Hi all. I've been reading a lot of posts and trying to formulate my own answer, but I'm one of those people who *really* thinks through her decisions - so I'd like your opinion.
Toby is 9 months old. He's an only cat and doesn't seem to mind being alone. He's extremely cuddly but not great with kids/strangers (he's pretty jumpy) and has only met another cat once (he didn't seem to care until his butt was sniffed - then the hissing began). He gets stressed by changes (when I went to visit my mom for a week and when I boarded him for a few days he tends not to eat much). He's super-extra clingy to me for about 3 days after we get home. He hasn't had any big behavior problems... just some biting issues at bedtime.
So that's his personality.
I've recently been thinking it might be good to get him a sibling. Currently I'm home most of the time, but in the future I'm going to be working 80ish hours per week (often being gone for 30 hours at a time). Toby doesn't seem to mind being alone.... but I feel guilty.
So here's a few questions:
I wonder whether it would be better to get a second now (while he's still fairly young and adaptable)?
Does it matter if I get a boy or a girl??
Do you think it's better if the new kitty is young (ie 12 weeks) so that Toby is "the boss"?
Thanks in advance for any opinions you can give me!!
Toby is 9 months old. He's an only cat and doesn't seem to mind being alone. He's extremely cuddly but not great with kids/strangers (he's pretty jumpy) and has only met another cat once (he didn't seem to care until his butt was sniffed - then the hissing began). He gets stressed by changes (when I went to visit my mom for a week and when I boarded him for a few days he tends not to eat much). He's super-extra clingy to me for about 3 days after we get home. He hasn't had any big behavior problems... just some biting issues at bedtime.
So that's his personality.
I've recently been thinking it might be good to get him a sibling. Currently I'm home most of the time, but in the future I'm going to be working 80ish hours per week (often being gone for 30 hours at a time). Toby doesn't seem to mind being alone.... but I feel guilty.
So here's a few questions:
I wonder whether it would be better to get a second now (while he's still fairly young and adaptable)?
Does it matter if I get a boy or a girl??
Do you think it's better if the new kitty is young (ie 12 weeks) so that Toby is "the boss"?
Thanks in advance for any opinions you can give me!!
