Getting a second cat to keep first cat entertained?

[Anonymous]

We did this and it ended up working out, but for the first few weeks I thought we had made a terrible mistake. They’re not best buddies, but they do seem to entertain each other and will occasionally even fall asleep in the same room. Our first cat wasn’t a biter, but she seemed kind of lonely and depressed and just sat in the same spot all day, every day. Second cat kind of sprang her back to life. She’s friskier and more energetic now. And we just love the second one so much, too. Their personalities are all so different, there’s no telling whether it would work or not. Fostering sounds like good testing ground.

[Anonymous]

Not a crazy idea. Do it slowly and gently. I have considered the sage, but I worry about my cat becoming stressed and peeing outside the box (PTSD from a prior cat!).

[Anonymous]

*same ^

[Anonymous]

Cats like solitude they are not lonely and depressed when you leave the house, they are completely content.

OP have you tried saying "no" when the cat bites you? Also it's a play bite I am sure, he's not drawing blood is he now?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not a crazy idea at all but it may take a good amount of time for the cats to gel with one another, and may not at all. Someone told us you need to do this within the first 2 years of a cats life, otherwise they are not likely to bond. So we did and the cats are bonded and we definitely saw a reduction in the biting/aggressiveness.

This is not true. I have 5 cats of different ages, introduced at different points in their lives, and they all get along fine. The PP who posted about slow, patient introductions gave great advice.

Cats, like dogs, like humans, are all individuals with different personalities. People who say all cats are a certain way don't know many cats. Some (not all) like solitude. Most (not all) are affectionate. Some will bond with a new cat, some won't.

OP, I think your plan is fine. The shelter I work with would allow you to "foster to adopt" to try out a new cat in your home. Sometimes we know if a cat has lived with other cats and we can often tell which ones don't really like other cats, so just be upfront about what you're looking for and a good shelter/rescue should be able to guide you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

There are lots of toys at the stores that will keep kitty engaged for a bit by himself - battery operated feather toys, or toys that push little plastic parts out of holes at random interviews, or that rotate laser beams. Our cats love them and we rotate them in and out so they don't get bored.

Do you have links to these toys?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Two years ago we adopted a cat who is now around 4. He’s very friendly and playful but also play-bites me for attention quite frequently to the point that I realized I’m starting to dread coming home. I’ve tried pushing him gently away and ignoring him when he bites, but that didn’t work. I’ve also tried spraying w water then eventually resorting to shaking a noisy coin can which works but is not a permanent solution. I also try playing w him before he bites to wear him out.

I’m thinking about fostering a cat to see how it affects his behavior, and if it helps, eventually adopting a second if we foster one that gels w the first. Is this a crazy idea?

We won’t re-home our cat. He’s a sweet, affectionate member of the family. But the biting for attention is really wearing on me.

If you introduce SLOOOOOOOWLY, I have never not had it work out. And two cats is a much better -and highly entertaining- scenario than a singleton.
There are plenty of resources but: Keep separate for at LEAST a week. Let them smell under a door. Swich places on either side so they get used to each others smell.
Then use a gate or screen so they can see each other but not harm. Feed them both near the gate/screen.
Then work up to supervised visits. Then longer visits.

There will likely be hissing, swatting, and maybe some bopping on the heads/smacking. As I said, I've never had it not work out. I'd suggest going a bit younger for the new addition - doesn't have to be a kitten. But, a 1-2 yo. ANd maybe opposite sex.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

There are lots of toys at the stores that will keep kitty engaged for a bit by himself - battery operated feather toys, or toys that push little plastic parts out of holes at random interviews, or that rotate laser beams. Our cats love them and we rotate them in and out so they don't get bored.

Do you have links to these toys?

They eventually bore of them. Ask me how I know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not a crazy idea at all but it may take a good amount of time for the cats to gel with one another, and may not at all. Someone told us you need to do this within the first 2 years of a cats life, otherwise they are not likely to bond. So we did and the cats are bonded and we definitely saw a reduction in the biting/aggressiveness.

This is not true. I have 5 cats of different ages, introduced at different points in their lives, and they all get along fine. The PP who posted about slow, patient introductions gave great advice.

Cats, like dogs, like humans, are all individuals with different personalities. People who say all cats are a certain way don't know many cats. Some (not all) like solitude. Most (not all) are affectionate. Some will bond with a new cat, some won't.

OP, I think your plan is fine. The shelter I work with would allow you to "foster to adopt" to try out a new cat in your home. Sometimes we know if a cat has lived with other cats and we can often tell which ones don't really like other cats, so just be upfront about what you're looking for and a good shelter/rescue should be able to guide you.

I'm almost 50 and have had cats for 40 of them. Always a mix of litters. I've never NOT had it work out if the introduction is done slowly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cats are territorial. They do not necessarily want friends. Fostering seems like a good idea to try it out.

False.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have three cats and they have a blast wrestling and playing. I used to have just one cat and now I don't think I'd ever go back to a one-cat situation again, seeing how much fun these guys have with each other.

So TL;DR: Yeah, go for it! You have to understand that cats are individuals and may not engage with each other exactly how you want or expect. But worst case scenario, nothing changes except you have two cats - and that's a pretty good scenario.

My 16 lb. bully House Panther acts like a kitten with the younger siblings we brought home for him. When they get the zoomies and wrestle, it's hysterical. He is sometimes a tad too rude with them, but he never hurts them. (And, I will break it up).

[Anonymous]

Not every cat wants a pal. We have a blue Russian who is very sweet but when we got a 2nd cat she turned into an absolute monster.

[Anonymous]

Work with a rescue who can help you match them - and will take the 2nd cat back without judgement if it doesn't work out after a couple months.

Had 1 cat for 16 years, adopted 2 (not siblings, but friends) the next time around. Having 2 cats is awesome if they get along.