Newbie is looking for some help! ))))

Hello everybody!
Yet another newbie here! I always had a passion for the cats, but never had an oppotunity to get one of my own. All of our appartments were not pet-friendley. So, now finally me and my boyfriend moved in into appartment whos landlord allow to have up to three cats! We are so happy and been going to different shelters for the past couple of weeks on our days off trying to see that unique babe waiting just for us to pick him up. We already have everything prepared for a new member of our family- everything but the food!
Now me and my boyfriend have a little bit of disagreement, and I need your help guys finding some more info on this! here is why: yesterday I saw a beautiful cat- Otsi, 3 year-old declawed babe( poor pampkin, can not imaging what he had to go through !!!! ), we just clicked as soon as I laid my eye on him- he start "talking" to me, I picked him up, petted and I knew he's going to love me forever and I am going to do the same for him. He is just adorable BIG boy!!! ( he is really big) First of all my boyfriend said no- I WANT TO HAVE A baby-kitte, so he will only know me, he will only love me and he will not show me his attitude. Trust me, I have read a lot of info on kittens, plus I've been reading your forum for a long time now and I know- even kittens will give you and attitude, and sometimes adopted adult cats will even become a better companion then kittens. The he told me- he is so old, he is not even going to play with me- and I have told him- it is wrong, even if he will be a little bit less troubled-cat- since he is already an adult and not going to "discover discovered" ( like little kittens do) he is still will be very playfull, and just to show him- I am right- I start playing with Otsi and he replied to me in very-very joyful manner!!!! Though it did not satisfied my boyfriend, I told him- there are also catnipped toys around- that will make him play as he is crazy!!!!! NO! was his answer to me- put him back in a cage!!!!! So I did, but could not resist just looking at him and he did the same, and even when I left the room with Otsi I looked at him again trough the window and he remaind very uncalm- trying to get his paws through the cage towards me, looking at me soooooooooooo sad and mewing.......then he laid dawn and put one of his front paw on top of his little cute face..... That just broke my heart!!!!! Now I know I have to come back for him, but my boyfriend just won't give up- I want to have a baby-kitten.
I don't know how to insure him that the older cats DO have feelings for second owners as well?! Any ideas? I also told him that maybe it will be better if we will take two cats together- like a sister and brother- so it will be easier for them to adjust. Maintaining two or one cat doesn't make a big-big difference ( plus we already set aside a saving account for a kitty! ) Also my work schedule is prefferably between 3pm and 11 pm and his like 7 am till 5-6 pm- so I told him our new family member will be bored for a couply of hours- why wouldn't we take him a little one to keep a company ( now- saying a "little one" I only meant like 8-11 month old cat, but my boyfriend thinks 3 weeks- to a couple of months!!!!! ) SAys NO anyways...so I really-really need your help guys on that!!!! Sorry for the long post and I hope to get some answers soon....))) otherwise I will be forced to just go and get my baby Otsi and bring him home- then deal with my BF ( I am also so scared somebody esle will come today, like him and take him away......... ) But don't want us to go that way..... You know what I mean?
Thank you so much in advance!

Firstly, you shouldn't get a kitten under 8-10 weeks. They should not be weaned from their moms until then.

Every cat has a different personality - whether it be older when you get it or a kitten. It sounds like this cat has "chosen" you and that's always a good thing as far as I'm concerned. If it were me, I would go back and get that cat. I agree that if your boyfriend wants a kitten, if you can manage 2 cats, please just let him get a kitten as well.

The cats will have to be introduced gradually probably, but there is a lot of information on this site to help you with that.

My experience has been that cats really do choose who they will be close to and there isn't a whole lot you can do about it.

For instance, Bijou ONLY sleeps with me and ONLY suckles on my neck before bed. But during the day, he is definitely my husband's cat and follows him around.

I hope you get this kitty that has chosen you and I also hope you get a kitten for your boyfriend. There will be training involved with the kitten, like teaching it not to bite (they usually do when they are little as that is how they play) among other things. Having an older cat with the kitten is good too as the older cat will often teach the kitten.

Good luck.

If I've given you any bad advice I hope someone with more knowledge will correct me and give you better advice.

Yosemite, thank you so much for your reply.
Yes, I've heard about cats who just chose their owner, and I am sure Otsi is THAT way and he choose me!
Concern that my boyfriend has is that cat is not going to love us as a little one would, just because we are his "second parents". Off course I gave him my stupid comment that I am not his FIRST girlfriend- does that mean he doesn't love me THAT much ( or even more) as he did his EX???? Lol.....

