lilly and we are highly considering it, we have even sent an adoption application into our local shelter. What are your thoughts on this? Pros? Cons? Thanks!
 

ollieoxenfree

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Hi! I have not had young cats around in many years but I do know the benefits of keeping two. My male was about 4 years old when we got him and he was hyperactive, bored easily, chewed hands and feet and the like; then we rescued a female cat (who was just under a year old probably) and after the initial week and half separated we introduced them. It was a hit, they were tumbling and wrestling and playing within the week. They are still best friends. 

That said, we were lucky that we had such an easy introduction. We found Sansa on the street in the cold so we brought her home not intending on keeping her. In the week she was locked in our bathroom she went into what we think was her first heat. Since Oliver was neutered we thought it would be a good time to introduce her because of her hormones. It worked and she was spayed about 2 weeks later. 

If you're thinking about adopting another cat I would go with opposite sex. Contact the shelters and see if they have any advice for you like a trial adoption to see if it gets along with Lilly. Oftentimes people choose a second cat without considering their resident cat and then expect them to get along. Cats, like many other animals, like to choose their buddies which is why "speed dating" and trial adoptions are so popular. It might not work out that the amazing, cute cat you love at the shelter will never get along with your Lilly. That happened when I moved in with MIL for 7 months: Sansa had to be permanently separated from MIL's cat and positive experiences were just never going to happen. 

Another thing which might work is to consider adopting an adult male cat for Lilly's companion. Adults are settled in temperament and pair easily with younger cats. Again, this is all anecdotal advice from me! I think having a pair of cats is better for them (if they get along) because they communicate and groom and play in ways we can't. 

Best of luck. 
 

mrsgreenjeens

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We adopted out two boys together and are very glad we did.  They do keep each other company so I don't feel quite so guilty on those days when we're gone longer than usual. 

I don't have any experience in bringing in other cats when there is already a 6 month old kitten in the household, but you  might talk to the adoption agency about it.  I bet they have TONS of experience with that sort of thing.
 

LTS3

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Leroy was 6 months old when I adopted a second cat. He was just too super active and trouble causing. It took a few weeks to find the right cat. I adopted a female similar aged cat. There was some hissing from the new cat in the beginning but both cats got along really quickly. Leroy was much happier with a friend to play with.
 

molly22

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I say go for it! Our girl Juniper is almost 2 and we just adopted a 3 months old male in May. They do hot laps around the house and she is much more active now. It took a few days for intros and there was some hissing but now they are best buds.
 
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lillypie

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is there a rule of thumb for for what gender kitten would be best for Lilly? Is there ant reason a male or female could be better? Thanks!
 

molly22

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For years I think the rule of thumb was to get the opposite sex but I'm sure many people on here will tell you that the same sex will get along fine. I'm more prone to having opposites and it's always worked well. Your Lilly is so young that it should be fairly easy to bring in either sex.
 

catlover73

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I have 4 cats in my household. My oldest cat is a female and I adopted her when she was six weeks old. Before Starbuck came into our lives another female cat I had adopted many years ago passed away. I really believe that Baby-T sent Starbuck to us.  I had two senior males when I adopted her and she bonded with them quickly. One of my boys took over the mom role and taught her kitty manners. Later on when my boys passed away I opened my home to three other male cats over a period of time. Claude passed away first and I was worried Tegato was lonely while we were at work so I adopted Sonny to keep him company.  Even though Sonny was a big kitten at the time he treated Tegato as the Alpha.  I have always believed that giving a home to another baby is a way to honor the life and memory of those that have crossed the rainbow bridge.  The cat I adopted was Sonny he was an older kitten but he was a big cat.  The introductions between him and Starbuck took some time because she was scared of his size.  He wanted to play and she did not.  I adopted another older kitten male named Apollo as a playmate for Sonny.  They bonded immediately and played together a lot. This got Sonny to stop bugging Starbuck.  She will actually play with Sonny once in a while as long as starts play time. Apollo and Sonny still play together.  A little over two years ago a 7 week old kitten adopted my hubby when we went to buy cat food.  Casey was tiny when we adopted him and Starbuck is actually the most bonded to him out of the cats I have. Starbuck seems to generally just tolerate the other cats and they do not bother her.  No one chases her or annoys her either. The other 3 hang out and play with each other.  Starbuck can be a part of the group if she chooses to. My oldest cat is nine years old and my youngest it two years old.

I really don't think gender matters as much as personality. Sonny was used to being around multiple cats and acted like a daddy to Casey and Apollo when they were young. Starbuck prefers to spend time with us instead of the other cats.  Tegato was a surrogate mommy to Starbuck when she was a baby.   They all sleep on the bed together during the night in their own spots with no issues.  If you are worried about how your kitten will adjust perhaps you could contact some rescues and look into a potential foster to adopt situation.
 
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howmany

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I have had many cats I feel that male cat except new cat easier and female cat except male newcomers better to. The exception being litter mates and moms.
 
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