Question about Getting another Cat when you already have one

[gtbro1]

I have a cat that is about a year and a half old. It is female and has never been around other cats. I work a lot and have to leave it home alone a lot. My sister has a few cats and offered to give me one. I thought it might be good to give my cat a play mate. Is this a bad idea? I can get a male or female..she has both and they are fixed. The grown cats she has are about the same age as mine(female that has been fixed) but she also has a couple kittens. Any advice on which one, if any, would be best? How do I keep them from killing/ hurting each other?

[JediKnight]

At first the other cat may hiss or even try to attack the other cat, but give them both lots of love and make sure your male cat see's you showing affection to the new cat so it knows it is part of the family. I had the same scenario and now both cats love each other and look out for each other. Just make sure you show lots of affection to both of them while they are together so they can see it.

[gtbro1]

At first the other cat may hiss or even try to attack the other cat, but give them both lots of love and make sure your male cat see's you showing affection to the new cat so it knows it is part of the family. I had the same scenario and now both cats love each other and look out for each other. Just make sure you show lots of affection to both of them while they are together so they can see it.

thanks...the cat I have is female. Should I get another female or does it matter? should they be close in age? I would think a kitten might be best since it would grow up around the other one, but I don't know...it may be too playfull and piss the present cat off.

[spotter]

thanks...the cat I have is female. Should I get another female or does it matter? should they be close in age? I would think a kitten might be best since it would grow up around the other one, but I don't know...it may be too playfull and piss the present cat off.

I had two & then I found a third. The first two were @7 when I got the third cat.  I kept them in separate rooms, but each could smell the other under the door.   I slowly introduced them to each other.   I was careful, because the new guy was a kitten @ eight weeks old.  They hissed, and swatted, but I was there to make sure it did not get too much out of control.  I started with a few mins., and worked it up slowly.   It took about two weeks.   They are pretty good friends now.   He is still a pain to them sometimes, but they seem to be able to get along fine.   The internet has information on how to introduce cats to each other.  Good Luck......

[Princess L]

I had two & then I found a third. The first two were @7 when I got the third cat.  I kept them in separate rooms, but each could smell the other under the door.   I slowly introduced them to each other.   I was careful, because the new guy was a kitten @ eight weeks old.  They hissed, and swatted, but I was there to make sure it did not get too much out of control.  I started with a few mins., and worked it up slowly.   It took about two weeks.   They are pretty good friends now.   He is still a pain to them sometimes, but they seem to be able to get along fine.   The internet has information on how to introduce cats to each other.  Good Luck......

I listen to Calling All Pets with Patricia McConnell who is an animal behavior specialist and that question comes up a lot.  Her advice is always to have slow introductions and it could take several months for them to become friends...  Separate litter boxes, separate everything, including rooms for awhile...

Here.  Listen to a few programs.  The question comes up all the time.  Don't let the program description fool you.  There's a lot of content to the programs.  http://wpr.org/search/index.cfm

[JediKnight]

you should always have more than one litter box and more than one water bowl for the cats. It doesnt matter if u get a male or a female kitten, just take it slow but give them both lots of love and if u see them fighting, break it up quick and give them lots of petting and love. Sooner than later they will be fine, i didnt use another room or anything, and at like i said the older cat kinda got frisky but in a few days they started to become friends,,,remember in a cats life, food and treats and love play a big role,,look at old ladies they have like 20 cats and they all just want food and love and treats and a warm place to sleep.  Sometimes cats wont be that good of friends and U will play the biggest role in there life. My cats are 2 different breeds so they dont always get along but if i am around, one or the other will  always want there face or neck scratched. As long as u r a good owner, the cats just want a warm place to sleep , treats and love and food and water and clean litter.

[gtbro1]

thanks everybody.