Welcome to the site!

Linda took the idea out of my head...

If it's possible to have 2 cats, can you compromise and give this sweet guy who OBVIOUSLY chose you as his person a wonderful home as well as a baby-kitten for your BF? That would be reassuring to the kitten to have another feline around, and a kitten would help bring out the playfulness in Otsi.

I Just found the picture of lill Otsi through petfinder site- so here he is- on this picture he also looks a little bit darked then he is in real life! ;-) ( or maybe it is just my monitor here... )

Originally Posted by valanhb

Welcome to the site!

Linda took the idea out of my head...

If it's possible to have 2 cats, can you compromise and give this sweet guy who OBVIOUSLY chose you as his person a wonderful home as well as a baby-kitten for your BF? That would be reassuring to the kitten to have another feline around, and a kitten would help bring out the playfulness in Otsi.

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Thank you so much! That's probably what I will do- but I've read somewhere that if cat and a kitten have a big difference in the age- they will not get along- is it true?

Hi! As an owner of an older adopted cat and a cat that was adopted at 4 weeks old, I can't see a difference in who loves me more. Yes, Mousse knows his name better than 'Nilla, because he has been called Mousse his entire life, whereas 'Nilla was found wandering the streets at over a year old and didn't come with a name.

Animals who have had it rough in life and have been abandoned at shelters, gotten lost and were picked up, etc. are often MORE loving than pets who come to expect that you are supposed to love them. Animals have feelings too and when they are put in a shelter, for whatever reason, their little hearts break. Either they have been abused or neglected previously, or they were abandoned by the only people who ever loved them for what could be as stupid a reason as "they didn't match the new furniture". Either way these guys have TONS of love to give and they really are more appreciative of the love that you give them. They are the true essence of "unconditional love".

Good luck making your decision - and if all else fails - adopt TWO!!!

Originally Posted by ~love_that_cat~

I Just found the picture of lill Otsi through petfinder site- so here he is- on this picture he also looks a little bit darked then he is in real life! ;-) ( or maybe it is just my monitor here... )

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AWWWWWWW!!!!
*heart breaks*

please go get him, he looks so sad - and a pretty boy like that shouldnt be sad!!
My parents adopted a 3yr old cat - he was much more affectionate and loyal than our kitten we got later... Probably because he had it tough earlier in life so he really loved my parents!!

The one they got as a kitten was a spoiled brat

Tell your boyfriend you want a cat each!! He can pick his own kitten.

You just have to go get that gorgeous cat. Take your boyfriend with you and let him pick out a kitten! When a cat chooses you, it would be an absolute CRIME not to take that kitty home IMO.

Oh please go get that beautiful creature or I won't be able to sleep tonight and I'm serious!

Originally Posted by mybunnyslipperz

Hi! As an owner of an older adopted cat and a cat that was adopted at 4 weeks old, I can't see a difference in who loves me more. Yes, Mousse knows his name better than 'Nilla, because he has been called Mousse his entire life, whereas 'Nilla was found wandering the streets at over a year old and didn't come with a name.

Animals who have had it rough in life and have been abandoned at shelters, gotten lost and were picked up, etc. are often MORE loving than pets who come to expect that you are supposed to love them. Animals have feelings too and when they are put in a shelter, for whatever reason, their little hearts break. Either they have been abused or neglected previously, or they were abandoned by the only people who ever loved them for what could be as stupid a reason as "they didn't match the new furniture". Either way these guys have TONS of love to give and they really are more appreciative of the love that you give them. They are the true essence of "unconditional love".

Good luck making your decision - and if all else fails - adopt TWO!!!

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Thank you so much! I am going to print out your post and show it to my BF if you don't mind- maybe it will work for him!

Originally Posted by mybunnyslipperz

Hi! As an owner of an older adopted cat and a cat that was adopted at 4 weeks old, I can't see a difference in who loves me more. Yes, Mousse knows his name better than 'Nilla, because he has been called Mousse his entire life, whereas 'Nilla was found wandering the streets at over a year old and didn't come with a name.

Animals who have had it rough in life and have been abandoned at shelters, gotten lost and were picked up, etc. are often MORE loving than pets who come to expect that you are supposed to love them. Animals have feelings too and when they are put in a shelter, for whatever reason, their little hearts break. Either they have been abused or neglected previously, or they were abandoned by the only people who ever loved them for what could be as stupid a reason as "they didn't match the new furniture". Either way these guys have TONS of love to give and they really are more appreciative of the love that you give them. They are the true essence of "unconditional love".

