Conference misery::feline_v1

    I'm not sure that FELINE is a good place to ask if you should get
    another cat - we'd all give the same answer - YES!  :-)))
    
    When a cat has a playmate in the house, it's happier... when bored, 
    there's company. When sleepy, there's someone to cuddle with,
    and when one's face itches, who better to groom it but another cat.
    
    By all means - get another cat!
    
    jack
    (sharing the house with Nancy, and OHMYGAWD fifteen furry feline friends!)
    
    Now what was CAT_MAX last time I negotiated it? 
    
    :-)
    

if your cat does not have front claws, she has no ability to fend off dogs,
mean children or predators who may attempt to harm her.  The rule is that if
you get a cat declawed, it must be an indoor-only cat for his/her own safety.
As you have inherited an declawed cat, you need to keep her in at all times.
It isn't an issue of what the cat wants, it is an issue of what the cat
NEEDS to be safe.  If you get a companion for her, she won't like it at first,
but she should adapt over time - and I agree that a companion will, in the
end, be a good influence for her -- it can keep her active and playful well
into old age.  We have 4 cats - all declawed, indoor-only, and they play
and tumble with each other all the time....and their ages range from 16 to
3 years old.

    Some cats will adapt to a new addition and others will not.  I have had
    a very bad experience and I know others in this file have as well.
    My cat was 2 years old when I brought in a kitten "to keep her
    company".  It's been a year now and she still HATES the other cat.
    Constant growling, hissing, swiping.  Total personality change.
    
    Not all cats will react this way, but some will.  I brought a 3rd
    kitten into the household when the second cat was a year old and he
    accepted him immediately.  They are BEST of friends but the first cat
    still HATES them both.
    
    My advise would be to make a deal with the person that you get the
    kitten from.   Tell them that you will take the kitten with the
    condition that you can return them within 3 weeks if they do not get
    along.  That is what I did when I got the 3rd kitten but luckily they
    became great pals on the spot.   I think you can tell right away
    if they will adapt to each other or if it will take a lot of time for
    them to adjust.  
    
    If they do get along, there's nothing better than having 2 (or more).
    Ziggy and Zula are now 15 and 6 months old and they are inseparable.
    They constantly play, clean each other, scratch together on the post,
    eat together, drink together etc.   
    
    I hope things work out for you if you do decide on getting a kitten.
    
    Pam  

    I agreee with .2 on keeping her inside.  That's my biggest fear -- her
    getting hurt because of her inability to protect herself.
    
    Would you suggest getting a kitten of the same sex.  Would they get
    along better provided they're the same sex?  I have a choice of three
    little white furballs.
    
    On keeping her inside.  Should I use a spray bottle when she goes to
    scoot out the door?  Or any other suggestions to keep her from
    screaming by me every time I head for work would be appreciated.
    
    Thanks,
    

>>    Would you suggest getting a kitten of the same sex.  Would they get
>>    along better provided they're the same sex?  I have a choice of three
>>    little white furballs.
    

well I have 2 males and 2 females....it all seemed the same to me.  If you
get a very small kitten, expect a period of incompatibility when the little
one gets "mature" and is not yet spayed/neutered.  They live by smell and
a whole cat smells different...instant "stranger"....That means, you should
expect a period of adjustment - several weeks/months (my four all adjusted
differently - now they all play and wrestle with one another - with all
kinds of sound effects - hissing, spitting, yowling), at first and THEN
another period of adjustment when the little one reaches maturity.

>    On keeping her inside.  Should I use a spray bottle when she goes to
>    scoot out the door?  Or any other suggestions to keep her from
>    screaming by me every time I head for work would be appreciated.
    
ANYTHING that works....I would try spraying her, watching your feet very
carefully, gently, but firmly lifting her away from the door with your
foot just before you exit while saying  "NO!!".  She is defenseless out 
there and she simply must not go out.  She will adjust to the rules if 
you are consistent when enforcing them.  Be as forceful as necessary - and
be prepared to exit quickly BEFORE opening the door.

    And if she yowls, exile her to the bathroom for a short period of
    time.  Be persistent and she'll figure it out.
      N

    My Sausha was 12 years old when I brought her little 6-week old sister
    Misty Rae home.  I was really concerned that she would not adapt after
    being the soul focus of my attention for 12 years.  At first she acted
    like she wanted to eat her, I also got to hear my Sausha growl for the
    first time....this was a treat!  After about a month Sausha took Misty
    Rae under her wing and treated her just like she was her own baby. 
    
