Cate in NZ Posted November 25, 2005 Share Posted November 25, 2005 I'm hoping that some of you out there might be able to give me a bit of advice. We own a cat, Roger, who we got from the Cats Protection League about a year ago. He had obviously been ill-treated, & is still inclined to be a bit nervous, especially around men. But he's a gorgeous boy, about 4 years old now, & very well settled into the family. Now Imy's best friends cat has had kittens, yesterday, & Imy has already been to see them, unsurprisingly she reports back that they're cute & lovely and all that.... and she's been offered the pick of the litter. My gut reaction is to say a very firm "no", I don't want to put Rogers nose out of joint, and I'm not convinced that he, or I, could cope with a kitten, no matter how cute or cuddly. However, it seems like I'm now in a minority of 1, with children pointing out that I got my own way about chickens, so now I should think about them, Imy is outside now in freezing cold dusk, cleaning out Eglu's & rabbit cage to demonstrate how much she cares for the animals, Roger's already been fed twice..... and she only got home from school at 3:40 So, what are the facts, is Roger likely to enjoy the company of a kitten, or will it cause grief? What do you all think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted November 25, 2005 Share Posted November 25, 2005 It depends on the cats Kate. I have had loads over the years and some like the two boys I have now get on well while one of them Charley I have had for 13 years hates everything (including me) and just hisses at the boys and whacks poor tink whenever she gets the chance. Tink stays away from her where he can. I swore when Bart died I would not get another cat but Tink needed a buddy he was so miserable on his own so I got Chips as a kitten Tink was 2. He did the usual and ignored and was a bit mean to the kitten but he soon came round he is a buddy cat and they are best friends now. Tink is nervous of people outside but is fine with strangers in the house. Usually they react to a new animal in the place as their nose is out of joint but my experience is that they soon get over it and either become friends or stay away from each other but not the humans unless they didn't like them before (like my girl). Make sure you give him as much fuss and attention as the kitten and you will see that he may start to play with it when you are not about and ignore it when you are there I have also found that boys get on better together (once they have had their pockets picked) than girls but others may have found differently. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 25, 2005 Share Posted November 25, 2005 In my experience neutered males make the loveliest pet cats and are generally very sweet natured. Females are more aloof and may be aggressive. Roger may respond well to a little one to look after, but only you can judge really. Would it be possible to do a 'sale or return' deal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Nurse Posted November 25, 2005 Share Posted November 25, 2005 "once they have had their pockets picked"..... That made me snigger! I seem to remember referring to my cat as 'having had her boiler out' when she had the female equivalent...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Jefe Posted November 25, 2005 Share Posted November 25, 2005 Just to be different I have always found older male cats to get on better with a female - Sorry, that doesn't really help does it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lera Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 It really does depend on the cat's personality. My neutered male cat Jasper was almost instantly thrilled to have a companion in his old age, after having been a single cat since his youth, but I've heard of others who find it a bit more challenging. I find the Cat Health community on livejournal is generally supportive. It has an archive of memories on introducing cats which might be worth a look. (edited to fix hyperlinks - I always forget its not ordinary html round here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted November 26, 2005 Author Share Posted November 26, 2005 Thanks for all the replies and advice. I'll be having a prpoer look at Livejournal later, that looks like a really useful link. I'm still undecided, but quite tempted, especially if there's a chance that Roger might actually quite like a companion. Fortunately the kittens were only born on thursday, so I've got several weeks to think about it before they're old enough to be seperated from their Mum. Lera I only found the hyperlink to your photo almost by accident, but Jasper & his friend are gorgeous. Very wise eyes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leanne Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 my two older cats(only 18mths old even now) are brother and sister. In june Millie had 3 kittens which we have kept. the first six weeks I kept the kittens in the front room for safety as i have two large clumsy dogs and Millie was in there for feeding etc and Finbarr would occasionally go in. His eyes were like saucers the first time he saw them, he shiffed around them, became very alarmed and fled the room!. We made a point of bringing him in occasionally and he was absolutely terrified of them (big wus!) at first he would flee then he started to stay but spit at them, and would occasionally 'box' them with his paws (but no claws out) we were very surprised as we thought the kittens would bear their mothers (his sister) scent. It took weeks before he relaxed. gradually he accepted them, ignoring them if he could, occasionally spitting, but over time he relaxed and now they will all eat from the same dish, curl up to sleep together, and he plays endless silly kitten games with them.(he is a neutered tom too) anyway, what i hope this illustrates is that with perseverence your older cat should accept a companion. it might not be overnight, but with time they probably will become friends. its important to make sure Roger gets more fuss than the kitten so that he doesnt feel his premier place in the cat hierarchy isnt under threat. with Finbarr, he would be fussed before the kittens, he would be given his food dish first etc. once he realised he was still 'top dog' so to speak, ll was fine!! good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 Cats being Top Dog Whatever next?!?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted November 29, 2005 Author Share Posted November 29, 2005 (edited) Wel, in my house poor Roger doesn't actually stand a chance- he's really intimidated by Onion & her gang, so our cat isn't Top Dog, whatever he thinks.... but the Chickens are Edited November 29, 2005 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 Kate We've had all manner of cats and kittens and I have never had a problem. We adopted Maisie 2 years ago and she was a ferral kitten, quite a handful but Roger may like the company and learn to enjoy being part of a couple. They do usually end up pals and if they have a stressful situation they turn to each other. I'd go for it, the more the merrier!! BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
