adopting a new cat and having her get along with the old one??

Hello, I hope this isn't an old re-hashed topic. I tried to search a little but didn't find anything. Anyway, I thought this would be a good time to introduce myself anyway since I'm new.

I have a Siamese named Wombat who is 9 years old. She is a spayed female, blue point. I recently (about 3 months ago) moved out of my parents house to live on my own (I've just turned 24) and I brought Wombat with me. Right now I'm living in a one room (plus a bathroom) apartment that belongs to the owner of the barn where I also keep my horse.

My cat is used to having other cats around. My parents had two tabby cats. I think she is probably lonely especially when I'm working (which is 40 hours out of the week). On the other hand she's always been very attached to me and possesive of me. The cats my parents had were tabbys and although they were friendly and cuddily they didn't care one way or the other about me.

I'm worried that if I adopt another cat that she'll get very upset when I give the other cat attention. She does get a little territorial at times but that's mostly with male cats I have noticed. She's much more accepting of females and has gotten pretty chummy with a few females.

So my idea was to adopt a female Siamese. Everyone says to adopt a young one if possible, like a kitten. But at the same time, I wouldn't mind adopting and adult about the same age as her because I know they don't get adopted as quickly. But I want her to like this new arrival.

Any ideas what would be best?

Thanks for listening.

I really don't think a cat of the same breed will make any difference. You just need a cat that is fine around the others at the shelter. And there really is still no guarentee they will be friends immediately.

Remember to go thru the proper introduction processes, you can find that step by step on this site. Just don't plop them down in front of each other to meet for the first time. Let them discover each other on their own. Use pure vanilla extract on both of them first so they smell alike and buy some Feliway plug ins to lower the stress level.

Sorry. I read my post again and realized that it does sound like I was getting a Siamese because I thought that breed would matter. Actually, I just love Siamese so that is why I'm planning for this new cat to be Siamese. I'm using the Siamese Rescue Center. I have always had Siamese and so I would just like to have more.

I have had wombat for all of her 9 years and she and I are incredibly close. She's my best friend, as tacky as it sounds. I wish I could bring her to work with me or that I didn't have to work and could just stay with her.

Mostly I'm just worried she'll get upset by the other cat. I guess I won't know until I try though. Do you think it matters if I get an adult cat or a kitten? I ask because everyone I know says to get a kitten because she'll accept it better but I feel like adult cats in shelters don't have as much chance to be adopted.

The other thing is that Wombat is very active. She does sleep most of the time of course. But when she is awake she is usually playing: races around, vocalizes, plays with her toys and with the other cats at home she usually would play with them a lot.

Anyway, thanks I will try the things you recomended when introducing them.

Here's an excellent article about introducing cats: http://www.thecatsite.com/Cats/Cat_B...cing_Cats.html

I think the chances of your finding a true kitten in a rescue would be fairly slim, but I guess you never know. The biggest thing is to do proper introductions and not just throw the two cats together and expect them to get along. Since you're researching this, I'm sure you know that already. Kittens may be more accepted by older cats because they are smaller, but they can also really annoy adult cats because they have so much energy.

Wombat might be upset with you and with the other cat for a while. Be prepared for that. However, if you do this, give her a chance to be upset and give them time to become friends. Most likely they will and it will be the best thing you could do for Wombat.

I'll move this to the Behavior section for more input.

I suggest you get an adult closer to her age. My experience was very stressful. I thought my 15 year old cat would like a friend since her buddy died. I adopted a 4 month old male who annoyed the heck out of her after I nursed him back to life. After a lot of grief and not knowing what to do, he was knocking her over, I adopted another male his age, and they get along great. I still keep her separated when I am not home and at night she stays in bed with me because she hates them and they will tease her. I know my situation is different in the gender and age span, but just thought it might apply.

Thanks for everyone's helpful advice. I'm going to check out the article. I think I will try to adopt another cat more her age--that will give me a broader selection anyway. The Siamese Rescue Center says that they have a high success rate of placing cats into the right homes and if it really isn't working they will take the cat back and try another but they said to give it 6 months. I know it might take some time for them to get adjusted. I'll keep a close eye on them. I can have someone come over on the two days I work all day long. Most days I work all day but I come home for a long lunch so I can check on them.

Someday when I have a house and not an apartment I want to get a lot of cats. I love cats, I've grown up with them. Although maybe it won't be for a long time until I get many cats. Maybe when I retire I'll be the old lady with 50 cats (all adopted and spayed or neutered of course!). I'll just stay at home and enjoy my cats.

Hi everyone, I just got a new kitten ( 9 wks) yesterday...he is very fearless. Itis my older cat Otis (6 mo) that is really mad. But today, i let out Boston and Otis who sleeps on top of the china cabinet, didnt come down to hiss at him. Is that a good sign? He is letting him run around. What should i do next?

Originally Posted by laureen227

i'd recommend an older cat, as well - Cable just bugged the heck out of my 7 year olds when i rescued her as an 8 week old kitten. after Mouse died, Cable just would not leave Pixel alone - until Java came along - finally Pixel had some time alone! now, CAble & Pixel are good friends, mutually groom, etc - but Cable's calmed down a lot from last year. i don't plan on ever getting another kitten.

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Your cats have great names...

But anyway, I would just go to the shelter and observe all the cats and kittens there and see how they act and respond to different things, to you, to each other, etc. Don't go in saying I want a cat or I want a kitten. Be open, tell the shelter workers your situation and concerns and they can help you find the perfect cat. And you have to give it enough time too once you bring the new cat home. It is very important to follow the certain ways of introducing new cats because doing something wrong could cause a fight and just end up taking a longer time to get along.