Afraid to get my cat a companion

jkuras

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Hi everyone.  I adopted a rescue cat named Sushi.  He was found wondering the streets, thin and not very active.

After living with me for 4 months, he as doubled his size and is now very feisty.  He wants to play all the time.  When I stop, he cries and walks around where I am and whines until I play with him again. He came into the bathroom when I was taking a shower and started howling until I played with him again.

When he is at the vet, he growls and hisses at the other cats.  He gets so upset even the vet, where I adopted him from, said she feels another cat might not work out as he appears to be a one family cat.

I am just upset that he is not happy.  He enjoys his food, he sleeps everywhere in my house and with me at night.  He purrs and loves my attention, which I give him all the time.  I work at night 4 nights a week, so I would have to lock up the other cat in my spare room with his own litter box, and food.  I just don't know what I would be coming home to eventually.  I am not due to stop working in the office for at least 2 years, or I would try it, being home to supervise.

I feel I am denying him a full and happy life but afraid if issues arise and there is a cat fight or worse.  He is not feral and not a hunter.

Really feel torn.  

Joyce
 

LTS3

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When he is at the vet, he growls and hisses at the other cats.  He gets so upset even the vet, where I adopted him from, said she feels another cat might not work out as he appears to be a one family cat.
No cat likes being at the vet's office with all the strange smells and noises and other cats and pets and people. So don't assume your cat wouldn't like a friend at home


A new cat should be confined to one room of your home for at least a couple of days to settle and and for the resident cat to get used to the new cat's smell. Any introductions between the two cats should be done when you are at home to supervise. So it's fine to keep a second cat in the spare room when you go to work. There are articles here on TCS on how to introduce a second cat to a resident cat. The process may take a few days or several weeks or longer, depending on the cats' personalities.
 

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Hi everyone.  I adopted a rescue cat named Sushi.  He was found wondering the streets, thin and not very active.

After living with me for 4 months, he as doubled his size and is now very feisty.  He wants to play all the time.  When I stop, he cries and walks around where I am and whines until I play with him again. He came into the bathroom when I was taking a shower and started howling until I played with him again.

When he is at the vet, he growls and hisses at the other cats.  He gets so upset even the vet, where I adopted him from, said she feels another cat might not work out as he appears to be a one family cat.

I am just upset that he is not happy.  He enjoys his food, he sleeps everywhere in my house and with me at night.  He purrs and loves my attention, which I give him all the time.  I work at night 4 nights a week, so I would have to lock up the other cat in my spare room with his own litter box, and food.  I just don't know what I would be coming home to eventually.  I am not due to stop working in the office for at least 2 years, or I would try it, being home to supervise.

I feel I am denying him a full and happy life but afraid if issues arise and there is a cat fight or worse.  He is not feral and not a hunter.

Really feel torn.  

Joyce
I agree with LTS3.  A lot of cats are scared when they are at the vets because of all the smells and noises.  Your baby is smelling multiple cats, dogs and other animals during the vet visit.  The hissing and growling at other cats at the vets could be due to him being scared of being there.  It is possible that at home the results would be different.  I would not rule out getting Sushi a friend based on his behavior during vet visits.  Perhaps you could look into doing a foster to adopt with a rescue in your area.  This would give you a chance to see how Sushi would handle a new friend. Yes you would have to confine the new cat to their own space at first when you are not home to supervise.  If you do decide to get Sushi a friend there are many people here that could provide you with help on how to do proper introductions.
 
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jkuras

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Thank you.  I told my vet and a rescue person who found my Sushi. They have a gorgeous black kitten 5 months old, but that is too young as I work and I will not always be home.

I told them to find a cat that is older and calm.  I have two problems.  Not just Sushi liking the other cat, but I need a cat that is non destructive like Sushi.  He doesn't chew wires, rip things, almost the perfect cat.  I need another cat like that - that is also loving and wants my affections as well.

I don't know whether to get a boy or girl.  Sushi is a boy around 1 years old.

Joyce
 
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jkuras

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I am also speaking to a breeder who breeds Rag Doll Cats.  She said their personality is very calm and playful but they are not aggressive cats.  I know her personally and I am thinking about this now.  

