NBR: cat owners come in

SaranJonathan

DH seems to think that our kitty is lonely and needs another cat to keep her company. She is 1 1/2 years old. Is this crazy? He wants another one of the same breed. I think this is too much with LO on the way. But on the other hand I hope our kitty isnt really lonely. I hate for her to be bored!

How would you really know? Do you have two or more cats?

Lambie.

We have three.

Plus side: More kitty to love (obviously), they do play and exercise eachother, they aren't destructive at all and I am going to guess it is because they aren't bored

Negatives: more cat hair to clean up, you have to be a litter box Nazi

Anna&Matt

we have 2 - the bonus is that they entertain each other.

athena83

I'd tell him that if he's willing to clean the litter box every day and clean up the extra hair, etc. that he should go for it.  If it would be more work for you at this point, I'd say no.  To each his own, but as long as he's clear that he would pick up the extra slack while you grow a human (and still split responsibilities with you after) then go for it!

starsmaycollide

I only have one. I guess it just depends on the personality of your cat. I think mine would HATE another cat, lol.  She lived with a previous owner with a dog and hated that-the shelter suggested we keep her as a one and only pet.

AllThatGlitters101

I thought my cat was lonely, too, and let my husband buy a kitten. 3 years later all they do is bite and scream at each other when they come across one another. I also have to have 2 litterboxes now and I hate it. 

My oldest cat plays with our dog now. Of course. 

GBCK

a lot of pets do much better w/ a companion...

but nt all of them.

My oldest cat?  she would be THRILLED if all of the rest of the pets in the house left one day and didn't come back.

my little cat?  he'd be bored and destructive if he was alone.  (er, *more* bored and destructive)

SaranJonathan

Thanks for the input ladies. She LOVES to play. Of course one of us is responsible to play with her. The litterbox I am not worried about since DH has been doing it since december when I got off BCPs. He does it once daily so hes really good actually.

Too bad I cant borrow a kitten and see how she does! LOL! The above posts that mention their cat hated it is what worries me!

mmk3742

I moved back in with my parents who had recently gotten a kitten and brought my adult female cat.  She terrorized the kitten and beat her up.  They did eventually get over this and were big buddies and played.

Then when I moved her out, you would never had known she was missing the other cat.  She is a bit of a terror anyways.  I think she is much better off as an only cat.

GBCK

well, even those of us who had a cat who hated it...they learned to live with it.

And (don't tell her I told you this) if I take the other pets to the vet?

El Gato?  The one who doesn't like other pets?  she still wanders around the house looking for them.  It's kinda sad (because she'll hiss at them and tell them how much she hates them when they do come home) but funny.

rebus82

We have three. Our first was an only "child" for three years, and he was fine. We gave him lots of toys, a window seat, and a ton of attention. The other two have never known the single life save for their time at the shelter, so I'm not sure if they prefer company or not (they all play and fight.)

Most cats will do fine without other animals around, but they'll also do well with them. I find that, barring sickness or other time-consuming issues, two cats are as easy to care for as one, so I doubt that would be a big issue with your LO coming. That being said, another cat is yet another chance of sickness, behavioral issues, etc. I would highly suggest adopting an older, established cat, so you know how they are with babies/other cats.?

Saturnmazz

we have 3 and they def. entertain each other, it is however, 3 times more hair and the litter box was so overwhelming, we decided to let ours be outdoor kitties after 12 years and they couldn't be happier....(and us too)

MrsSchmookems

I might be late, but we have 2 kitties and it's great because they play together and snuggle when it's chilly.  The litter box hasn't been overwhelming at all and neither has the hair. I actually can't take just one of them to the vet because they both pitch a fit about being apart.

And if you are worried about your kitty not liking the new kitty, a lot of places will let you take them home for a weekend or a few days and see how it goes.  Or you could foster.

noslen0519

We have two cats and they love each other. Our older cat is very needy and when it was clear he needed company, we got him a friend (another male kitten). He was about a year old at the time. They keep each other comapny and give each other exercise and entertainment. We couldn't imagine our lives without BOTH of them and love them both to pieces. The litter does fill up fast, but if you stay on top of it it's not a problem. Just try to be concious of your currnet cat's personality and how she may respond to a roomate. You also will want to keep them separate for a period when the new kitty arrives. Good luck!

Mrs.C042807

We have 2 cats.  They really do keep each other company.  Especially now since we're not loving on them as much. 

lo45fd98wq32

It just depends on the cat. Mine is a loner. He hates our dog, and he generally hates other cats. He would not be interested in a playmate, no matter how much I wish it were so.

ScrapMama

You know you could "borrow" a cat. Around here the shelter lets people foster animals until theu are found a home. My sister is a foster "parent" to animals. We are thinking about getting DS a kitty and we have thought about letting one of Beth's foster cats come stay with us for a little while to see how Jack does with it. I think you have to take like a 2 hour class to be registered, but you might want to look into that option!

greenclown

We have two.  We got the second about a year after the first.  It caused WW3 at first.  We thought the older one might kill the younger one.  They eventually learned to like each other, they played a ton, and every now and then I caught them snuggling.

Then we moved, and now the older one is back to hating the younger one.  I think the trauma of the move made her forget that she'd gotten used to her.  Maybe someday they'll be friends again. 

JennaNAaron

I was told by a woman who considers herself an expert that after one is 2 years old you shouldn't get another cat (they don't deal well with the adjustment).  Our cat was about 2 years 4 months when we got a kitten.  We also have a dog.  The big cat HATED the kitten, hissed, scratched, etc.  He also stopped using the litter box and went to the bathroom all over the apartment. He use to be very loving and he stopped coming near my husband and I.  He has since returned to normal and likes the kitten.  Our kitten would be devestated without him.

I defintely recommend the Tidy Cat Breezes Litter Box System.  (very low smell, no litter dust.)