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Old April 20th, 2009, 11:20 AM
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Masha Masha is offline
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Should we get a companion for Monkey (our cat)?

Hi,

We have been thinking whether we should get Monkey (our cat) a companion. Monkey is a 4.5 year old male and we adopted him when he was 7 months old. He is very playful and I feel bad that I cant spend as much time as he probably would like playing with him. He never had much contact with other cats except for the two weeks he spent at the rescue that we adopted him from 4 years ago, at that point they told us he was good with other cats and dogs (but they only had him for two weeks so not much time to really observe him).

His only encounter with another cat is when a neighbour’s cat comes into our back yard or onto our balcony and monkey is behind the sliding door and sniffs or sees him through the netting. Both cats hissed at each other the first time and monkey eventually turned away and lay on the bed with his back to the cat. Since then when monkey sees the neighbour’s cat through the door he looks at him, sometimes sits at the door to watch him, but he doesn’t show any signs of ‘stress’, he is not hiding or freaking out, just the hissing that made me worried a bit. Usually after seeing the cat he just goes to do his thing, like sleep on the bed, etc.

I know a lot of you have multiple cats that get a long great. Do you think Monkey is the kind of cat that can benefit from a companion? Does he even need a companion, maybe it’s me thinking he needs one meanwhile he is all happy without one…. What is your experience, do you find that most cats appreciate a companion?

We found a cat that sounds like a good fit at the rescue where we adopted monkey. The info says the cat is very friendly with all cats and very sociable (I emailed the rescue for more info). If we do decide to adopt another one, this one seems like he would be a good fit… but I’m waiting to hear more from the rescue, I am hoping they will help us find the right fit if we do decide to go ahead with it.

Thanks,
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Old April 20th, 2009, 11:33 AM
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Kassiaethne Kassiaethne is offline
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why not do a couple of trial meetings with the two cats. see if they can adjust. or if monkey will just totally freak out
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Old April 20th, 2009, 11:51 AM
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Winston Winston is offline
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herman1 i am not sure why you would patrol the streets at night to find a cat? its beyond me understanding that. not to mention the fact that those cats likely have a home already..and someone missing them after you take them off the streets?

Masha perhaps you could have a trial period for a new kitty to see if it will work out?
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Old April 20th, 2009, 12:05 PM
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Masha Masha is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Winston View Post
Masha perhaps you could have a trial period for a new kitty to see if it will work out?
The woman i spoke to a few weeks ago said that they strive to find a good fit and that if the cats dont get along we can always try a different cat, I am just hoping it doenst have to come to that.


Do cats actually appreciate a companion or is it us humans assuming that they do?
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Old April 20th, 2009, 12:11 PM
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Love4himies Love4himies is offline
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That depends on the cat.

My Jasper would NEVER do well in a one cat home. He loves other cats (not unneutered males though).

Sweet Pea does well with other passive cats as does Puddles.

Some cats seem to take a shine to each other right away, some will never get along.
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Old April 20th, 2009, 12:14 PM
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ancientgirl ancientgirl is offline
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The problem with bringing a cat home as a trail, is you already have to take time to introduce a cat to another. Cat introductions can take anywhere from 1 week to a couple of months. You need to keep them in separate rooms, exchange bedding so they can get used to each others scents. It has to be done slowly. So it would almost be unfair to keep another cat for say a month, have them go through all of that and then if they don't get along in the end return the second cat.

If you decide on another cat, yes try to find one that would be a good fit, personality wise, and temperament wise, but it's a commitment.

It took me about about two weeks to introduce Vlad and Oksana to each other as kittens, and about a week to introduce Kiska and Maks to them. However it took me almost 6 months to introduce Czari to the others, so patience is the key.

I think Monkey would greatly benefit from having a companion.
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Old April 20th, 2009, 12:26 PM
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Masha Masha is offline
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AG, Does Czari play with your other cats now?

I am willing to spend months on the introduction if it will mean that monkey will enjoy the companionship. I dont want him to be stressed needleslly, but i definitely understand the commitment. I have been following your posts abotu czari and saw the progress, that was just amazing.

The cat the we have identified so far as a possible good fit is descripted as 'very friendly - like all cats' so we think that a cat with a very positive attitutude will help monkey come out of his shell.
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