Well, since Dozer's been home he just seems to get more and more comfortable every day. He's using his scratch post, loves his new litter box, is being spoiled by everyone. (I go out and buy him toys, and then random friends and family members just stop by with more!
) He is lovable to everyone who comes through the door. He's even gotten used to the dog in the house, Piggy. However, he shows small signs of wanting a playmate.
- If left alone in his secluded room during the day he will cry until my boyfriend or I come pick him up. Then he purrs and purrs. But, if we merely sit in the room he will amuse himself for a good 30 minutes on his own. Chasing his toy mice, running thoughout the room etc. We just have to be in the room for him to be able to have a good time.
-At night, we must play with Dozer for a good solid hour before he'll be okay for us to go to bed. We go in there with him and direct him towards the most exausting play we can until he lays down and closes his eyes. Sometimes he's in his carrier, and sometimes not. If not, then we pick him up and put him in his carrier. He adjusts himself and goes back to sleep. He'll be quiet till morning, and then only mews if he hears voices. We know he DOES play on his own, and continues to eat and use the litter box though. He's just quiet about it.
-We've been trying to teach him not to play with hands. He's usually good about it, until he gets into "play mode." Then he seems to think that hands are fun to play rough and tumble with. It's hard to explain, but he ACTS like the hand is another kitten to roll around with.
-Dozer tries to get Piggy to play with him now. Piggy is a huge chow/shar-pei mix. She's 14 years old, going blind, is deaf, has hip dysplasia etc. She's not the type of dog to be a playmate. Don't get me wrong, she's been doing fabulous with Dozer. She's calm and collected. In order to get Dozer used to her Piggy comes up to him regularly and then leaves if he hisses at her. She's tolerant of him playing around her, and doesn't do anything about him pawing her or trying to incite her to play. But, I have a feeling that if Dozer had a playmate, then he wouldn't try to get Piggy involved.
My boyfriend has also been saying that it would be really "cool" to have black cat as a playmate for him. No coincidence that our mutual friend down the street has several 5 week old black kittens at all!
I think maybe he just wants his OWN kitten!
The thing is that two vet bills would be very expensive for us. Right now I'm having to have my parents help out with paying for this little guy. Plus, getting another litterbox, more toys etc. for another kitten would also add to bill fusteration (of which there is a lot recently.) I know my boyfriend would help out some with cost, but also time is an issue. Soon, I'll have a new job, and won't be here as often (right now it's like 23/7). He also works. I know that two cats would amuse eachother, but they also need as much human love as possible too. Especially when they're just babies. This little guy alone breaks my heart everytime I have to go to the store. Imagine if I had two pairs of little devestated eyes to look into everytime I needed to run an errand!
So, I guess, should I get him a little friend anyway? Most of the things I talked about seem like things that he might grow out of. But then again, I'm no cat expert. But I would do anything for this little guy, and if a friend for him would make him happy, well then I guess I'm eating ramen next month.
Please advise, and if you think he DOES need a playmate, please tell me if you think he should have a female or male friend, and if you think another 3 weeks is too long to wait. (That's when my friends kittens will be 8 weeks old.)
- If left alone in his secluded room during the day he will cry until my boyfriend or I come pick him up. Then he purrs and purrs. But, if we merely sit in the room he will amuse himself for a good 30 minutes on his own. Chasing his toy mice, running thoughout the room etc. We just have to be in the room for him to be able to have a good time.
-At night, we must play with Dozer for a good solid hour before he'll be okay for us to go to bed. We go in there with him and direct him towards the most exausting play we can until he lays down and closes his eyes. Sometimes he's in his carrier, and sometimes not. If not, then we pick him up and put him in his carrier. He adjusts himself and goes back to sleep. He'll be quiet till morning, and then only mews if he hears voices. We know he DOES play on his own, and continues to eat and use the litter box though. He's just quiet about it.
-We've been trying to teach him not to play with hands. He's usually good about it, until he gets into "play mode." Then he seems to think that hands are fun to play rough and tumble with. It's hard to explain, but he ACTS like the hand is another kitten to roll around with.
-Dozer tries to get Piggy to play with him now. Piggy is a huge chow/shar-pei mix. She's 14 years old, going blind, is deaf, has hip dysplasia etc. She's not the type of dog to be a playmate. Don't get me wrong, she's been doing fabulous with Dozer. She's calm and collected. In order to get Dozer used to her Piggy comes up to him regularly and then leaves if he hisses at her. She's tolerant of him playing around her, and doesn't do anything about him pawing her or trying to incite her to play. But, I have a feeling that if Dozer had a playmate, then he wouldn't try to get Piggy involved.
My boyfriend has also been saying that it would be really "cool" to have black cat as a playmate for him. No coincidence that our mutual friend down the street has several 5 week old black kittens at all!
The thing is that two vet bills would be very expensive for us. Right now I'm having to have my parents help out with paying for this little guy. Plus, getting another litterbox, more toys etc. for another kitten would also add to bill fusteration (of which there is a lot recently.) I know my boyfriend would help out some with cost, but also time is an issue. Soon, I'll have a new job, and won't be here as often (right now it's like 23/7). He also works. I know that two cats would amuse eachother, but they also need as much human love as possible too. Especially when they're just babies. This little guy alone breaks my heart everytime I have to go to the store. Imagine if I had two pairs of little devestated eyes to look into everytime I needed to run an errand!
So, I guess, should I get him a little friend anyway? Most of the things I talked about seem like things that he might grow out of. But then again, I'm no cat expert. But I would do anything for this little guy, and if a friend for him would make him happy, well then I guess I'm eating ramen next month.
Please advise, and if you think he DOES need a playmate, please tell me if you think he should have a female or male friend, and if you think another 3 weeks is too long to wait. (That's when my friends kittens will be 8 weeks old.)