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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / December 2003

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Thinking of Getting a Fourth Cat

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The Avocado Avenger - 28 Dec 2003 01:10 GMT
 Well, my roomie and I are officially Crazy Cat People and already have
three cats, and are considering a fourth.  I was wondering what advice
those of you who have this many cats would give to us?  
 Our oldest cat is Spam, who we have had 11 years.  He's got some
neurological damage to his back legs, so he doesn't do the crazy running
around and jumping most cats do occasionally, but he's happy and the vet
says he's just fine.
 Our second oldest is Reggie, and he and Spam got along great for
years, except Spam can't play like Reggie wants.  So we got our third
cat Simon so Reggie would have a play pal.  
 It's worked out pretty good, except Simon used to pick on Spam a lot,
and even though he has stopped bullying, Simon and Spam just don't play
or snuggle or anything.  Reggie seems to be more interested in Simon as
well.  Spam seems left out.  Also Reggie has intermittent problems with
eating his own fur when he gets nervous.  (He was on amatryptiline for a
while but he's better on his own; a new cat may send him into relapse.)
 I'm not sure if a fourth cat would help even things out or make things
worse!
 But we went to donate items to the shelter today and found two great
cats.  One is Tuloos (I don't think the owners could spell) and he's
already fixed.  Such a sad cat, lonely and has been there two months
because his owners decided they wanted a puppy more than him.  The other
kitty is Moon, a golden cat who reminds me of a cat I used to own, such
a sweetie but not yet fixed.  My roomie is torn, he wants a fourth cat
but he's worried of all the work it will entail.
 I get so sad thinking of the shelter cats.  Some days I want to save
them all.  But I don't want to do something that won't work out for my
own cats either!
 So yeah.  I need advice.  Please! :)

Stacia
Gail - 28 Dec 2003 01:22 GMT
It's difficult to know in advance if a fourth cat will integrate well into
your household. Definitely, the newcomer should be neutered or spayed in
advance. Also, the newbie should be kept in his or her own room and very
slowly integrated. This is one of the keys. The newbie should have his own
bed, litter, food, and water in the room. Gradually, you can expose him to
the others under supervision. There will be hissing and some fighting, as
this is the way cats work things out and establish a pecking order. I just
added a kitten to my three other indoor cats. The benefits of a kitten is
that he is less threatening, however, he is very active and plays roughly
with my other females (ages 16, 14, and 5). Know in advance that it will
take time, patience, and some conflict. My kitten has been here for 2 months
and they are still working things out.
Gail

>   Well, my roomie and I are officially Crazy Cat People and already have
> three cats, and are considering a fourth.  I was wondering what advice
[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]
>
> Stacia
-L. - 28 Dec 2003 09:31 GMT
> Well, my roomie and I are officially Crazy Cat People and already have
> three cats, and are considering a fourth.  I was wondering what advice
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
> own cats either!
>   So yeah.  I need advice.  Please! :)

Nobody can make the decision except for you.  Personally, I would not
disrupt the dynamic with an elderly cat in the house.   I am also too
afraid of peeing wars.

-L.
Luvskats00 - 28 Dec 2003 14:17 GMT
I guess I'm the only one who always has cats who don't get along. <sigh
 
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