Would like to add another cat to our household

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Vickyr1804
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Would like to add another cat to our household

Post by Vickyr1804 »

Hello,

We currently have a 13 year old neutered male cat.

We would like to add another cat to our family.

We have a one year old our currently cat doesn’t really like so would love a kitten to play with our son.

We are not sure if we would be better with a boy or girl?

I’ve done a lot of reading on introductions etc

Thank you

Vicky
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Kay
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Re: Would like to add another cat to our household

Post by Kay »

personally I wouldn't bring a kitten in if you have a one year old - kittens scratch and bite when they play, until they learn to keep their claws in, and your son is too young to understand the boundaries himself

I would look for a cat over a year old which has already shown it can cope with a boisterous toddler - the sex matters less than the temperament of the cat
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Lilith
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Re: Would like to add another cat to our household

Post by Lilith »

Hi Vicky and welcome :)

I agree with Kay, but would like to add that, if your cat doesn't like your son, and is obviously used to being the only cat in the house, at 13 he may not take to another kitten or cat; on top of the baby this could stress him - and you clearly have your hands full to begin with.

I know it's hard, but personally I'd wait a few years. As your little boy grows, he'll change, he may be interested in cats, he may only be interested in computers or art or sport ... At his time of life, a toy kitten may be just as much fun as the real thing - and you don't have to bother socialising it with the real cat - you can just throw it in the toy box at bedtime or tuck it up with the child.

I feel that when children get to 7 or 8 onwards, and express a genuine desire (not as a flash in the pan novelty) for a kitten or puppy, and begin to understand the care needed for it, that can be an ideal time to introduce a new pet - but still with parental supervision every inch of the way and a commitment to the animal if the child loses interest.

Sorry to sound so off-putting. I realise you'd like your child to have a cat companion but under the circumstances I really feel it might be too early at the moment and stress the older cat, which can lead to problems such as wetting in the house etc - which is something you really don't want to deal with, especially with a toddler about.

With best wishes for the future and hoping your little boy and your present cat can become friends once your boy's out of the baby stage - that too is a possibility; many teenage cats are very playful :)
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Janey
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Re: Would like to add another cat to our household

Post by Janey »

Lilith wrote:

I agree with Kay, but would like to add that, if your cat doesn’t like your son, and is obviously used to being the only cat in the house, at 13 he may not take to another kitten or cat; on top of the baby this could stress him - and you clearly have your hands full to begin with.
Hi Vicky, welcome. I totally agree with what Lilith says here. The last you want is to stress your current elderly cat out even more, which bringing a kitten in, or another cat could do. Some cats just don’t like other cats, I have one that’s not that keen and although I would love to adopt another cat, an elderly one, we always had two, I think it will have to wait.
Lilith wrote: With best wishes for the future and hoping your little boy and your present cat can become friends once your boy’s out of the baby stage - that too is a possibility; many teenage cats are very playful :)
Fingers crossed for that too here :)
Vickyr1804
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Re: Would like to add another cat to our household

Post by Vickyr1804 »

Thank you

At the moment it had just been an inital thought.

My son can enjoy playing with Grandmas and aunties dogs when hes there instead.
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Lilith
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Re: Would like to add another cat to our household

Post by Lilith »

Aww that's good, and the perfect compromise, to 'borrow' a pet to play with without your having to settle a new cat in to your household. It sounds like he's going to grow up an animal lover anyway :)
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