Joyce
 

bottlebabymom

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What I do is get involved with a no-kill animal shelter animal rescue in my area and I offer to Foster different cats that I am interested in with the understanding that the cat will be in a very large like bigger than 36 inch or 44 inch wire cage so that the cat can see everyone and everyone can see the cat in the most used room and I get it absolutely as young as possible if that means I have to bottle feed for a week then that's what that means but then my cat and my dog get used to it and it gets used to my cat and my dog and I tend to see more hissing cat behavior when I am in the room then when I am not in the room because it's a territorial thing this is my mom not yours but what happens is after a couple of weeks or less while I am there supervising I let the baby out on a leash and I keep the cage that it looks in open not all the way because my cat is toilet trained and there's a litter box in the wire cage so my cat can't get in the litter box but the little cat can get in and out and interact with my cat and my dog at its Comfort level and we just try it and see if it works and if it works great and if it doesn't work then it's another cat that they can have and if they can get a house for because you've taken it in and fostered it for some time to give them time to find homes for somebody else and then you get the option of seeing if your cat will work because my cat hisses at every cat and it's not abnormal for that to happen but there's a difference between hissing at you and saying what are you doing here why are you trying to join my family and you look tasty I'm going to go after you and see if you taste good or not so I would do something like that where you are not committing they keeping the cat for any length of time and where you're keeping it where the other cat can look at it and see how it goes and you play with them both together separately but together I suggest leashes and harnesses for both during playtime just in case and then I would just see how it goes at all obviously be about it first and you don't want your cat that you have now to see you holding that cat more than you hold your cat or playing with your cat more than you hold that cat what you might have to do or get some automatic toys if another cat doesn't work like if your cat likes the laser that goes or I love toys by a company called cat-it, you also need to play with the cat in a way that gets it really hyper jumping high running for those kinds of things until it's tongue is hanging out maybe even with the leash and a harness try taking the cat for a walk outside personally I don't recommend indoor outdoor cats they can get more diseases hit by cars picked up by trap neuter and release programs and get their ear cut off and various things like that but having the cat on the leash on a harness is a good way to get out a lot of their energy and curiosity and but if trying a couple Foster cats does not work then you might have to go to some automatic toys and more time for me if one Foster cat does not work the second time I would try siblings so that they have more Mojo I guess! Make sure your new babies aren't on the floor and the kids though if you can put them up higher because the higher you are in the cat world the higher you are ranked in the cat group or family so if you can put it up on a table but where your cat can still look from the couch or whatever that's the best way I've seen to go but the only way to know if a cat or a dog is going to work is to actually Foster it and try you just can't tell from a five minute half hour meet and greet there's just not enough information because sometimes they're mad at that cat out first or the act that at that cat at first because they're overly excited to play or because they are just confused I don't know why it's in their house or they don't know why it's there in the first place so that's what I would try since my username on here is something about bottle baby my cat was actually raised by me from a day old with a bottle and so he has behaviors where he talks like a dog thinks he's a person but somehow knows he's a cat a little bit probably from all of the fostering that I've done so in order to get him a friend which I really want to do since two of his dogs have died but they taught him how to speak dog so wagging your tail as a dog mean something completely different than wagging your tail as a cat so I need to get a cat that is young enough to learn how to use the people party because I'm not scooping the litter box for the rest of my life for one cat when I spent three months getting this cat trained to use the people party and I am also not going to have my cat get attacked because his tail wagging at the front door and his hissing which I think he thinks he's barking at like the mailman gets him a fight because that's what it means in cat means aggression not I'm interested in you or the tail wagging meaning just I'm excited I'm happy and content so since a lot of those things are opposite I have to go with a real baby like I would prefer a nice cuz baby that I bought a raise and he helps with that and we go from there and see if we can get him a friend but with a lot of cats raised outside of the normal here's the cat let's raise it up let's get it right let's put it in the home or cats with different behavior problems or what not need to have a foster-to-adopt in order to even consider having an additional pet but I think that's how everybody should try to get a pet not just let's go to the pet store and spend whatever thousand dollars and get a For Colored cat because it's cute it's got to fit into the family and that can take some work I apologize since my talk-to-text is obviously not allowing me to punctuated correctly and putting in some wrong words I hope it is not confusing make sure your new babies are in done the floor and the cage though if you can put them up higher because the higher you are in the cat world the higher you are ranked in the cat group or family so if you can put it up on a table but we're you're cat can still look from the couch or whatever that's in the best way I've seen to go but the only way to know if a cat or a dog is going to work is to actually foster it and try you just can't tell from five minute half hour meeting greet there's just not enough information there because sometimes there mad at that cat at first or the act that at that cat at first because they're over early excited to play or because they are just confuse the don't know why it in there house or they don't know why it there in the first place so that's what I would try sense my username on here is something about bottle baby my cat was actually raised by me from the day old with so bottle and so he has behaviors where he talks like a dog thinks he's a person but somehow knows he's a cat a little bit probably from all of the fostering that I've done so in order to get him a friend which I really want to do since to of his dogs have died but they taught him how to speak dog so wagon your tail as a doll mean something completely different then wagon your tail Isaac at so I need to get a cat that is young enough to learn how to use the people potty because I'm not scooping the litter box for the rest of my life for one get one I spent three months getting this cat trained to use the people potting and I am also not going to have my cat get attacked because his tell wagging at the front door and his hissing which I think he thinks is barking at like the mailman gets him a fight because that's what it means in cat it means im happy - not I'm interested in you or the tail wagging meaning just I'm excited I'm happy I'm content so since a lot of those things are opposite I have to go with my baby like I would prefer a eyes closed bottle baby that I bottle raised from day 1 and he helps with that and we go from there and see if we can get him a friend but with a lot of cats raised outside of the normal ways the cat or it let's get it right let's put it in a home later or cats with different behavior problems or what not - need to have a foster to adopt in order to even consider having an additional pet but I think that's how everybody should try to get up at not just lets go to the pet store in spend whatever $1,000 and get a 4 colored cat because it's cute with into the family and that can take some work and sense my talk to text is obviously not allowing me to punctuate correctly and putting in some wrong words I hope it is not confusing!
 
