New cat?

Hey all! Happy

Yesterday, one of my 2 cats died. Don't get me wrong, I really love my cats, but in a while we would really like a new cat. The cat left is a quite dominant male, the one that died was female, and the male one was fighting with her quite alot, but he can get on with other cats.

We were wondering, since we would like a new cat (female one though!), when is the right moment to do it? It's a bit early now, but if we wait a couple of weeks / months, he might not be used to sharing "his" house with other cats anymore. Anyone got an idea of what the right time is to get a new cat? Happy
Again, DON'T get me wrong! I loved that cat!

xx
(PS: sorry for my bad english,
and sorry if this is in the wrong place Tongue )

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6 replies since 4th June 2011 • Last reply 4th June 2011

Reply #1:

Firstly, I'm really sorry about your cat Happy
Secondly, were you thinking of getting a kitten or a fully grown cat? Either way slow exposure is probably more important that the timing. What I mean is having short amounts of times where the cats can interact (with your supervision) and slowly increasing the time until they get used to eachother. Definately don't leave them alone in a room together straight away, especially if your cat is the dominant type.
Have you thought about getting your male cat neutered (if he isn't already)? Just because I've always had male cats and find them a lot less aggressive after being neutered. Anytime we've brought a new kitten into the house we've slowly exposed it to the others and all my cats got along really well. Seeing the older cats taking care of the new kitten is the sweetest thing ever Happy You might even find your cat has the same paternal instinct over a new kitten, providing you introduce them to eachother slowly and watch them all the time.
Let me know how it goes! xx

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Reply #2:

A kitten for sure, he wouldn't want a fully grown cat. We were planning on just like having the kitten on a sort of trial, if they couldn't get on with eachother after 2 weeks or so, we'd stop it.
I wouldn't leave a kitten alone in a house like this anyway. My other cat who lives in this house isn't the only one coming over to eat and all :p (The cat of the neighbours is even defending our house). He is neutered already, we did it when he was reaaaally young so he has always been this way.
Have you ever had an older dominant male cat taking care of a kitten by the way? Happy Just wondering if it's possible haha.
Thanks for your advice!
xx

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Reply #3:

To be honest all of my cats have been really soppy but the parental instict might just kick in naturally if the cat doesn't see the other as a threat. A trial sounds like a good idea, hope it goes well! xx

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Reply #4:

Haha hope so too! Happy

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Reply #5:

Male cats, if they sense the presence of a female cat, will sometimes kill kittens as a way to be able to mate again. I don't know if this can still happen with a neutered cat, but it's very important that a new kitten be protected from the male cat until you see how they really interact with each other.

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Reply #6:

Hmyeah Happy I won't leave them alone, but won't get involved if everything goes right. I know my cat long enough to see if he's ok with something or absolutely not Happy Thanks for telling me though!

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