    When Misty Rae was 6 months old, Sausha had enough of this new
    energetic toy.  Sausha wanted to sleep and eat and Misty Rae wanted to
    play and play some more!  So it was then that Freeway came into our
    life and she was only 4 weeks old.  Then Misty Rae acted like she was
    gonna eat Freeway and Sausha seemed to dislike the new intruder too.
    So it was back to square one!  Another month passed and Misty Rae
    adopted her little sister Freeway, cleaned her, let her pretend nurse,
    and just loved that little kitty to pieces.  Sausha was very glad to
    have Freeways attention diverted to something else.
    
    Mine are all girls and they get along great....most of the time!  When
    they go to brawling in the living room all it takes is a loud "Break It
    Up!" from Mom and a smack of the magazine in my hands and all three
    high speed it into different directions of the house.
    
    As far as teaching them not to speed dodge out the door when you open
    it (mine all stay indoors - they are declawed); I would just shoo them
    away with my foot and use the command "NO or BACK".  It takes some time
    and constant follow thru, but they are smart and catch on!
    
    So my vote is YES on a new kitty!
    
    Lori...Sausha...Misty Rae...Freeway
    

another trick I use at the front door - Hannah was feral and knows about
outdoors, unlike the rest of the gang - I keep my brief case low, and use
it to block the exit as I back out the door - she bounced off it once when she
took a mad dash for outside and has since learned that I WILL STOP her
from exiting.....I also recommend slapping a magazine on the floor or make
another loud noise just in front of the door before exiting - it should scare
the cat away from the door and give you time to get out.

    
    
       Read note 3892 and 3892.16 put in by me!  When I decided to keep
    Dandy (male) in he wasn't happy.  Then I decided to get him a friend
    so he wouldn't mind staying in.  Well its been 6 weeks, and he still
    would like to go out, but he and loves his new sister.  She is 6 months
    old in two weeks (going to be spayed in two weeks) and they have a 
    ball together.  They run through the house at 40 mph, upstairs, down
    stairs, everywhere.  If you read that note you understand that I was
    really nervous about adding a new kitty.  I wanted my 2 year old Dandy
    to except his new friend really bad.  Well I have to say that my two
    adjusted really fast.  After 4 days they were all over together.
    
        Oh, I have to add this also.  I was making a tuna sandwich for one
    of my children and I put the empty bowl down on the floor so Dandy 
    could lick the leftover.  Well Missy came running over to have some,
    AND.....my 13 year old dog also joined in.  I ran for the camera but
    it was too late.  I couldn't believe the three of them eating out of
    a cereal bowl.
    
    
        Add a play mate for your kitty.  It will be the best thing you've
    ever done.
    
    
    Good Luck
    
    Patti
    

    I am in the same predicament, I would like to get a new brother
    or sister for Spookie.  She was very lonely after her brother Rif
    Raf died, so we got baby Max for her.  They hated each other at
    first but grew together.  After he died she was distraught.
    
    She has now been on her own for eight months and seems to have more
    life and energy than she has ever had, would it ruin her life
    completely if we were to introduce another kitten to the family?
     
    We are also moving house this weekend and I know it will upset her,
    so how long should we wait - or would it be easier to get the two
    traumas over and done with together.  She has also turned into an
    indoor cat.
    
    
    thanks
    Tracy-anne
    

    re: .10 - get the new kitten this weekend!  If you are moving  then
    the new place is no one's territory yet.  If you let her get situated
    in the new place first she'll have claimed her territory and you
    have the situation of a new cat invading her territory.  With a 
    brand new place the two cats would be on equal footing.
      Nancy DC

	I agree with Nancy.  We brought Tas home to Smudge two days after
	we'd moved into our house (at last we could have all the cats we
	wanted!).  She accepted him almost immediately, and they're now
	pretty much on equal footing as to who's the boss-cat :^}

	Sandy

    I, too, agree with Nancy!  Start them BOTH off at the new place
    equal.  They BOTH will be so busy investigating their new
    surroundings, they won't care about each other or YOU.  You
    will get all your unpacking done, and the cats will entertain
    each other by snooping the house down.  Just plop down a bowl
    of food, water, etc. and let them run around!
    
    E.T.

    re: last three
    
    You have all made up my mind for me.  I actually went to see some
    kits last night and they were gorgeous, there were two baby spookies
    and tiny pure black one.  I'm actually thinking on getting one for
    John - my hubby - as he really misses Max.  Max was his boy.
    
