Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties:
I have had my cat for about three months. He is an 8-year-old Persian who I got from someone getting rid of him on Facebook. The woman giving him up felt that she did not have time for him. When I got him his fur was pretty patchy and he looked really skinny and had intestinal worms. The worms are gone, his fur is growing back, and he looks like he’s at a healthier weight. He also seems to have grown to trust and like me more. He never used to sit close to me or lay with me for more than a few minutes, but now cuddles and sits with me. I work 12-hour shifts but only three days a week. I worry about him when he’s home alone. When he lived with the other girl, she had another cat. He gets along okay with my parents’ cat when we visit, but I can’t tell if he misses having a companion. I’ve been debating getting a second cat, but don’t know if it’s right. He has some issues with change. He cried when I moved from one bedroom to the other and when I got a new bed. Should I think about getting another cat or not?
~ Abby
Thomas: First of all, Abby, thank you so much for adopting this cat. You almost certainly saved his life by doing so. And thank you to the human who realized she didn’t have time to take care of him properly and found him another home.
Bella: Now, as for your question about whether you should get another cat. There are a few things to consider before doing so.
Tara: First of all, you’ve only had this cat in your home for about three months, and he may still be getting used to his new home. So we think you should give him some more time to settle in before you consider adopting another cat.
Thomas: If you’re concerned that your cat is lonely or bored when you’re away, there are some things you can do to keep him stimulated.
Bella: First, if you don’t have a nice, tall cat tree, you should get one. Put it near a window so he can look out and watch “bird TV.”
Tara: Bird TV is my favorite! I sit on Mama’s desk and chatter at the birds in the trees behind our house!
Thomas: Another thing you can do is get him some puzzle toys. They come in a whole assortment of shapes and styles, and they can keep your kitty busy when they’re awake. This Catit Play Circuit Bundle is one example.
Bella: It’s got a ball track, grooming area, and puzzle feeder toy. Mama, this looks super-fun! Can we have one?
Tara: We’ve been good kitties, and we know Santa Paws will have lots of treats for us!
Thomas: Mama’s always said it’s nice to have two cats so they can keep each other company, but sometimes it’s just not practical to get another cat. That’s when puzzle toys come in.
Bella: But if you want to try having another cat in your home, consider fostering.
Tara: That’s right. Fostering is great because not only will it give you a chance to see if your guy will get along with other cats, but it saves lives, too!
Thomas: In order to foster, you will have to have a separate room for your foster kitty to live in while you introduce your cat and the foster cat using tools like scent swapping and playing together.
Bella: Check out this post for information on how to introduce another cat.
Tara: And make sure you spend time playing with your cat when you’re home, too. That’ll help him feel confident and more ready to make friends if you do decide to get another cat.
Thomas: So, Abby, long story short: We think you should wait a while and let your cat settle in a bit more before you get another cat.
Bella: And if you do bring another cat into your home, try fostering first. That will give you a good sense of whether or not your cat will do well with feline roommates.
Tara: What about you other readers? Do you have some tips for helping Abby’s cat settle in? Have you had a situation like this, and did you get another cat? How did it go? Please share your thoughts in the comments!
JaneA Kelley is a punk rock cat mom and award-winning blogger. She is a regular columnist for Catster Magazine, and she and the Paws and Effect Gang share a home in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
Great advice as always. Yes, thanks for adopting him, he seems so much better with your care. Fosteriing in the near future is a great idea to see if he really would want to live with another cat. The only problem with that is if they really bond and the other cat gets adopted it may break his heart to lose his companion. You should probably then consider yourself a “foster failure – which is not a bad thing at all” and adopt the kitty yourself. Keep him entertained and give him lots of attention when you can. Love seems to make them flourish more than anything else.
My cat, Holly, just lost her bestie of 12 yrs. She keeps looking around for her. We are both so sad. I’m 80 y.o., unable to take on another cat. Any suggestions?
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I have a 4 year old cat. Don’t like cats but I think he would like to play with one but I worry that he would hump then to death. He is fixed he has a teddy bear for but I work a lot and I think my cat is lonely an he loves to play but he plays rough. He is a 25 pound cat an is will trained. Should I get him a playmate
Sounds like you may have a Maine Coon cat. I have a 4 year old 25lb Maine Coon cat who has been fixed and he loves to play with me. But my daughters cat is a she and half his weight and they chase each other but haven’t truly bonded. However, I have to say that even given their difference in sizes and not seeing each other often I think that they would enjoy each other if they had stayed together longer and their sizes and possibly sexes matched a little more closely. Perhaps fostering another cat of the same size and maybe same sex for a while could turn into something good for both. Just a suggestion.
I have a 17-year-old cat that I’ve had since a kitten and now I have a 7-year-old cat they took him from my sister. It took a while but these two have become buddies. Recently I taken in a three Legged cat. This cat is male and four years old. He Wants my attention 100% time. He was not fix & spend 4 weeks in my garage. He has been reduced to my two cats but he is continuing to chases my 17 old into the back bedrooms. Is the age difference I’m afraid to let them interact without supervision.
Are they ever going to get along or am I torturing the 17-year-old cat?
The 7 yr old Is not particularly happy either but they have come to the agreement just to growl at each other. Which is becoming less and less.
My cat is 3 yrs old and very lonely. We have a chance to get another 3 yr old cat, same sex and both neutered. We also have a chance of a 3mth old which is neutered. Any suggestions on the best choice?
Hi, my Theo is an orange tabby and he seems lonely for his own species. He gets lots of love and attention from us and all our friends. He will be 5 years old in September. He has always been an indoor cat since we have had him as we feel its too dangerous outdoors. Ive been promising him that we are going to find him a companion. Should he have a female or male and should the new cat also only be indoors. Theo is rather aggressive when he wants his way. We would appreciate any advice. Thank You.
We’ve had Emily for 2 months. she is a 9 month old rescue. She is healthy active and social. However, she plays aggressively and scratches and soft bites us. Nothing we have tried seems to work to stop this. It has been suggested that another cat might change this behavior. perhaps starting with a foster. What do you think?