How to pick out a new kitty -- advice

I have decided to get another kitty --mostly because my Bella is fairly social and is home by herself all day and could really use a playmate and companion. She is 7yrs old, social, sweet, very tolerant and quiet and not mischevious. But the previous owners I think had cats/dogs/kids, so my single girl house is too quiet I am realizing.

So any advice about choosing one that will fit well w/ the two of us?
Will Bella be jealous? (Bella is spoiled & gets lots of attention from me)
I was thinking a 3-4yr old female, but is that good?
Bella has had a relapse of her IBD (see my post in Health/Nutrition) so I was going to wait a month or so before getting a new kitty, but any comments about this? Would it do more harm than good? She does seem lonely now, so think she would love a new friend but this may be too much too soon?
Bella has great habits -- like always using litter box, staying off counters, doesnt chew or howl or anything. Also uses scratching post -- very well trained. If I say No, she will stop. So, will a new kitty teach her to be naughty?

thanks for any advice.. I have never introduced a new kitty before..

I have heard that the best combos are male/female or male/male and female/female being the least amicable of a partnership
But it all depends on the kitty.
I am not sure about the IBD issue. Hopefully someone else can aid you there.
Good luck!

Bella won't learn any bad habits from a new cat.

I think you just have to look for a cat that catches at your heart....a cat that you see saying "please take me home!!"

Originally Posted by coaster

I think you just have to look for a cat that catches at your heart....a cat that you see saying "please take me home!!"

Click to expand...

Exactly, don't go in thinking, "I want a female gray kitten with short hair" go in in thinking "I want to see what cat I click with", or see what cat chooses you. As long as you go through the proper introduction techniques which there are plently of threads and posts around here somewhere on it, then all should go well. Don't just plop them down together and expect them to be best friends. Some cats take longer then others, give them time.

As a breeder, it is a part of my "job" to assist people in finding their idea of the perfect pet. I can't tell you how many times this has happened ... someone will contact me with a very specific idea on what kind of kitten they want and what they are looking for in personality or temperment ... only to have a kitten that couldn't be any further from what they describe steal their hearts. I will never forget the one kitten buyer who came to my home thinking they were going to get a specific kitten and when they got here, this other lovely little girl climbed right up onto the man's chest, made herself comfortably at home and slept on him, purring into his ear. When the woman kept steering him towards the other kitten, he said, "No, I've made my choice" when in fact, he didn't have the first bloody thing to do with making that choice. *grin*

The reason I tell you this is because it is my firm belief after dealing with cats and kittens for a really long time now, cats choose us. Not the other way around.

Best of luck with your new companion.

~gf~