My five year old pound kitty always used to go out, but since our move it’s not safe. He does not seem terribly unhappy but he does demand to go outside on a regular basis and has begun using me a playmate far more often…grabbing my feet as I walk by, chasing after me, etc. Would getting another cat be a good idea? Help! I want to keep Jack happy…he has been a great kitty so far and I am scared to mess it up.
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Dear Reader,
I agreed that a new cat would be just the thing to keep Jack from being lonely and bored without the outdoors. It’s not a matter of age or energy; young or old cats will miss a source of exercise and amusement they are used to, no matter how they use it. Getting them a cat friend to play with can be an excellent substitute.
Some considerations:
Boy or girl? As long as both cats are altered when young, this is a non-issue. A lot of well-meant advice, such as getting the opposite sex of what we have now, or or generalizations about boys being more likely to roam, or girls being more territorial, come from people trying to cope with unaltered cats. Early altering takes these behaviors out of the picture.
Kitten or cat? That depends on the present cat’s needs. If they are a high energy cat, a kitten or young adult will offer equal interest and stamina. Quiet or older cats can be open to a cat friend, but they would need a cat closer to their own energy level so they will not be harassed by play invitations and pestered to do things that do not interest them.
Does the breed matter? If we have already have a breed we are fond of, we can be drawn to getting another. But if our cat is older, we should think carefully about getting an older breed rescue instead of a kitten. Otherwise, the energy mismatch can make the older cat annoyed, and the younger cat frustrated. Even if what we have now is a mixed breed, there are traits that make them distinctive, and these are what we should look for in the new addition.
Always be aware that getting another purebed does not guarantee compatibility, any more than choosing siblings or same sex cats will.
But no matter how we choose, we should try to match type to type, manage the introductions, and follow these tips:
The new cat is Jack’s cat. Introduce them that way, refer to them that way, and when we make a fuss over them, it’s with Jack’s name being repeated often. That way the new cat will associate good things with Jack. This allows Jack to feel privileged and special to offset the inevitable (both good and bad) extra attention his new friend is bound to get.
Tell good playing from bad playing with our ears. An occasional vocalization means “uncle!” and lets the other cat know they are getting too rough. But for the most part, silent play is happy play.
Be the Boss of Cat Town. Even with good choosing and happy cats, we should still be aware of the need for policing the situation should problems arise. We should never feel we have to leave an unsatisfactory social situation “up to the cats.” If either cat is being too insistent about getting their own way, it is up to us to step in and make sure everyone’s needs are being respected, and see if anyone’s wants might be met some other way.
I am happy to report that Jack did get a new kitten from the shelter (since Jack was high energy, and looking for more play) and he and Isaac are getting along wonderfully. I love a happy ending!
It can be a tough task to retrain a cat from outdoors to indoors.
Having a friend, both for us and for our cat, can make this task much lighter.
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There’s more to choosing a cat with The Way of Cats than the article you are reading now. See my CHOOSING A CAT.
This is wonderful information. I have always wondered what I would do if I had to move somewhere where my cats would have to stay inside. I would imagine it would be a really hard thing to do. I was glad to hear that getting a kitten helped that cat.
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