    We'll be off all next week so that will give us time to settle the
    family in.
    
    thanks
    Tracy-anne

    Hey!  That's great!  Get two!!!

     We've "introduced 4 cats to our first one...each time they take a
    little time to sort out the "pecking-order" and after that they seem to
    find their own "niche" in the structure. We also have 10 dogs...all 15
    critters plus two humans live IN the house. Our last introduction was a
    male semi-feral cat who had never been indoors before. We DID have his
    front claws removed just to be safe, and Lukey has adapted VERY well to
    his new indoor and three-girlfriend existance. So well, in fact that
    he's recently picked up the nickname "Blimpo" since he EATS like a HOG!
    I guess he starved so long when he was an abandoned kid that he figures
    that FOOD is to be EATEN...before someone ELSE eats it. I keep telling
    my wife that (1) We cannot stop him from eating unless we watch him
    contstantly, but (2)Soon he'll be so fat he won't be able to jump up on
    the countertop where the food is...instant forced-diet!
      Luke and Smokey--our other male--get along fine also. Oh sure,there
    are some spitting sessions, and now and then one of them bats at
    another one with thier paws, but the claws seem to always be retracted.
    What's REALLY a panic is to see one of the cats sitting on the couch
    washing one of the dog's faces....with the dog in pure extasy. 
    
    JM 

    I have already thought about two, and that way if Spookie takes
    the huff for a little while the new little one will have someone
    else to play with.
    
    I have been testing the water ie walking past the pet shop, vet's
    etc I even have one of John's workmates asking him about cats and
    kittens.  The funny thing is he hasn't even pieced the two together
    yet.  
    
    Last night we seen the most beautiful little light/dark grey and
    black stripy tiger it was tiny and so sad looking I kept saying
    to John all night "wasn't he lonely looking".  He even came home
    and told Spookie that Mummy wanted to bring her a new brother and
    or sister what did she think of that?  
    
    "Mmuuurrrrrrrphhh - I don't think I would mind too much!!"
    
    Anyway, since I am out all next week - hopefully will have some
    good news for you when I come back in 10/9.
    
    
    "Pleeeassse remember that I'm the Lady of the house -  meeowwrrrr"
    Spookie
    
    
    
    Tracy-anne

This seems like the perfect topic in which to ask for some advice...

We've had Hemi now for just over a week (making her approx. 12 weeks old).
She's adapting quite well, as is Tigger (8 years old), considering what he
has to adapt to!  We've been letting him go out when he wants, which is pretty
often, but it's summer so that's ok.  He's never been one for lots of attention,
so nothing is really out of character.  And we parents are still in one piece,
though the phrase "Hemi, no!" is now permanently burned into our brains. :-)

Now, the big question is "do we get another kitten?" (see why I thought this
was the perfect topic? :-))

We figure Hemi would love a playmate.  She's tried to play with Tigger but he
just won't stand for it.  She's not done any irreparable harm yet (they say
the human body heals well, and besides, I never did have nice legs :-)) and
we're so glad to have her.  We figure another baby around Hemi's age would
be our best bet, if we were to take the plunge.

I know I don't have to convince this audience that we're not crazy.  I've also
read all the other notes already on this subject.  I guess what I'm asking for
is advice/support.  Is now the best time to do it, before we all get too used
to the status quo?  To give Hemi the best shot at being and having a happy
playmate?  To sneak another kitty in while Tigger is still in shock? :-)

Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Jill (and Bill, Tigger, Hemi)

    I vote for a playmate...but of course your talking to someone with
    7 cats!!!!!   I think Hemi needs a friend to help her get rid of
    all the energy she storing up.  And as I always say...there is nothing
    like two little furfaces growing up with each other, cuddling and
    cleaning each other.  I just love watching them!!!!
    
    Go for it!!!  I know where you can find another kitten!!!!
    
    Sandy

    I vote Yes!!!.....I've only got 5 cats, so you need 3 more
    to catch up w/me, and 5 to catch up with Sandy! :-)
    
    Lynne & crew

    Well of course, me with currently 10 and who has had as many as 12
    at a time, including 6 kittens.......yes, by all means get another
    kitten.  There is nothing like watching kittens playing together.
    And so many are out there who need homes.........
    
