Am i being cruel?

so overall do you people think that it's definately worth getting the extra cat to make my current kitten extra happy, or can i achieve the same results by enirching it's environment?

i can tell you i feel sick everytime i leave her to go to work, i've even been driving home at lunch just to see her! if she had a friend i'd feel much better. I guess introducing another kitten sooner than later would be better?

Sooner would be better than later. Go for it, you sound like you are wanting another and it will most definetly make your little one not feel lonely and you feel better, too. I vote: YES !!!

I think another kitten is a great idea. I agree with emily, I've had every different pairing and for the most part there was harmony, although every so often a cat comes along that doesn't get along with anyone. I've never had that happen with a kitten or adolescent though. Just make sure you do your homework and introduce them properly.

Yup...string is bad.

We replaced some of our window screens with a heavier type that isn't as easily torn. With the recent heat I don't have much choice but to keep some windows open.

I vote Yes too

yeah i honestly feel sick with her at home by herself. (i have done no work this morning either) the problem is i won't be able to tell if they're a good pair until i've payed for the kitten and brought her home.

I'd say go for it. The only reasons I don't have two right now is vet bills in LA are $$$$$ and I had a hard enough time talking hubby into Anya. She has him wrapped around her paw though so I'm thinking a soon as we move back east I can win him over...

Originally Posted by philtrated

so should i look into getting another kitten for company? my current kitty is 6 months old (although i only got her last weekend). I was originally going to get 2 anyway, but i would want them to get along (and i guess that's hard to predict)

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Did she have any buddies at the shelter? They would be a good choice.

2 is a good number, as it is managable for you and gives them a buddy to play with while you're away.

no she was by herself asleep. i'm going to ring the shelter during my lunchbreak.

They may be a git hissy at each other to start with, but I think at that age, and given that's she's new to your house, they should get on fine.

I'd get another cat that is a similar age, that's friendly and playful, and I'm sure you'll have a great pair of kitties!

Good on you for getting RSPCA kitties as well - they're always packed with kitties I assume you're in Australia?

yep newcastle ok thanks so much for all your advice, i'm definately going to think about getting another kitten asap

Originally Posted by philtrated

yep newcastle

ok thanks so much for all your advice, i'm definately going to think about getting another kitten asap

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Good for you. Do check if she had a buddy you didn't see, it might not be likely but it's worth asking.

Good luck!

They can probably also tell you how she got on with other cats, and which cats they have are sociable.

At the RSPCA in Canberra, they had a covered outdoor enclosure with trees and stuff that the cats could hang out in, and they would put a bunch of cats out together because there was enough room for them to ignore other cats if they chose to. Anyway, so that also gave them a good idea of who got on with who, who was just plain scared of other cats and which cats would seek out other cats to try and fight with.

well i went home at lunch and rang the rspca. She said that you can tell if a cat is bored because they will tend to scratch furniture and mess up the house, and even if i did get another kitten there is risk that they won't get along anyway.

She said i was probably worrying too much. i'm really indecisive as to what to do now

If you were going to get a second cat anyway, now is a really good time to do it - before the current one gets too territorial about her space.

There is always going to be a risk that they won't get along, but the younger they are, the easier it is. Our neighbour has a cat (I'm in a townhouse complex), and our kitties meet on our front steps fairly regularly as our doors are side by side, and they're both allowed out there since they like rolling around on the front steps in the sun.

They are both female, yet both a bit under a year old, and where they lay is nobody's "territory" because they're both inside cats, so they sniff at each other, then try to run into each others house to check out each others toys Even when one cat realises the other is in their house, they run back to investigate, but there really hasn't been any aggression.

Every time I've gotten a new cat, I've worried and raced home at lunch to check up on the kitty for a good week or so. So I know how it feels But like I said, if you were thinking about a second cat anyway, now is a good time!

yeah i think deep down i'd like 2. thanks for your advice. i'm going away this weekend, so that will give me some time to think about it. the earliest i could get one is a week away anyway.

Originally Posted by philtrated

yeah i think deep down i'd like 2. thanks for your advice. i'm going away this weekend, so that will give me some time to think about it. the earliest i could get one is a week away anyway.

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IMO, go with your deep feelings Cats are indeed social creatures, and the more you research, the more you will confirm that - just look at feral cats! Perhaps you could also ask at the vets & check with other rescues and adopt another cat or kitten from there - there's no shortage (unfortunately) of kitties needing a good home. Your cat is young enough, she might even enjoy the companionship of an older, mellow cat. They do adjust to each other. You might want to read "Cat Confidential" by Vicky Hall, and check out threads here about introducing cats.
I hope to read about your newbie very soon!!

I think another kitten is a great idea. It's nice for an indoor kitty to have a playmate, and there shouldn't be any problems with them getting on given that she's young, provided you follow the guidelines on introductions and do it gradually.

Cats are amazingly able to take care of themselves. Yes, bad things can happen. Cats can get out of screened windows. Cats can be bored. But unless you see evidence of boredom or scratched or butted screens, there is no reason to think that you have a problem.

If you want two cats, then, by all means get two cats. But if your kitten seems happy as a single cat, then there is no reason to second-guess her happiness.

There is a lot of experience with how to deal with all kinds of problems with cats on this board, but, sometimes, cats do very well on their own, and we just need to stop worrying about them.

Use common sense and you and your cat will probably both be very happy.

as far as i know cats are not pack animals in the way dogs are and will do just fine if left alone all day as long as they have access to fresh water and food.

Originally Posted by jaycee

as far as i know cats are not pack animals in the way dogs are and will do just fine if left alone all day as long as they have access to fresh water and food.

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Not entirely true.
While some cats do prefer solitude, most cats enjoy the company of their own species.
In fact, kittens are much less likely to develop undesirable behaviors due to boredom if they have a playmate.


ETA: For the OP, please check that any potted plants you keep that your kitten can get to are not toxic.
Toxic plants