choosing a second cat

I adopted my kitty Joshua 3 months ago. And he is just the sweetest cat ever. (likes to snuggle with me, often sleeps right on top of me, likes to play fetch...)

However, he is a very needy cat and always wants attention or wants to play (especially at night). Since he is all alone whenever I'm not home, I think it would be a good idea for him to have a feline companion.

Before Joshua ended up at the shelter, he was living with approximately 6 other unneutered male cats. That means that he is used to other cats. I also introduced him to some friends cats and he was fine.

I will probably go to the shelter next weekend to find him a friend. I haven't contacted the shelter yet, but I am hoping they will let me take him with me.

Does anyone have any tips on choosing a second cat? (with or without the first cat being present)

Also, I don't want to sound selfish... but do cats become less affectionate towards people once they have a feline companion?

I think a companion cat is a good idea. And while I have had a second dog cause the first to be less affectionate with the people, I don't think that happens with cats.

Don't get me wrong, Gar and Fest just adore each other. But they also spend a lot of time with the people. I think your chances of a well adjusted cat are better if Joshua is not alone too much. A friend is a GREAT idea!

I don't know how to choose the second one, but I'm sure someone here will have some good tips!

My cat elliot has always been a "If I want something ill come to you for it" kind of cat which isnt a problem. However he had a lot of pent up energy with no one to play with (and I couldnt spend every second playing with him though I did play alot) He would take to running through the house for no reason and jumping up the walls... so when my mom's friends cat had kittens, I knew I had to take one. Your cat sounds very sociable and like he would be good with any cat, but my cat elliot is kind of territorial to other males, we had to choose a female kitten for this reason, and thats how I have aerowyn ^_^ These days instead of jumping up the walls he and aerowyn jump on each other and play. But neither of them spend less time with me. In fact whatever room I am in there is usually a cat or two nearby. I can always look around the room and find someone sleeping nearby ^_^ In advice for getting another cat, you will probably fall in love with the first one you see, but please make sure to do a thurough check on all kitties. Trust me if I walked into a shelter I would want to take every single one home with me, but it just owuldnt be doable. Is your cat playful? Is he high energy? If so get another playful high energy cat. Elliot when I saw him in the shelter was "death gripping" a peice of purple carpet and kicking the poop out of it ^_^ So when I went to choose between the three girls I picked the more active one. They both play with each other when both of them need it, and are calm and away from each other at the right time. THe first cat you see might not be right for you. In fact it could be totally wrong. While your cat did do good with the other cats in the cage, it might not do good with a territorial cat. And it also depends on your preferences. Do you want another lovey dovey lap cat? Or would you like one that is more independant? I quite enjoy having aerowyn because she is more of a lovey kitty. She'll do anything for a neck scratch Elliot on the other hand can be very loving at times and he always shows his affection in little ways, but he would rather sing the national anthem of liberia in an imitation of micheal jackson than sit in my lap and be petted (and when he does do this I check him to make sure he's not sick) ^_^ hope this helps you out a bit! Remember, you may absolutely fall in love with the first cat you see, but there are probably many other cats in the shelter waiting for a home. Also, kittens are always good, but maybe you should think of adopting a sociable, older cat? These cats are more likely to be put asleep than a kitten (because kittens are more desireable) In fact there was a 7 year old long haird black cat I wanted to adopt but my mom told me we came here for a kitten, so I got Elliot. (though I really was looking for a red kitten and elliot is red ) Yeah Im talking too much again *haha*

I think a companion will be just what Joshua needs! It would help if you called the shelter and ask if you can bring him along, to see which cats he will interact best with.
Also, I reccomend getting a female, because your cat with another male may cause territorial issues. As for him being less affectionate, he won't be in the way of everyday petting, and he will probably still sleep with you etc. But the good news is, he won't wake you with his nighttime play sessions! He has another target for play now, besides you. So I'm guessing that can only be a good thing *grin* Best of luck finding a new kitty friend!!!
Laurel

You want a younger cat of the opposite sex. But two male cats also can get along. Basically, you want a younger kitten to have an easier introduction.

Originally Posted by Laurelism

I think a companion will be just what Joshua needs! It would help if you called the shelter and ask if you can bring him along, to see which cats he will interact best with.
Also, I reccomend getting a female, because your cat with another male may cause territorial issues. As for him being less affectionate, he won't be in the way of everyday petting, and he will probably still sleep with you etc. But the good news is, he won't wake you with his nighttime play sessions! He has another target for play now, besides you. So I'm guessing that can only be a good thing *grin* Best of luck finding a new kitty friend!!!
Laurel

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Normally, cats don't get along right way. You are supposed to keep them separated for a while, they are not like dogs.

I think a cat pal is a great idea. Be sure to read up on new cat introductions for the proper way to introduce a new cat to a resident cat. I don't really think it makes much difference as to gender. Two boy cats can get along just as well as a boy and a girl. I would suggest the new cat be the same age or younger than the resident cat.