            Denise and the gang of 10

    
    
    	We started with just Squeeky, 2 yrs old. She kindof moped
    	around, and cluncg to us when we got home, so we thought
    	she needed a playmate. In came Sara, a kitten. It was okay
    	for a while but it was clear that Squeeky was just barely
    	tolerating her, and was slowly going nuts with this kitten
    	jumping all over her. SOOOOO, in came Katie, another kitten.
    	Sara and Katie are buddies, wrestle all the time, and leave
    	Squeeky alone (which, it turns out, appears to be what she 
    	really wanted in the first place!). 
    
    	Even though you have two cats, that doesn't guarantee that 
    	they will automatically enjoy each other's company. Besides,
    	what's ONE more cat???  :) :) 
    
    	Sherry
    

Thanks for the replies so far, folks.  On one hand it's always great to hear
the "I have zillions of cats and they're great and all play together" stories
and on the other hand it's really good to hear Sherry's reply and the other
side of reality.

We most definitely did not get Hemi to keep Tigger company.  We hoped that he
might be able to tolerate the little critter, who we brought home for us
2-legged types.  But if we get another kitten, it would be a) to play with
Hemi, and b) to keep Hemi from bugging poor Tigger, and of course c) for Bill
and me to love.

And speaking of Tigger, we're trying to figure out what's going on with him.
Starting yesterday morning and continuing last night and this morning, he has
been at the door and come in as usual, going straight to the kitchen to await
his breakfast/dinner.  But he only played with it, maybe eating a little.  Not
wolfing it down like he always does (did?).  Eventually he walks away and
asks to go out again.  He seems to be physically fine, as far as we can tell.

Of course, the obvious change from normal is the arrival of Hemi and the chaos
she brought with her.  Tigger doesn't even defend his food from her if she tries
to get at it.  But things seemed to be ok earlier in the week.  Maybe it's just
part of the adjustment process.

Any other ideas on what the problem might be, or what to do about it?  I think
maybe we'll try to keep Hemi away from Tigger at feeding time and see what
happens.

Jill

    The same thing happened with Tabitha. We became very concerned when 
    she started to drop weight after we got Callie (the crazy critter!).
    Even still, we have to keep an eye on them, so that Callie will leave 
    Tabitha alone while she eats. Otherwise Tabitha just walks away, & the
    little piglet eats her food. Callie doesn't terrorize her or anything,
    she just irritates her sometimes. They love each other, but there are
    times when Tabitha would just love to take her for a looooong ride in
    the country! ;*)
    
    Lately we've been concerned about Tabitha's teeth. The vet said they
    weren't as nice as a cat's teeth should be at her age. We asked what
    to do about it. He said she needs to have her teeth brushed or knocked
    out for a cleaning. We were all ready to do it, and then he said,
    "well, It's not that necessary RIGHT NOW, but you should keep an eye
    on them." We can't get near her mouth. She'll only let the doctor
    violate her body, which is good, because if I *HAVE* to administer med-
    ication or something, she's mad at me for a week. 
    
    Anyway...I say it could be an attitude adjustment, but check the teeth,
    too...you never know...it could be both.
    
    
    Bon

    I also find my cats eat less in the summer months.   In the 
    morning they scoff down a bit of food...and then stand at the
    door ready to go out!
    
    I do agree that in case it is an attitude problem...you might want
    to separate the two cats during feeding time.  My younger cats
    eat on one side of the room and the older cats get the other
    side.  
    
    Sandy

    When I brought home Dandy on June 8th, Jamie (my next youngest) refused
    to eat in his usual place in the kitchen with everyone else.  Jamie was
    also still upset in having to go to the vet's for boosters the night of
    the 4th so he was still pouting about that too.
    
    He just walked out of the kitchen and stayed in the bedroom until
    everyone else had finished.  I had put his dinner in the refrig to keep
    hoping he would come out for it later.  He still wouldn't eat it where
    I normally put it on the floor (his place) but when I put it on the
    countertop (something I thought I'd NEVER do although they have to get
    on that counter long enough to get in one of the windows), he jumped up
    and ate.
    
    This went on all last week until yesterday and now he's back to "his
    spot" on the kitchen floor eating with the rest of my cats.  He doesn't
    mind it even if Dandy comes over to his dish to taste some of his food
    (they all like to play swap during feeding).  He and Dandy even sit in
    windows together watching the mosquitos and fireflies at night. 
    
    I also find (like Sandy) that during the warm days of summer my cats
    tend to eat less too.
    
    Pat, D.P., Holly, Thai, Buffy, Jamie, Midnight, Dandy (& Cookie)