Small declawed kitty with big clawed cat? Bad Idea?

I have a small, declawed munchkin cat (she was declawed when adopted). Recently, a cat has popped up in a shelter near me (a Japanese Bobtail). Who from his description, is an extremely loving, social kitty. I was immediately intrigued because I have always loved Japanese Bobtails, but could never bring myself to buy (no judgment, just a personal choice). The same was the case with my kitty, who is a Napoleon/Minuet munchkin, so I jumped on adoption with her.

I would like to adopt him, but he looks like a big boy (granted, some of that has to do with being overweight). Tempura (my cat) is only about 7 lbs, a munchkin, and declawed. I would obviously introduce them slowly, but part of me feels like trying to put together two adult cats with such big differences is a bad idea. Tempura is very sweet, but clearly shows a lot of apprehension+ defensiveness around other cats (they are always bigger than her, and I'm assuming she knows she doesn't have her claws so is even more defensive). I don't want to ruin her happiness as the only cat in my home.

Here he is btw:


Maki is a Japanese Bobtail cat who is amazing! When you walk up to Maki, he gives you a sweet, meow to say hello and he comes right over to you and rubs on your ankle. This cat is super social and just wants to be with people. He is tolerant and really a lovely cat. Maki will follow you around asking for attention. When you leave home he is happy to snuggle up in a big soft kitty bed.

Update!: Maki is still at the shelter, waiting to be rescued. He is one of the most lovely cats we have seen and Make is one that we will never forget. He just purrs and purrs as you pet him.  He meows to us when we talk to him and he will snuggle on our laps for hours.  He will make you smile every day and will be your loyal friend. He especially likes to sit in the sunny window. All of us find him irresistible and if we only had room for one more, Maki would be the one. Please spread the word about this lovely kitty. He deserves humans of his own and a loving home.

Do any of you have similar experiences/thoughts? Thanks! Obviously I'm jumping the gun a little bit, because I've yet to go to the shelter and meet him. But I am trying to figure out if I should just bury the idea before I get too mentally attached, lol.

I assume your description is from the shelter as you say you haven't met him yet. I think he would probably get along fine with your resident cat if you do the introduction. I introduced a rather shy but loving kitty to my resident cat, and they get along fine now. They are good companions and play a lot together. I don't think the absence of claws will make any difference.

I have had declawed and clawed cats at the same time before and my mother does now.  It hasn't been an issue in my experience.  I would say be sure to introduce them properly; even if it takes some time.  It might help to talk to the shelter about how he does with other cats there. 

I have clawed and de-clawed cats together, so does my mom. No problems with that. Cats don't really fight each other with their front claws anyway---those are for slashing dogs and climbing trees . Personality is more important. If he's gentle and laid back I think she'd get used to him eventually.

I would run, don't walk, to adopt him!  Follow the "experts'" guide to introductions, which you are already aware of.  He looks like a sweet and mellow cat.

We adopted a declawed Maine Coon man into our family several years ago.  He was 14, neutered, and had been an "only cat".  He came into his own room with all conveniences, a scratcher, lots of toys, windows on the patio...it was pretty nice.  Slowly, we did the introduction into what would become his multi-cat family.  He was very territorial with one of our guys who I guess was the alpha male, but I was determined, because adoption is for LIFE.  We kept working at it and ultimately achieved success.  He had 7 wonderful years with us, which I wouldn't trade for anything.  

If you have the room in your heart and home, don't hesitate! 

My sister had her cat declawed, and while he wasn't a munchkin, he did develop highly calloused pawpads. He was an indoor cat because of that lack of front claws, and he adapted by using his teeth more. I'm sure that even if your new cat has claws, your current little one will most likely be fine. -^_^- Though, honestly, that's the only experience I've had with a cat without claws. And it was only his front.

Thank you everybody for your advice! Maki has an application now, but I will definitely keep this in mind. Looking into maybe adopting another kitty soon, hehe. Glad he is going to find a home, thanks again!

Update: Maki's application fell through so I submitted mine after visiting him. He was a big sweetheart (got my makeup all over him when he rubbed up against my face) and was very sweet to the kittens when they brought him into the room as well. Will post pics if it all works out. Thanks again!

HOPING IT ALL WORKS OUT FOR YOU AND MAKI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It would be super cool if he comes home and it all works out.
A family member left  a cat with us that was declawed on ALL FOURS and pretty docile. We have another cat that is front declawed that was actually an outdoor little girl of 9 lbs. 
Stewart moved in after these girls. He is the most rambunctious jack hole cat we've ever had. He was still intact at almost a year, a little feral, and a great imagination. We decided it was dangerous for Angel *all 4* as she kept getting clawed and scratched all the time because this booger boy wanted to play with her. We had her move in with boyfriend's ex. My other little tiny cat is fine. She hates him. She hates him so hard he doesn't try to play with her(though sometimes he touches her just to hear her scream and does nothing else). None of my other cats have issues with her or each other and she's fine. It's just going to depend on the cats, and I've had a mixed home for about 8 years with different cats coming and going and everything was fine.
It was just not good for Angel up against our hormonal enthusiastic hell beast. 

He's 5 now and he's great. We ended up keeping him after his much needed neuter because he has asthma and needs the medical care.

Ok to ask for an update on Maki? 

ps floofnugget is the best name ever!

I agree - go get him!!!  I think cats are usually happier when they have a buddy.  Plus, it's always nice to have someone to help you clean your ears.

Maki came home with me on Saturday! They let me take him home a little earlier since the winter storm was rolling into the area. He's extremely sweet, immediately loving and wants to cuddle. Have taken the intro relatively slow, but Maki has no anxiety about eating his food near the door, and Tempura is not very food motivated. So I escalated a little faster to having them see each other and eat. Right now he's still in my bedroom, but I'll let him out for supervised interactions. They're actually getting pretty close now (on Tempura's terms). He hasn't hissed at her once, just clearly wants to get closer. But he respects when Tempura starts grumbling. They've started playing a little bit from afar, and the picture of them fairly close together is when I grabbed the treats and Tempura just came right on up. 

Maki himself is a sweetie, but is meowing a lot, especially in the middle of the night. Have the vet visit Friday to see if there's anything else going on, and I do know he has to get some pretty serious dental work done. Otherwise, he might just be missing outside since he was a stray. 

Congratulations! Everything is working out well. They are going to do fine together!

Yay I'm so glad you got him !!! Congratulations! The fact that the other application fell through must mean that he was meant for you! It sounds like everything is going well. Enjoy your upgraded fur family!

@floofnugget I am so happy for you!!!! Congrats!!!!!