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jkuras

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Hi:  I have a full time job.  I don't have time to take in foster cats.  I work at night and I am home in the daytime.  I am 66 years old, and don't need all this stress.

Thank you for your perspective.  I need a one cat try from someone who knows the personality involved.

I don't have time for all that you mentioned.. 

Joyce
 

LTS3

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Definitely avoid a kitten if you don't have the time and / or patience for constant play and mischief and teaching a kitten what is and is not allowed (no scratching on furniture, no jumping on counters, etc). Look for a adult cat. A cat around the same age as Sushi would be ideal but an older cat may also work out well.
 
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jkuras

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Thank you.  Sushi is around 1 years old they think, as he was rescued, they really don't know for sure, but he plays like a kitten that does not know boundaries.  I do not want to take away his spunk.  I know he needs to race around and get all his excitement out with another cat and leave the loving and tenderness to me when I am home.

I think a cat 2 years old would be great.  Not too old and still young.  I am thinking about a Rag Doll from a breeder I know as she raises a great many of them, and everyone who has bought them has been really happy.  Some have come back for another one.  They are not aggressive cats.  And, of course, they are gorgeous.

I hope I can find a cat that we both love.

Joyce
 
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LTS3

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Many people here feel strongly about adopting from a rescue or shelter than buying a purebred from a breeder but since you live in Israel where things are probably not quite the same as in the US, a purebred cat is fine if you're unable to find a rescue cat. Make sure the breeder is legit and ask for references so you can contact previous buyers and ask about their experience with the breeder and if they were sold a healthy cat. You want to avoid "backyard breeders" who just breed cats to make a profit and don't care about the cats' health or genetics or even providing proper care. http://tica.org/pdf/publications/brochures/breeder.pdf

Are there cat associations in Israel? In the US, many breeders are registered with at least one of the big associations (CFA, TICA, etc) and that's one way to check if a breeder is legit and if there have been any complaints.
 
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jkuras

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HI, yes, there are rescues here as well as the US, but not as many and the cities can be hours away and I do not have a car.

The breeder was a friend of my friend that moved back to the US.  I met her several times and almost bought a rag doll but wanted to wait.  Then I found Sushi.  She worked with rescues and said did the right thing.  She has won many prizes for her cats and is very particular about who buys them.  She follows up and sees the home first and them makes more visits to make sure the cat is happy and well taken care of.

The reason I am leaning towards this is because a rescue cat is a chance you take.  But she is breeding her cats for over 10 years and the character and disposition is already known.  They are a special breed and known for their gentle dispositions.  Normally Rag Dolls are recommended for families with children and other pets. That is how loving and easy going they are.  I was very lucky with Sushi, but then he was coming to a home without kids or other animals.  He is king of the castle.

The only problem is the food as Sushi has underdeveloped kidneys so he must eat pates that have at least 78-80% water, including his renal formula.  A normal cat has to eat differently, and the breeder is so particular about their diets for their health and fur.

