Need Cat Advice!

[Jamestown1630]

Hi;

I just joined the Kitty-Ping list.

I have what is kind of an urgent question about CATS, and our FRiend 'Slings and Arrows' suggested that I post it to the larger group.

We adopted a little cat, Leroy, a week ago; he’s about 8 months old and still very kittenish. He's adapted to us and our household very well; but we think he needs a cat companion.

We have the choice of adopting one of his brothers, from the same litter; or adopting a female cat who is about 1-1/2 years old, who has already had a litter.

I have never really ‘mixed ages’ in cats; I’ve either had a single kitten, or two or three adults.

Do you think there would be problems, if we adopted the older female, and she lived with the 8-month old male?

We like both the older female and the little brother cat equally; but we want what will be the most harmonious mix.

(The adoption org told us that they first had Leroy and his whole litter available at the pet store; but they fought among themselves so much, that nobody would adopt them. So, then they started showing the boys singly; and that’s how we adopted Leroy.)

The older female is very calm and quiet; the Leroy is very “exuberant", to put it mildly :=)

Can anyone give us advice? We have to make a decision within a day or two.

We live in a small space - two bedroom, two bath apartment. We've never had a problem keeping two cats here; but we've never mixed ages. And, at least until everyone is adapted, the cats will have to stay together in the Master BR, while we are at work.

We are hoping to adopt a second cat before the upcoming holiday weekend, so we'll have several days to get everyone adapted.

The advice of FR cat people would be greatly appreciated;

and

Thanks very much,

JT

[Yosemitest]

Male cats spray, unless they are "fixed" and they will stink your whole home.
Depending on the breed of kitten you have, a companion may not be a good idea.
You should be your cat's playmate.
Your kitten is going through a growing stage and just needs more of your attention, petting, holding, etc.
In general, cats are very, very independent, and they "agree"to live with you.
If you teach them at a young age, and 8 months is not too young, they will get use to a leash and being on a leash.
After a little time you can even walk them while they are on a leash.
You can watch it and leash it to a coffee table leg and make it so it can get to its water bowl and to its littler box.
Then put it back in its cage like a travel cage, big enough for its bed, its litter box and its water and feed dish.
This will always be its "safe area" so if a friend comes with an "out of control" pet, you can put your cat in its home space and lock the door and the unruled pet won't bother it.
But you can leave the door open when you're at home with it and it can come and go as it pleases.
The older the cat gets, the less it'll want to "play" with other animals.

Good luck.

[radu]

I think it matters when a male cat was neutered, as to how he’ll be as an older cat.

Not necessarily. We've had kittens neutered at 6 or 7 months and we've had adult males show up who were who-knows-how-old when we had them neutered. We have a few who still get "frisky" with the girls (all spayed) and they were neutered at different ages. Not sure what determines whether or not they'll give up on the idea.

[chit*chat]

Most go for kittens. I usually save the older, less healthy guys. We all get along, siblings and newbees. One came from above Syracuse but older lady had two older males who rolled him and she did not want him living outside a second winter. Boy was he mad at being moved. Growled, bit my leg if I walked by him. I thought I’d finally met one I couldn’t handle. We had him and mom fixed at same time but once free they coupled immediately, I thought the surgery didn’t work. Well it all calmed down in a few days. One day he doesn’t come home. Days, weeks, months. I was a little hurt, I have NEVER had a cat choose someone else over me. My oldest male kitten was devastated. One day here he is at the back door. This time he “chose us” and no more growling, nipping, fussing. He is a real love bug. He went to visit his other family for about 24 hours the other day and the entire clan was looking for him, taking turns going outside to find him. He returned to a loving reunion and treats last night. Save the older female if you can. They will work things out. There are opinions but no exact formula that is absolute. They will take cues from you. If you are quiet and calm they will grow into it too. Just remember that little boy is a kitten, everything is new, fresh and exciting. He has lots of energy and curiosity now. Don’t holler or hit, chide him gently, pet him softly and tell him no, move him from the temptation. And enjoy his toddler years. They are not logical so don’t correct them like a child and expect it to work. Love them and let them love you. C*C

[chit*chat]

Female cats spray too. Keep the litter box clean and you should not have a problem. Contrary to popular thought most cats prefer company, yours, another cat, even a dog. If the kitten did not come from a house with a dog and i worked i would consider my patience and upsetting the kitten first. Although introducing at kitten stage is a good time. Spraying is strictly territorial unless a (rare) bladder infection is involved. As I said it is all new to him and everything is a toy. Teach him words. CAR! For danger if he goes out. Eat. Fresh for brushing, cleaning their litter. My cats come when I call. Don’t have to come in if they are not ready but they check in when I call. You must EARN a cats love and trust, they are not like dogs. The reward is great. C*C

[Excellence]

I’ve never not had mixed ages, and never had a problem.

