The DU Lounge

grasswire

(50,130 posts) Thu Jan 21, 2016, 10:32 PM Jan 2016

Follow up on new kitty

Thanks to all of you who in December suggested names for my new kitty Noel.

She is a sweet, sweet cat. Eight years old, recently spayed at the shelter, so obviously has had litters. She came to the shelter with four others; the owner had lost his job and couldn't keep them. I wish so much I had then asked if the others were available, and picked one to bring home with her.

Because......I think she is lonesome for them. She's restless at times, despite a wonderful picture window that looks out on birds and squirrels and a river and boats.

And so I am going to get her a companion, and am here to ask your advice on gender and age. I have taken in family members' cats in the past that HATED each other and don't want to go through that again.

My hunch is that a slightly younger sociable female might work. A kitten might work; she could mother it. But I really would rather give another older "used" cat a home.

Any thoughts?

13 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Follow up on new kitty (Original Post) grasswire Jan 2016 OP

Two kittens could be even better. 3catwoman3 Jan 2016 #1

i've found that opposite-sex kittehs get along better fizzgig Jan 2016 #2

good advice, thanks grasswire Jan 2016 #7

i've never had an orange boy cat fizzgig Jan 2016 #9

what a noble face grasswire Jan 2016 #10

We've had great luck with only boy kitties. we can do it Jan 2016 #13

I thought we had a rule about threads mackerel Jan 2016 #3

link to original thread with photos grasswire Jan 2016 #6

Have you checked to make sure her former companions are gone from the shelter? Arugula Latte Jan 2016 #4

it has been six weeks or so grasswire Jan 2016 #5

Sometmes the older ones take awhile to get adopted though. Arugula Latte Jan 2016 #8

yep, I will try grasswire Jan 2016 #11

we have 5 cats. 2 sisters hubby rescued from metal recycling. 3 were feral kittens we adopted trueblue2007 Jan 2016 #12

3catwoman3

(24,072 posts)

1. Two kittens could be even better.

Reply to grasswire (Original post)

Thu Jan 21, 2016, 11:27 PM

Jan 2016

They would entertain each other while Noel got used to them.

Or, the shelter personnel might very likely have suggestions on which kitties are mellow personalities and get along well with other cats already there. We have introduced many cats to our multi-cat household over many years, and fortunately, they have always worked it out. Some good luck, I guess.

fizzgig

(24,146 posts)

2. i've found that opposite-sex kittehs get along better

Reply to grasswire (Original post)

Fri Jan 22, 2016, 01:15 AM

Jan 2016

having two cats of the same sex leads to more pissing contests, at least in my experience.

i think a kitten or juvenile might be good for her if she's restless, but the question is how tolerant you think she'll be. the dim one was close to 14 when we lost fat cat and, although dim one is still quite active and playful, we knew a kitten wasn't the right fit for her. we brought home a middle-aged boy and it's damned near perfect.

i demand pics as soon as you bring the new monster home!

grasswire

(50,130 posts)

7. good advice, thanks

Reply to fizzgig (Reply #2)

Fri Jan 22, 2016, 02:13 AM

Jan 2016

We may watch for a middle-aged boy. We do dearly love orange boy cats.

fizzgig

(24,146 posts)

9. i've never had an orange boy cat

Reply to grasswire (Reply #7)

Fri Jan 22, 2016, 02:41 AM

Jan 2016

but i'm pretty sure you know i love me some meezer boys

grasswire

(50,130 posts)

10. what a noble face

Reply to fizzgig (Reply #9)

Fri Jan 22, 2016, 02:57 AM

Jan 2016

...and so plushy!

we can do it

(12,205 posts)

13. We've had great luck with only boy kitties.

Reply to fizzgig (Reply #2)

Fri Jan 22, 2016, 01:41 PM

Jan 2016

mackerel

(4,412 posts)

3. I thought we had a rule about threads

Reply to grasswire (Original post)

Fri Jan 22, 2016, 01:27 AM

Jan 2016

with kitty talk? There must be pics!!!!!

grasswire

(50,130 posts)

6. link to original thread with photos

Reply to mackerel (Reply #3)

Fri Jan 22, 2016, 02:11 AM

Jan 2016

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018826042

Arugula Latte

(50,566 posts)

4. Have you checked to make sure her former companions are gone from the shelter?

Reply to grasswire (Original post)

Fri Jan 22, 2016, 01:43 AM

Jan 2016

Maybe there is still one there?

grasswire

(50,130 posts)

5. it has been six weeks or so

Reply to Arugula Latte (Reply #4)

Fri Jan 22, 2016, 02:07 AM

Jan 2016

...and turnover is pretty high there. I might call just to see. That would be really sweet.

Usually when bonded cats come in, they identify them as such and don't split them up. But that's usually a pair, not FIVE.