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

[CAluvdubya]

Thanks for the ping, slyfox :D

Jamestown, I haven't read all the replies but I can relate my experience to you. I took in a little brother and sister duo. They were a bit younger than 8 months at the time. The little brother was and still is a little terror most of the time (he's also loveable as all get out!). He just plays too rough. He was so rough with his sister, that she was very nervous all the time. We found her a great home where she was an only "child" and treated like the queen she always knew she was. :D

Bottom line, I think I'd go with the older female instead of the brother. She may be able to handle the "little" one better. In our home (4 cats, 2 males, 2 females) the girls won't take any sass from the boys. The girls rule the roost! The boys try, but one hiss and they run off. Since the brothers are known to fight all the time, I don't think that will change.

Of course, they're cats so everything I just said might, quite possibly, be hogwash! LOL

[CAluvdubya]

I have a little (six pound) male cat. We got a kitten that grew into a 22 pound mountain of muscle. He would knock the other cat flying without even trying. We had to find him a new home.

I have a big Ragdoll male and two smalle females, one a 6 pound elderly lady and one a 7 pound tiny Calico. The females dominate the 17 pound Ragdoll (and his 9 pound "brother"). It just depends on the temperament of each kitty, IMO.

[reed13k]

Having read all the comments on the thread to this point, I think the conclusion is obvious: you need to get both - the older female and the younger sibling.

There - problem solved.

[CAluvdubya]

After having now read all the replies I see it's about 50/50 sibling vs. female. I like the thought of getting both. But, of course, we cat people always think nothing of adding "just one more" to the crowder!

Can't wait to hear what you've decided and how it turns out.

[Twotone]

I’ve seen cats who didn’t like each other at first become buds, & I’ve seen cats who got along well at first become antagonistic to each other.

Cats are like people, very different in personalities. I’d go ahead & get the female you like. Even if they don’t particularly like each other, they’ll be okay when humans aren’t around.

[Jamestown1630]

Hi;

The older female is affectionate, but rather retiring. That’s what concerns me.

Thanks again to everyone. This morning the adoption lady assured me that Leroy will get along with his sibling fine, so I guess we are embarking on the sibling adventure.

Fortunately, they have a policy of taking cats back if they don’t work out. We would only return the cat if they absolutely didn’t get along and might harm one another; but all of you have made me feel as though everything will work out.

Again, I appreciate your advice very much, and I’ll let everyone know how it goes.

-JT

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

I think it partly has to do with the sex of the cats as well. Females are Queens of their clowders.

These were two males, (fixed) where the younger was trying to establish dominance over the older. Since the old was not only smaller but much older (by 12 years) the youngster was winning.

[Gefn]

I’m glad you are getting another kitten for Leroy.

I think it should work out fine. Maybe the female will thrive as an only kitty with a great kitty whisperer.

So many kitties need homes. Thank you so much for finding a home for two of them. You are going to get lots of kitty love!

[Gefn]

I forgot to say- welcome to the Kitty PIng List!

[ZirconEncrustedTweezers]

“We currently have a “herd” of 37 but have had many others over the years. “

I hope you’ve had them spayed/neutered if they weren’t already!

[Yaelle]

You never know. This question cannot be answered. It depends on the individual cats.

Two cats together (we mix ages all the time and have for decades) will always fall into a coexistence pattern. There will be a top cat. That cat will have an attitude like Obama toward the other cat. “I don’t give a blank” what younthink, will be top cat’s attitude. (And it could be either cat in your situation, but id lean toward the younger male, who should be fixed but even so)

Whether their relationship will be peaceful or not depends on the cat who isn’t top cat. The cat who isn’t top will either Care Deeply that he isn’t top, or he will not care so much. If he or she cares deeply, they will have a hiss and scratch relationship except for feeding time if their bowls are near each other. (As long as you feed them healthy canned food - kibble is poison for cats - at two regular meal times). If he doesn’t care that he’s not top, they might play together nicely and sleep together (not in the first month or two).

It really depends on the individual cat.

Watching cats get along, you can sEe why they say, in human relationships, the person who cares least has the power. It’s very true. The one who is screaming “I wanna be in charge!” Is the one who just isn’t.

[CatherineofAragon]

I second this. My concern is that the young, exuberant male would make life unpleasant for the older, quiet female. Her days might be spent trying to find a refuge, a place to get away...and that’s not fair to her. I would go with the littermate.

BTW, Jamestown, I think I told you I love your FR name, right? If not, I am now. :)

[Jamestown1630]

You’ve brought up an issue that I’ve never been able to figure out.

There is such a division of opinion on canned vs. dry food for cats - even among professionals; and especially regarding male cats.

Why do you think canned food is best?

(We have always given our cats canned food for their two main meals, and dry food ad lib. Except for one cat who developed a severe ear problem, and one that contracted cancer, we haven’t had health issues; and all other cats simply died of old-age complications.)

But I’ve never really known what the best diet is.

-JT

[T-Bone Texan]

"...It’s been my personal experience that a cat’s best friend and playmate is a dog..."

We got 2 kittens for Christmas. They are about 8 to 10 weeks old.

We also have 2 large dogs. The kittens hiss at them, but I want them to get along and have a big group hug. You know, like those adorable calendars where the tiny kitten curls up with the big, sad-eyed labrador.

Thus, every day I forcibly hold the dog still while I place as kitten on his back for a minute. After a while the kitten comes to like the warmth, and mellows out a little.

Question: is there anything I can do to make the kittens more tolerable of the dogs? The dogs are protective and already love the kittens and are big fans of the snacks they leave in the litter box.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Rub the dogs with cat nip.

[T-Bone Texan]

"...I have been a cat lover my entire life I am subscribed to Fancy magazine..."

You must have a lot of good recipes then.

[M Kehoe]

Welcome to FR.

Been a long time since we've been to Jamestown. I think it was about 1630, but I'm having a senior moment.

From what I've read, two cats (esp. siblings), will tend to live longer, and develop less spastic behavior.

Then again, you may end up eating both of them...

5.56mm

[Jamestown1630]

I doubt we’ll eat them; but last night little Leroy chewed to death a second perfectly good set of ear buds....

This is going to be an expensive cat.

-JT

[Exit148]

Good news. Thanks. And great that the shelter is flexible if things go awry. Do keep us posted, and have fun here with the kitty threads.

[patriot08]

Adopt the femalebut have her spayed. Maes and females get along better.