[chit*chat]

BTW I just observed this from my current group of bebies. When playing, just playing no fur, the girls only squeal like they are being battered. Can be either a female but usually the males instigate the playing. I used to run to their rescue until I realized it is only the girls and a defense mechanism. I was talking crossly to the boys but now I realize it is just a gender difference. I still watch what is going on but its just how the genders react. This is important to know. C*C

[doorgunner69]

Does the older cat seem to want a buddy?

Before we were able to bring out one year old Siamese to Hawaii with all the BS quarantine waiting, my sister in law that was keeping him told my wife that he really needed a buddy.

Seems he bonded and played with the SIL's other cats constantly. So the wife went out and got a kitten locally. He started growing to be a terror.

When Miki came to the islands finally, they were not instant friends, but after a week or so were play fighting and great pals.

The kitten is young, so if the older female seems likely to want a buddy, it will probably work. The kitten, like most of them, will adapt.

[rockinqsranch]

The answer from two people who’ve been herding cats for 37 plus years, had over forty of them, as many as 16 at one time of all ages, all makes, and models is....drum roll....it doesn’t matter. After a period of adjustment the cats will get along no matter which route you take.

The problem would be if one thinks the other is getting more attention it could be a problem, so share yourselves equally amongst them.

[catnipman]

Highly recommend a litter mate: MUCH more likely the two cats will get along capitally. It’s not unusual for unrelated cats to hate each others’ guts and NEVER change their minds about it. Such a situation can make for very unhappy cats and a very unhappy household.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

With only 68 years of experience, I only want spayed female kitties for my house cats. Much less trouble then males, even if they’ve been fixed. They get along great with dogs too. When I got Chess as a tiny kitty, she would latch onto my Briards heavy coat, and ride around!

[PA Engineer]

That said, the opportunity to adopt a sibling should trump everything else, imo.

Agreed.

[Nepeta]

If the older cat is staid, quiet, settled, I would go for the younger sibling. Young kittens who grow up playing together do a much better job of tolerating each other's manic phases. When they mature a bit and slow down, they can become devoted to one another.

If you really like the older cat, why not adopt BOTH? She can play when she feels like it, and then leave the "kids" to their hellraising when she wants to sleep.

[Veto!]

My last kittie family consisted of a female cat adopted when she was about a year old. And then, just a couple of months later, a big red male a few years older. She was in love with him at first sight. He was at the vet’s office lying on the couch in the waiting room, radiating pain. He’d just had surgery to reassemble his leg and shoulder after being run over— and his rotten owner abandoned him at the vet’s office. Naturally, I had to get my sweet little female this wonderful companion cat. Her heart went out to him immediately. They got along together for years and years and years. We had a dog too, and then two other cats moved in. Two males.

Really, I don’t think it matters, as long as YOU love the kitties and they are fed well and cuddled and played with, you should have a very happy family. And bless you for being a wonderful, caring cat person.

[siamesecats]

I have 14 cats. Ages from 12 to 6 months, and they all get along. I make them get along. There are occasional skirmishes, spray water bottle comes in handy. I’d get the slightly older female for the kitten.

[Joe Boucher]

Cats make great speed bumps

[duckman]

Adopt the brother. IMO an older feline may reject the kitten and become territorial. I had adopted 4 kittens from the same litter and it was heart warming to watch them grow up together.

[9YearLurker]

I’d think you could find out pretty immediately if the siblings get along, but it would likely take longer to acclimate the new adult with the kitten. (E.g., you may need to keep them in separate rooms for a time, while they get familiar through the door.)

So if they’d let you take a sib on trial, that would probably be the easiest thing to try first.

[Las Vegas Dave]

Cats rule!!!

[Uversabound]

Hi everyone,

I did not even finish your note. Please if you can adopt both of them the brother and the 1.5 old do it. Please.

If not, then take the brother. My whites are just about 1 year old and although there are 5 others in our family the brothers love to play and really behave like one sometimes!

Good luck. YOu are saving 2 lives maybe 3?

[Lx]

I’ve had kittehs almost my entire adult life. The young one will get along fine with the older one or with its siblings, it doesn’t really matter, they have no problem telling each other when they don’t want to be bothered. They also always have distinct personalities as well.

Just make sure one isn’t the kind that wants to hide in the closet all day as that is a habit that is almost impossible to break.

Why stop at two? I don’t know the laws where you live but having four kittehs is awesome.