Kitty cat care

[_Dr. Shades]

We got a cat last Summer. We considered getting two from the same litter, but in the end I decided to get just one so that she would bond with us humans, not with the other cat.

Anyway, I'm wondering if this was a mistake. She's not a lap cat at all, rarely purrs, and can only be held for a short time before she bites.

We also worry whether or not she's lonely when everyone is gone either at work, school, or both. We wonder if it would be best to bring in another feline companion for when we're away.

I've done lots of looking around on the 'net, and the information is contradictory. Some sites say that cats are solitary by nature and don't need companions, others say that they're happier when they have a playmate while humans are away, others say that there's a good chance that they'll never like each other, etc. So, what do I do?

Any advice for me? Get another cat, or not?

[_Sam Harris]

We're getting a cat in a week or two. Where did you get the cat from? I heard on the news the other day that some shelters are starting to do sort of matching services for their cats to reduce the number of cats that are returned.

Perhaps your cat just doesn't like to be petted, but I don't think that there's anything wrong with that. Steve's parents have very quiet cats, and they're kind of particular about who they're around. The female hissed at me, but I didn't take it too personally.

If you get another cat, make sure that whoever you get the cat from knows that the new cat is friendly to other felines.

I don't want to cause more havoc at your house, but I think getting another cat is a good idea. From what I've heard, in the beginning there might be a bit of chasing and hissing, but that's kind of a getting to know you process, and shouldn't last more than a week or two. Perhaps a kitten?

[_Dr. Shades]

Where did you get the cat from?

My stepson's friend has a female cat who had kittens. Ours is one of them.

If you get another cat, make sure that whoever you get the cat from knows that the new cat is friendly to other felines.

Good advice. The problem is with how Kiki will react, since her feelings have to take precedence.

I don't want to cause more havoc at your house, but I think getting another cat is a good idea. From what I've heard, in the beginning there might be a bit of chasing and hissing, but that's kind of a getting to know you process, and shouldn't last more than a week or two. Perhaps a kitten?

It seems like KA went through that exact process recently. I was wondering if her experience was typical or atypical.

Thanks for your response. Anyone else?

[_Sam Harris]

Get Kiki a dog. *grin*

Do you bathe your cat? I have friends who bathed theirs, and they didn't put up too much resistance. I want to be able to bathe mine or take it to be groomed every now and then, but I don't want to traumatize the cat.

Here's a funny link:

http://dbhs.wvusd.k12.ca.us/webdocs/Hum ... -Bath.html

[_Dr. Shades]

Get Kiki a dog. *grin*

Then we'd have to walk back and forth to let it into the backyard multiple times per day. With Kiki, I just have to clean up a litterbox.

Do you bathe your cat?

My stepson does. She won't stay still long enough for anyone else to do so.

[_Seven]

Hi Dr. Shades,

You don't need to worry about the cats not liking each other long term. I have owned all kinds of cats (outdoor, indoor, different breeds, etc.) and have never once had a cat hate the other for more than a month.

Personalities come into play with much of their behavior. Some of my cats never leave the other's side, while other ones are very independent. It won't hurt to get another cat if you are worried about lack of companionship. At first they will hiss for a few weeks (possibly fight but that's more rare) over their territory, but eventually you will find them snuggled up together on a pillow.

I have had several cats (no longer living) that acted like dogs and were my constant companions. When I would drive home from work, my cats would see my car on the road, jet across the property and greet me at the bottom of the driveway. When I would open my door they would be rolling on the ground over and over purring.

I have had other cats that didn't require much affection and were happier hunting and running free outside.

[_Jason Bourne]

We got a cat last Summer. We considered getting two from the same litter, but in the end I decided to get just one so that she would bond with us humans, not with the other cat.

Anyway, I'm wondering if this was a mistake. She's not a lap cat at all, rarely purrs, and can only be held for a short time before she bites.

We also worry whether or not she's lonely when everyone is gone either at work, school, or both. We wonder if it would be best to bring in another feline companion for when we're away.

I've done lots of looking around on the 'net, and the information is contradictory. Some sites say that cats are solitary by nature and don't need companions, others say that they're happier when they have a playmate while humans are away, others say that there's a good chance that they'll never like each other, etc. So, what do I do?

Any advice for me? Get another cat, or not?

How old is the cat? I doubt it will bond with another now unless it is really a friendly cat which it sounds like it is now. Getting two at the start would have been better. But cats do their thing. We got two, a brother and sister. The male is wonderfully friendly. His sister is not at all at least with humans. But she gets along great with her brother.

[_TygerFang]

We got a cat last Summer. We considered getting two from the same litter, but in the end I decided to get just one so that she would bond with us humans, not with the other cat.

Anyway, I'm wondering if this was a mistake. She's not a lap cat at all, rarely purrs, and can only be held for a short time before she bites.

We also worry whether or not she's lonely when everyone is gone either at work, school, or both. We wonder if it would be best to bring in another feline companion for when we're away.

I've done lots of looking around on the 'net, and the information is contradictory. Some sites say that cats are solitary by nature and don't need companions, others say that they're happier when they have a playmate while humans are away, others say that there's a good chance that they'll never like each other, etc. So, what do I do?

Any advice for me? Get another cat, or not?

How old is the cat? I doubt it will bond with another now unless it is really a friendly cat which it sounds like it is now. Getting two at the start would have been better. But cats do their thing. We got two, a brother and sister. The male is wonderfully friendly. His sister is not at all at least with humans. But she gets along great with her brother.

Actually I have a cat that's well into an adulthood and I also got a kitten (which is mine personally not a family pet) It took him about 2 months but now he even plays with my kitten and lets her chase his tail. He's also the most territorial cat I've ever seen (he still attacks any neighbor cats no matter how long they are around him) so he's not really that 'friendly' at least to other cats.

[_Dr. Shades]

ou don't need to worry about the cats not liking each other long term. I have owned all kinds of cats (outdoor, indoor, different breeds, etc.) and have never once had a cat hate the other for more than a month. . . At first they will hiss for a few weeks (possibly fight but that's more rare) over their territory, but eventually you will find them snuggled up together on a pillow.

That's good news. KA described the same thing, so it looks like her experience is the norm.

How old is the cat?

A little less than a year. 10 months or so, I think.

I doubt it will bond with another now unless it is really a friendly cat which it sounds like it is now.

Does your final "now" = "not?"

Getting two at the start would have been better. But cats do their thing. We got two, a brother and sister. The male is wonderfully friendly. His sister is not at all at least with humans. But she gets along great with her brother.

I just barely found out that male cats are friendlier than female cats. When we chose ours, I thought it was the exact opposite.

We love her, but it's still a bummer.

[_truth dancer]

I currently only have one cat Chloe but in the past I have had two and never had a problem bringing a new cat into the picture.

Some cats seem to be more independent and/or less affectionate than others.

One tip that may help your cat become more personable is to play with her....a lot. Young cats seem to thrive on play so rather than try to pet and cuddle her try playing. I think the more the cat sees humans as playful friends the more they warm up to them.

A ten month old cat can hardly resists a string being pulled across the floor! LOL!

If she sees you as her playmate she is more likely to become more friendly.

Also some cats like to "rough house." If Kiki is biting it may be she is needing to play a little rough, like kittens in the wild do with each other. I think it is instinctual and very satisfying for kittens.

The thing with cats, you have to meet them on their terms at first.

~dancer~