Good luck making your decision - and if all else fails - adopt TWO!!!

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I do not why- but previously I was trying to quote this post! THIS ONE I WILL PRINT and show it to my bf!

Originally Posted by slitty_kittay

AWWWWWWW!!!!
*heart breaks*

please go get him, he looks so sad - and a pretty boy like that shouldnt be sad!!
My parents adopted a 3yr old cat - he was much more affectionate and loyal than our kitten we got later... Probably because he had it tough earlier in life so he really loved my parents!!

The one they got as a kitten was a spoiled brat

Tell your boyfriend you want a cat each!! He can pick his own kitten.

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I will do my best to talk my boyfriend into getting to cats and also will show him your post!

Originally Posted by Yosemite

You just have to go get that gorgeous cat. Take your boyfriend with you and let him pick out a kitten! When a cat chooses you, it would be an absolute CRIME not to take that kitty home IMO.

Oh please go get that beautiful creature or I won't be able to sleep tonight and I'm serious!

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Please, sleep well tonight- I promise I will do my best to take that cutie home and make him happy!

Cats and kittens of different ages will get along after they get to know each other. You may need watch them together for the first week or two. They both just need to know their limits with each other. I had two older kittens (7 months and 5 months) and brought in 4 little orphan kittens ( 3 weeks and 4 weeks old). My older established cats hissed and swated at the babies for the first few days, then ignored them and then curiosity took over and they started to interact and play together. Now they are best of friends.

I have noticed the same thing with the oldest cat (we adopted him at 6 months old) and my dogs who have been with us for ever. First the hissing and swatting, then ignoring and now the they play and sleep together.

Get the one who has chosen you and tell your boyfriend to chose his baby.

Hi & Welcome to TCS!!!!

Oh my he's such a pretty boy, and if you want him you need to go get him, to many times I have wanted something (not just a kitty) and when I decided I had to have it was long gone. I had 2 older cats then introduced 2 kittens in the house and there fine, it just takes a bit to get used to each other, actually I think the older cats sometimes just ignore them lol, but that doesn't last long. And My Female Basset thinks the cats are hers....GOOOOO get him lol

Originally Posted by SaveTheKitties

Cats and kittens of different ages will get along after they get to know each other. You may need watch them together for the first week or two. They both just need to know their limits with each other. I had two older kittens (7 months and 5 months) and brought in 4 little orphan kittens ( 3 weeks and 4 weeks old). My older established cats hissed and swated at the babies for the first few days, then ignored them and then curiosity took over and they started to interact and play together. Now they are best of friends.

I have noticed the same thing with the oldest cat (we adopted him at 6 months old) and my dogs who have been with us for ever. First the hissing and swatting, then ignoring and now the they play and sleep together.

Get the one who has chosen you and tell your boyfriend to chose his baby.

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I just talked to my BF on the phone and told him that I am gonna go get that baby 2night and he said let me think about it!!!!!! that's something, huh? I told him he is more then welcome to go and pick up his own little baby then, but he told me that might not be neccassery- he kind a liked that cat too but was too jalous the cat was all over ME not him! so we are going back to the shelter!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by CoolCat

Hi & Welcome to TCS!!!!

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THANK YOU!!!

Originally Posted by halfpint

Oh my he's such a pretty boy, and if you want him you need to go get him, to many times I have wanted something (not just a kitty) and when I decided I had to have it was long gone. I had 2 older cats then introduced 2 kittens in the house and there fine, it just takes a bit to get used to each other, actually I think the older cats sometimes just ignore them lol, but that doesn't last long. And My Female Basset thinks the cats are hers....GOOOOO get him lol

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Hello!
Yes, I know you are right and that's what I am afraid of too- I have to work double today and tomorrow ( from 7 am till 11 pm) because my coworker got sick so please guys cross your fingers for me- I hope noone will pick him up before me!!!!! But early on Friday I am gonna bring him to his forever home ( well at least if my bf wont change his mind which I daubt- you guys helped me a lot to talk him into it!!! )
It is just that I remember some posts around here that older and younger cats wont get along- they will not even play together- but back into my childhood I remember my granny had about 6 dogs and 5-11 cats( some of them where neighbours' cats) diff ages but all of them were eating together playing together and sleeping together!

Hi welcome to the site, Otsi is gorgeous.