[Treaclesmum]

I thought it would be a good idea to have a thread to help people decide when or if they would be ready to add to their existing cat family!!

I would love to add another cat, but have decided to do 3 things first:

1) Ensure my garden is cat proof.
2) Get a better job so I could afford to buy a nice place for them if necessary (as I live with parents) and afford to insure a 3rd cat.
3) Wait until my current 2 are both fully grown and Jumpy fully recovered from the operation on his spine.

Then, maybe next year, if and when all these things are done, another cat might be possible!!

:001_smile:

 

[smiler84]

good idea!!

i think the decision needs to be based on quite a few things; your existing cats, your circumstances (ie if you're aware there's a big change coming up in your life then it might not be the right time), finances, if you've got the time and space, and probably many more things!

i know that circumstances sometimes change unexpectedly, but by thinking carefully and realistically about your situation then it's more likely to be a good experience rather than a nightmare.

head over heart on this one for me!

 

[JordanRose]

I would LOVE another kitty!! I have to think about these points, though:

1) Which breed would be the best temperament for Spooks (I found out today that he was living with other Siamese before, which stressed him out an awful lot!)

2) Would I have the money and space for another cat? Really, I'd be better off waiting until I move out and have a steady income coming in before adding to the furry family.

3) Once I have decided on a breed (I'd love another rescue, but in Spooks' case, I would rather have an idea about temperament), would a kitten or older cat be better?

4) Finally, I would have to do lots of research about cat intros, and have a potential back up plan should it all go horribly wrong, given Spooks' background...

 

[MollyMilo]

I am waiting for two things...

Molly and Milo to be 2 yrs old

Rosie or Mai Tai to produce a seal point boy

Siamese are addictive

 

[MollyMilo]

I would LOVE another kitty!! I have to think about these points, though:

1) Which breed would be the best temperament for Spooks (I found out today that he was living with other Siamese before, which stressed him out an awful lot!)

2) Would I have the money and space for another cat? Really, I'd be better off waiting until I move out and have a steady income coming in before adding to the furry family.

3) Once I have decided on a breed (I'd love another rescue, but in Spooks' case, I would rather have an idea about temperament), would a kitten or older cat be better?

4) Finally, I would have to do lots of research about cat intros, and have a potential back up plan should it all go horribly wrong, given Spooks' background...

What! how many did he live with, was it a breeder?

 

[JordanRose]

What! how many did he live with, was it a breeder?

I know, it's a shame isn't it? I assumed he was with moggies or 'non-pointies' but I had a look at his records today and he was living with two other Meezers (I don't know their sexes). His past owner was a single lady, who has pets only, as far as I know. Spooks was certainly already neutered on admission to the shelter.

I think a quiet, less demanding breed would be better for him, should I decide to get another. It's a difficult one to weigh up, though, whether he'd take to another cat at all. Hard to say when I've not seen him interact with other kitties...

 

[lymorelynn]

I am waiting for two things...

Molly and Milo to be 2 yrs old

Rosie or Mai Tai to produce a seal point boy

Siamese are addictive

I'll have to start looking for a different stud then
Before adding any more to my household I'm waiting for my DH to go (not really but he thinks we don't have enough room for anymore )

 

[MollyMilo]

I know, it's a shame isn't it? I assumed he was with moggies or 'non-pointies' but I had a look at his records today and he was living with two other Meezers (I don't know their sexes). His past owner was a single lady, who has pets only, as far as I know. Spooks was certainly already neutered on admission to the shelter.

I think a quiet, less demanding breed would be better for him, should I decide to get another. It's a difficult one to weigh up, though, whether he'd take to another cat at all. Hard to say when I've not seen him interact with other kitties...

Things must have been so bad between the meezers that she felt there was nothing else to do but rehome spooks.
Maybe as he is established now and feels secure adding a tiny kitten might work out with careful introduction.

 

[JordanRose]

Things must have been so bad between the meezers that she felt there was nothing else to do but rehome spooks.
Maybe as he is established now and feels secure adding a tiny kitten might work out with careful introduction.

He wasn't in a good way at all when he came in, bless him. He had several bald spots where he'd been fur plucking and was very thin as he'd apparently (as written in his notes) 'gone off his food'. He was very timid, too, and was clearly an unhappy chap It must have been very difficult for her to give the wonderful little man up!

It sounds as though he's been bullied, which has led to stress, so like you say with him being an established cat he may tolerate a kitten a little better. I'm trying to research it as much as possible

 

[Britishshorthairbabies]

I am adding another cat because:

1, my jeanie was never supposed to be an only cat.* We lost his step litter brother to fip after a few weeks.
2, jeanie is still under a year old so is not a dominant male yet and introduction should be smoother.
3, our family have enough room in our hearts for a new baby not a replacement.

*- jeanie is in rude health, has been checked out by the vets, is thriving and healthy. Weighs nearly 3kilos and is only 25 weeks old.

 

[nicolaa123]

Its always been plan here to get another until rileys problems started!! I could not get another until I get his ibd under control due to the food issue as it would not be fair on him..and I love my riley so he has to be priority..maybe one day I will get my snowshoe..until then I just love riley twice as much

 

[Jonescat]

My questions after the ones already mentioned are:

Have I got the patience to do the introductions at the cat's pace, and not to get bored at day three and just throw all the doors open?

If it is a kitten, have I got the patience and time to continue its socialisation and iron out all the bits that aren't quite perfect yet so that we can live happily together for the rest of its life?

Am I registered with a vet, do I have the emergency number, and am I prepared to use it? Will I take this cat to the vet before I introduce it to my existing cats?

Why do I want this cat? Do my existing cats want this cat?

What will I do if this cat, that I want so much, doesn't fit in with the others?

What will I do if my new cat actually prefers the OH?

Do I mind if there is never any space on the sofa for me?

How many litter trays can i fit in my house without breaking my neck, if this one won't share either?

Could four cats standing on top of each other reach as far as the skylight?