Anyway we will discuss it in the next few months.  I don't want a kitten, do  not have time for one.  I need a cat that is well behaved and gentle.  I am so nervous about all this.  I would have never considered this but I want Sushi to be happy and fulfilled.  I give him so  much love and attention.  But it is not enough, as he needs a playmate.

Will keep you posted.

Joyce
 

bottlebabymom

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Since your cirrent cays not know to "speak cat" only and correctly and one could get or be hurt that will cause you additional stress since fostering is not in the cards for you I would go with something more like automatic Toys & More toys to get the heart rate up and you become the playmate for an hour a day in some kind of combination in between automatic toys, hunting toys, and those type of things rather than bringing in a cat because there is good reason to be fearful especially when you don't know your cat's complete background as it was a street cat in the beginning. The language skills between Strays ferals mixed stray feral cats and cats that were also raised with dogs are far too different to just count on it being okay in my opinion. When I have set up fostering situations it has always been bringing a cat back ASAP if needed so I would take A3 Day weekend and spend time the first day with the cat that is new in a cage where the existing cat can see it and he said it because that's perfectly normal it's their way of saying High regardless how they were raised and then I would start taking them out Day 2 or morning too and see how it goes maybe it goes great maybe it doesn't and the cat goes immediately back and it doesn't affect your life for but a day and a half but if they do goes good then the three they can spend more time out together and see then is there language can be understood and that the new cat doesn't want to taste the older cat or the older cat doesn't want to take the new work yet and typically you can have an idea over a three-day weekend and typically you can change their initial instinct over longer time than that but as is everything it's completely your decision but with their language skills being so different based on that first little bit of their life I would definitely recommend a foster-to-adopt pipe situation even if it's based on a short weekend visit. Like with my cat I can hold him upside down backwards any kind of way that a small child would hold a small cat and his temperament is known to be basically like a stuffed animal he wouldn't react it regardless but the minute you put them in a new place with new cats he's going to talk to them he's going to hit them and it's going to be normal cat behavior that comes down very quickly but it's the change that causes the issue and then the language skills between the cat's further makes the issue way worse or better quickly and that cannot be known on your side even if it is known on the other side because of where your cat came from I hope it all works out how you think have a great day!
 
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jkuras

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Thank you for the article.  I will read it.

My problem also is that he is on renal and fancy feast.  The renal is to help his kidneys not work so hard.  He does not have kidney failure but his kidneys are not big enough for his body weight, and my vet feels that eventually he will go into kidney failure.  So, I am doing some preventive tactics to treat them with care.

If I have another cat, they might eat up his renal.  Too many things to consider.  I will keep reading and thinking

Joyce
 

Columbine

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For what it's worth, I have two cats, and I feed them separately with no problems - Shadow eats downstairs and Asha eats upstairs. It works really well for us :D

Sure, it's a little more work, but it keeps everyone healthy and happy, and that's what counts ;)
 

bottlebabymom

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Now the feeding thing is pretty easy to fix! They offer these bowls that with what is basically a key that goes on the cat's Breakaway collar that it only opens the lid when the cat with the correct key comes to eat! so that part is pretty easy there are at least 4 different kinds where I live between thirty and fifty bucks or so, and since it's a preventative thing and the cat eats two kinds of food maybe you would choose to get one for each cat maybe you would choose to get one just for the prescription food that's more expensive obviously its completely up to you...

Another thing I would recommend is with a cat that you're expecting to have kidney problems is to get one or more of the fountains or the water circulators that keeps the water moving and filtered so its more fresh and it encourages the cat to drink a lot more than it would if it was just sitting in a bowl. That helps the kidneys and encouraging cats to drink more can be another preventative or early helping measure that can go a long way to helping later...
There are some DIY ways you can make it was a small out of the tank fish tank filter and a container (you can look online on how to do but because it's a bowl of water next to something that plugs in for me personally I would rather invest the money even though it is more expensive and the DIY solution is easy). I wouldn't want my cat my dog or my father to dump the bowl and then have a problem with water and electricity.
 

pit of pets

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I agree with above posters. A vet trip is never fun to any cat, or pet for that matter. It's very overwhelming with all the different smells and sudden noises. It's got to be distressing to suddenly be out of one's environment and to have all these cat and pet scents all of a sudden. A companion for your cat would be a great option, however it would take some patience and a lot of time for him to get used to the new cat. So, you'd have to keep them isolated for a while and slowly introduce them to each other. Hissing and growling are to be expected and are completely normal. Just give it time and they'll be playing together and enjoying each other's company! 
 
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