We’d like to get another cat, but we hesitate from fear of things not working out. But most of the time, things will, when approached properly. Different cat scenarios require different approaches. In this four part series, I’ll cover the most common scenario: getting a kitten for a single, only, not-quite young, cat.
We get a cat. We like the cat. We want another cat.
But now we have a cat who has lived to this point as the only cat. Unless we have gotten the “only cat” warning when we adopted them as an adult, our cat might not have had any other cat experiences; but they also haven’t had any bad cat experiences, either.
So we know we can get them a Minion. Or two.
more animals
We simply match type to type: getting an Alpha an Alpha, a Beta another Beta, and our Gamma a kitten who will grow up to be Gamma. Gamma situations are especially likely to require two kittens, as Gammas are the first to lose energy as they get older.
We must remind them of the good side of this deal.
They are no longer lonely. Most cats do enjoy a companion. We just have to get them past their instinctive dislike of new cats sharing their space. It can take more time than we would like, but we have to remember it has far more of an impact on the cat’s life than ours. We should let them move at their own pace.
They can feel superior to the new goofballs. Don’t underestimate how much cats like to feel smarter and more cognizant of how things work in their house. They love to demonstrate this superior ability, and they bask in the hero worship younger cats have for such a Master.
They can dispatch messengers and delegate actions. As our cat ages, they can find their usual rounds of activity or responsibility are more difficult to complete to their satisfaction. How enjoyable to conserve their energy, and send their Minions to get us up for breakfast.
They have someone to play with, or someones to watch. Either way, it’s entertainment. We can get around the cat we think is too old, too low energy, or too challenged by getting two new cats. They can play with and deal with each other, and stay out of our present cat’s way. Once the cat observes the fun they are missing, they might make overtures to join in. If not, the kittens can play with each other.
Minions don’t have to be kittens. A cat up to the age of three is still young and eager to learn. An older companion simply needs to be of the same type, and can be a better fit for quieter, less energetic cats.
To make the Minion move work, the new cat does need to be younger. That way, they can model themselves after our older cat.
The cat they want to be when they grow up.
See the whole series, as I explain more ways to Minion success.
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There’s more about multiple cats in The Way of Cats than the article you are reading now. See more posts on the MULTIPLE CAT ADVANTAGE.
About Pamela
Through her amateur cat rescue, she cured problem cats and placed them in new homes. Learn to maximize cat enjoyment!
I’m really thinking about getting a third cat over the summer, so I look forward to the rest of your series!
My Killsy, a lazy girl, and Byron, a crazy boy, never did the Minion thing. Their personalities are a little bit too far apart. But they get along great, except when he wants to play and she wants to watch him play with something that isn’t her. There’s never more than a tussle, but I think it might be nice to let him have some other boy to wrestle with before he gets too old to do it.
What a wonderful idea. I think that would be a great addition to make everyone happier.