I Want a New Cat, But I Already Have One!

[Placebo]

I want a new pet, and it's probably going to be a cat because I live in an apartment and I'm starting college soon so I won't be able to spend time with it.

The thing is, I already have a cat who is 13 years old, but I want a new kitten!

Has anyone had any experience introducing a kitten to an older cat?

Would you advise me NOT to get a new kitty because I already have one? I really want a new pet! :bounce:

[aquart]

1. Two cats are better than one.

ESPECIALLY if you are going to be away from home a lot.

My concern is that your old cat is not used to other cats. But there are protocols for introducing a new cat.

1. The new kitten does not belong to you. It is the property of your cat who will tell it what its place is in the household. That place will be low. (When I introduced David, Taxi wouldn't let him out of the bathroom for the first six months. After that, David was allowed out of the bathroom, but not in the livingroom.)

2. You will do nothing to make your cat jealous. Unless you like to have your shoes peed in.

3. Even if they hate each other, keeping the new cat from getting its stuff will keep your old cat alive and determined for many many years.

4. Pick a really young kitten, like 8 weeks. I introduced Lucky, an 11-month-old teenager, and he is terrorizing my old cat, Isis.

[Placebo]

2. My current cat is declawed too

I was worried a kitten would hurt the older one as it started to grow older, but I don't think that would be an issue.

I hope my cat wouldn't be jealous, and I'd HOPE they'd become friends!

[alittlelark]

3. Given that you are starting college soon, I'd guess not

I took my cat w/ me to college, and would do it again no matter what, but I paid abput $200 more per month , because I was living off campus, had to drive, park.... My friends who lived in the dorms had it cheaper, and easier - but I had Tara!

If your family wants another cat, and would care for it, maybe...

[Placebo]

4. Well I am going to be living at home

so it's not like I'm going away :)

[shadu]

6. Good for you

I would miss my cats horribly.

[shadu]

5. Try before you buy

The Humane Shelters I work with allow
a period of introduction: if the cats don't get along,
you try a different one. Like people, some cats hate each other right
from Jump Street. A little posturing and vocalization
are normal; flesh wounds, dominance rolling, and alpha-cat-mounting
for extended periods are not. I foster a variety of cats.
Some of the adults love all kittens, some of the adults would
kill them on sight.

Your cat would love a new kitten!
Please get a kitten out of jail:
adopt from your local Humane Shelter.

[Placebo]

7. Is it true that female cats get along better with OTHER female cats?

Or are mixing up the sexes better?