One thing to keep in mind is that you can tell very little about the personality of a cat in a shelter. In a shelter the cat is in a stressful environment with strange new people interacting with it every day. When the cat gets home it eventually assumes its natural personality as it becomes accustomed to its new environment. Which may come as a big surprise to you.

And yes, the behavior of the resident cat toward you may change.

It's all a big adventure. You shouldn't get another cat as an experiment. You should only do it if you really want another cat and are willing to make the committment to accept and love the cat you get.

Good luck!!

Originally Posted by Laurelism

It would help if you called the shelter and ask if you can bring him along, to see which cats he will interact best with.

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Very sorry, but I think this is a very bad idea. In the first place, your current cat will be terrified and will not behave as he normally would, so the interaction tells you nothing; in the second place shelters are rife with cat germs and your current cat will likely get sick after making the trip.

I am definitely not the one to give advice on how to choose a cat. LOL

I chose Nunny because he seemed so laid back and easy going. He was a kitten in a pet shop and he was lying in his litter box, and I just thought that was the most adorable thing I'd ever seen, lol. Well, he's not laid back at all! He's very neurotic and he's my "special" baby whom I love dearly.

I just wanted to say, i think getting a mate for Joshua is such a thoughtful idea. He will benefit so much from that. And I'm so glad to hear that you're getting it from a shelter. You're a God send to some special little kitty.

As Tim said, be sure to read up on how to introduce a new cat.

Now, as far as how close you'll still be after you get the new kitty:

Nunny became slightly less affectionate, but Simmy totally made up for that. Simmy is all over me all the time and I welcome his affection every single time he wants to give it. I just love attention from him. It usually comes in little spirts throughout the day, lol. A bump, a little scent exchange (aka bump and smear, lol!) some purring and off to play with Nunny. lol

Originally Posted by marie-p

I adopted my kitty Joshua 3 months ago. And he is just the sweetest cat ever. (likes to snuggle with me, often sleeps right on top of me, likes to play fetch...)

However, he is a very needy cat and always wants attention or wants to play (especially at night). Since he is all alone whenever I'm not home, I think it would be a good idea for him to have a feline companion.

Before Joshua ended up at the shelter, he was living with approximately 6 other unneutered male cats. That means that he is used to other cats. I also introduced him to some friends cats and he was fine.

I will probably go to the shelter next weekend to find him a friend. I haven't contacted the shelter yet, but I am hoping they will let me take him with me.

Does anyone have any tips on choosing a second cat? (with or without the first cat being present)

Also, I don't want to sound selfish... but do cats become less affectionate towards people once they have a feline companion?

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i brought pandy because bonnie is an indoors only cat while i'm in the outback and i wanted her to have company, she's still as affectionate as she was before and sometimes even more because pandy is very affectionate and bonnie will copy her.

The most important thing is to let your cat know you still love him, a good way is to play games with both cats together, that way they will both feel loved and will get used to each other, i play games with bonnie and pandy every day for about an hour or so, they love it and they both get attention that way.

if one of your cats isn't as attention seeking as the other try to get him/her in on games more, bonnie is like that and even though she looks like she wants to be alone a lot, she perks up heaps as soon as she's involved in games.

obviously when you have two cats that get along they will play together and want 'cat only' time but this shouldn't prevent either of them from being affectionate towards you.




love,

felicia

thanks a lot for the advice.

I think I will leave Joshua home. Since he is a very sociable cat, I guess I shouldn't have a problem... as long as the other cat is also sociable.

Ideally I'll look for a young adult female cat who is used to being an indoors only cat and living with other cats. Preferably already spayed.
It could be hard to find exactly that but at least now I know what to aim for.

I'll probably go before the weekend... that way it'll be easier to force myself to keep them separate and let the new cat settle down in a quiet place since I'll be at work during the day.

Just thought I'd throw in my two cents here so to speak.
Despite what a lot of people think, domestic housecats are very much like their wild lion cousins, they do so much better in a situation where there are others of their species.
Observe an established feral colony to see this in action.

While realizing of course that all cats are individuals and some just prefer to be the 'only child'.

Over the years I've had a much greater success male/male and male/female cat companions than I have with female/female (we can assume that all cats involved are spayed/neutered).
My observations are that the established females, in a household situation tend to be slightly more territorial and less accepting of newcomers.
My males have always been the more curious, laid back and accepting.
I've always thought that it was perhaps because the males are quicker to settle dominance issues between themselves.

There are always going to be exceptions of course. I do have one female that is simply indifferent, but warms up quite quickly.

If both cats are young, regardless of the new cat's gender, you shouldn't have any major issues.

I have been reading the thread and was wondering if you got another cat yet? And what the outcome was?