Bringing a new cat into current cat's home??

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Chris H - 19 Dec 2004 23:41 GMT

I've got Dusty, a 5 year old fixed, declawed male part maine-coone/shorthair
who doesn't take to strangers (humans, especially small kids) but likes to
look through the window at other cats and yard varmints. He's an in & out
cat and is very "wary" i.e. stays in the bushes, won't come over to anyone
on the sidewalk, watches out for cars, is alarmed at sharp noises, etc.
What would happen if we were to introduce another cat in his household?
Maybe a kitten?
Would he freak out and hide only to come out to eat? Would he be
permanently pissed-off at us??
Would he kill the kitten when we weren't around? Would he pee all over the
house?? He has only connected with me, my wife and 13yo daughter and seems
to enjoy his freedom both indoors and outdoors. We were wondering if we
could someday get another cat in hopes of giving Dusty a companion and
another pet around the house.
Any thoughts???

Chris

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Gee - 20 Dec 2004 00:48 GMT

> I've got Dusty, a 5 year old fixed, declawed male

I do hope it wasn;t your choice to declaw him. I hope that you are aware of
all the dangers of declawing a cat.

> part maine-coone/shorthair
> who doesn't take to strangers (humans, especially small kids) but likes to
> look through the window at other cats and yard varmints. He's an in & out
> cat and is very "wary" i.e. stays in the bushes, won't come over to anyone
> on the sidewalk, watches out for cars, is alarmed at sharp noises, etc.

> What would happen if we were to introduce another cat in his household?
> Maybe a kitten?

Definitly kitten if he's so scared. The kitten will win him over, dont
worry. But you must make sure you keep them both in together untill they are
completely used to each other, or he may leave the house and not return. It
wont tatke more then 2 weeks.

> Would he freak out and hide only to come out to eat?

Maybe for a day or 2. But he will accept a kitten.

> Would he be permanently pissed-off at us??

No.

> Would he kill the kitten when we weren't around?

No. Cats don;t kill the young. It might give it a lil smack or growl a bit,
dont worry about it and let them get on with it.

> Would he pee all over the house??

Only if he's stressed or ill. When the kitten comes you must make sure you
create a positive association with it by giving your cat lots of treasts and
scratches and reassurance when kitten is present. NEVER yell or God forbid
hit an animal. Once positive association is created I dont see a problem. My
SHadow who is also quite scared of everything had to get used to 5 other
cats adn always at first hissed and smacked a lot. But she got still
accepted them within 3 weeks, once she established she is the boss :)

.>He has only connected with me, my wife and 13yo daughter and seems

> to enjoy his freedom both indoors and outdoors. We were wondering if we
> could someday get another cat in hopes of giving Dusty a companion and
> another pet around the house.

Always a good idea. Get a kitten cos they get used to them quicker. Please
don;t declaw the new cat, but do cut its nails regularely so it doesn;t hurt
the adult one when they playfighting

Gee.

> Any thoughts???
>
> Chris

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Chris H. - 22 Dec 2004 01:14 GMT

Yes, it was mine and my wife's idea to declaw him. It was either that or
having to buy a new $2000 leather couch and chair. I was very hesitant at
first, but he's fine and his behavior hasn't changed. I make sure the back
claws are trimmed but he's still left a few scratch marks in our new
couches. I'd hate to see what they'd look like if he still had his front
claws. He can still climb a tree like a squirrel if he has to, but he stays
in mostly due to a recurring eye infection that we've been fighting for a
year.
After dropping >$1000 on his eye problem, I'm not too sure I want to take on
more burden by getting a new kitten.

C.H.

> > I've got Dusty, a 5 year old fixed, declawed male
>
[quoted text clipped - 52 lines]
> >
> > Chris

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Gee - 22 Dec 2004 03:11 GMT

> Yes, it was mine and my wife's idea to declaw him. It was either that or
> having to buy a new $2000 leather couch and chair. I was very hesitant at
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> After dropping >$1000 on his eye problem, I'm not too sure I want to take on
> more burden by getting a new kitten.

I will agree with you. A second cat will mean a lot of extra cost and who
is to say the cats would get on. It would definitely be a further burden on
you. Also its not fair on another cat to be declawed so its best for
everyone really.

I am sorry that you have decided to declaw your cat. Putting the furniture
before my pet is something I'd never even consider.To me, furniture is just
that, a peace of replaceable necessity. My pets are my babies and
irreplaceable should something happen. I lost my QT to the road. I'd much
rather have lost ALL my furniture, record and CD collection, HI if system,
even house, then him. Cos he was my baby.

I deeply hope that your cat will be one of the not many lucky ones who have
not suffered various permanent damage resulting from declawing. Because
people often don;t realise just how much our pets mean to us until we loose
them. And how much guilt you may feel if the problems are caused by your
decision to declaw. But its too late now, whats done is done.I'm surprised
declawing is still legal in your area.Perhaps in the future you may want to
consider another type of pet which will not disturb your furniture.

My cats never scratched my sofas. Perhaps because they have 3 scratching
posts around. But they do tend to scratch the record covers. Oh well. So
what. Their happiness is much more important.

Gee

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