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New cat or not?

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jamina1 - 02 Jul 2009 06:24 GMT
Hello!
Recently in March my cat Sylvanas passed away. At that time, my other
cat, Pagan, had been in the house for about 7 months, and they were
finally starting to get along and play with each other instead of just
giving each other dirty looks. They were even sharing the bed with me
at night (both of them!)

Since Sylvanas left us, Pagan has transformed into a completely
different cat. She is loving, affectionate, and overall much more
needy of attention then she was before. In fact, its gotten to the
point that I am worried for her mental health when I am at work for
extended hours. She never used to demand so much attention, but now
when I get home she is at the door waiting to see me and rolling over
on the floor begging to be pet. I always give her the most attention
possible when at home and she loves keeping me company while I am on
my computer and she sleeps with me every night.

I'm contemplating bringing home a new companion for her - since she
was the companion to solve the problem of Sylvanas being alone all day
while I was at work. That worked out well until Sylvanas became ill
and passed.

Am I making up my worry for Pagan's mental well being, or should I aim
to give her someone to "talk to" and play with when I am not home?
Bill Graham - 03 Jul 2009 01:59 GMT
> Hello!
> Recently in March my cat Sylvanas passed away. At that time, my other
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
> Am I making up my worry for Pagan's mental well being, or should I aim
> to give her someone to "talk to" and play with when I am not home?

Well, if it were me, I'd certainly get another cat. But then, I already have
5 cats, so that's no surprise. When you get another cat, you never know in
advance how it will get along with the cat you now have. I find that males
are less territorial than females, however, (even when neutered) so my
advice is to get a male to maximize your chances of having no conflicts. And
try to find one that is approximately the same age as the one you now have.
Stan Brown - 03 Jul 2009 13:43 GMT
Thu, 2 Jul 2009 17:59:18 -0700 from Bill Graham <weg9@comcast.net>:
> Well, if it were me, I'd certainly get another cat. But then, I
> already have 5 cats, so that's no surprise. When you get another
> cat, you never know in advance how it will get along with the cat
> you now have.

I don't know that cats get lonely in the way that people or dogs do,
because cats are not naturally pack animals.

Particularly when a cat that has been a household's only cat since it
was a kitten, it might be perfectly content that way and would regard
another cat as an unwelcome intrusion, not a companion.  I don't
think there's any reliable way to know in advance.

Signature

Stan Brown, Oak Road Systems, Tompkins County, New York, USA
                                  http://OakRoadSystems.com
Shikata ga nai...

Bill Graham - 03 Jul 2009 19:50 GMT
> Thu, 2 Jul 2009 17:59:18 -0700 from Bill Graham <weg9@comcast.net>:
>> Well, if it were me, I'd certainly get another cat. But then, I
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> another cat as an unwelcome intrusion, not a companion.  I don't
> think there's any reliable way to know in advance.

Very true.but you can maximize your chances of success. If the cat you have
is fairly young (less than 5 years old) that's a plus, and if you get a male
that is also young, then you will have a good chance that they will get
along and learn to play together. Old females that are used to being the
only cat in the house are the hardest to find companions for.
Edward A. Falk - 07 Jul 2009 22:27 GMT
Also, my experience has been that kittens get special dispensation --
the only time I've had trouble introducing a kitten was when it was the
kitten that wouldn't accept the presense of the older cats.  The kitten
in that case was unusually anti-social.
Signature

    -Ed Falk, falk@despams.r.us.com
    http://thespamdiaries.blogspot.com/

Spider - 04 Jul 2009 11:50 GMT
> Hello!
> Recently in March my cat Sylvanas passed away. At that time, my other
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
> Am I making up my worry for Pagan's mental well being, or should I aim
> to give her someone to "talk to" and play with when I am not home?

Hi Jamina,

The decision is finally yours, but I would agree with Bill that a young male
cat would get along better with your female than another female.  I'm
speaking as someone who has 'brought up' two female cats from kittenhood to
5 years old.  Even now, tempers are occasionally frayed and my Panther gains
another stripe down her nose!  They are now manageable, but it's taken a lot
a training and patience.  If you are out at work, you don't want to be
worrying about your cats fighting.  Believe me, females are very aggressive
fighters and they don't seem to know when to stop!

You may still have some problems with a male kitty, but I think that will
sort itself out sooner.  Pagan has become used to having you all to herself,
so you'll have to be very sensitive to her needs.  She should become your
top cat, so that you always put her dinner down first (only by seconds), and
most other treatments first.  This will tell your new puss who is boss -
after you, of course!  I guess if Pagan is top cat, that makes you Officer
Dibble! :~).

I believe cats do grieve and miss their companion, so Pagan should
(eventually) welcome a new friend.  Take it gently.

Good luck.
Spider
 
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