I fully support rescue and adoption. There are too many cats and dogs in need of homes. However, you may want to rethink the reason for getting another cat.
Many people who have two cats, after one of their cats passes away, adopt another cat because they feel their remaining cat is lonely. This may bring about more grief and disappointment. The cats’ ages can affect how they interact with each other. The resident cat’s past exposure to other cats is also important to consider before introducing a new one.
When two cats are bonded, they sleep, groom, and eat together, and are frequently in the same room. Bonded cats feel safe together and like each other. The longer a cat has been with another cat and the older that cat is, the less likely that cat may be to accept a newcomer.
A common mistake is getting a very young cat or kitten when there is an elderly or older cat. A kitten will have far too much energy for a geriatric cat and, as that kitten ages, the kitten will become stronger. It is unlikely that an elderly cat will want to play and wrestle with a one-year-old male kitten.
There are no guarantees that animals will get along when bringing a new cat into the home. Many adult and geriatric cats are quite happy on their own with the humans and animals they already know. If you have an elderly cat, you may want to wait before adding another or consider adopting a bonded pair.
Read The Good Cat Parent’s Guide to Feline Behavior Modification for guidance on introducing cats and resolving inter-cat conflict.
Photos: L, © Fabio Lacerda; R, © River Kao
© 2019 Alana Stevenson. All rights reserved.
