Should I get another cat...younger or older? What do you think?

Should I get a kitten? - baby kitten
United States
February 6, 2008 7:42am CST
I've had my Bigguy for about a month now and there has been no change in his attitude. He still doesn't come to me and obviously just puts up with me patting him and trying to play with him since he really isn't interested in participating in either one. I spend the majority of my time in my living room and stays in the kitchen....sleeping....24/7. He gets up to eat and use his box and it's back to the spot his chosen as his until I go into the kitchen for something then he just "deals" with me...lol. My son and daughter think I should get another cat so he will have someone to play with and so I will have what I wanted when I got him...a companion which he definitely is not! My problem is should I get a kitten or an adult cat like him? I think a kitten would aggravate the hell out of him and I don't want him feeling uncomfortable here. What is your opinion?
11 people like this
28 responses
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
6 Feb 08
That's a really difficult call - it really depends on the cat as to how they would deal with another cat. We moved in last year and there was another cat in the house already - neither one of them is dealing with another cat in the house. They were both 'only children' before. There have been several fights as each is trying to let the other know who is boss - I think mine has won out but the other cat now chases the new dog we brought into the house and the dog is scared.
2 people like this
• United States
6 Feb 08
That sounds like a lot of fun...lol...the thing about Bigguy is when he lived in the basement he was in there were two cats and a dog unstairs that he wanted to interact with but they didn't like him which leads me to believe he might enjoy a companion.
@raychill (6525)
• United States
6 Feb 08
Well you have to be careful. If I remember correctly you said that he was in the basement of the other house because the cats and him did not get along. So you have to be careful if you get a kitten because he could be mean to the kitten and an adult cat may not like him since he's an adult. Also, if you get another cat you have to get them together carefully, and not just bring the cat into this new cat environment. I think it's really sad that you're not appreciating your cat for what he is and by getting another one you may also make it worse by making him think you're just trying to replace him. Maybe you should get a dog. Since that is the kind of companion you actually seem to be looking for and not a cat.
2 people like this
• United States
6 Feb 08
Oh, don't get me wrong...I do appreciate the little guy in fact I love him for who he is and everyone says he is just like me! lol. I lay on the couch most of the day and he has his spot all day. I actually worry that his life isn't as good as it can be. Maybe it's because I'm not happy with my life and I'm projecting it to him.
1 person likes this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
6 Feb 08
Be patient. It took more than one month for my kitten to be friendly with my dogs and me. She was small kitten when I saved her. If you get older and abused in the past cat, it may takes longer for your cat to feel good and safe. I wouldn't rush in getting more cats now. Bigguy needs to feel at home first, plus cats are not as social as dogs. Bigguy may not accept new cat at home and fight for his space. I would wait at least next 3 months.
1 person likes this
• United States
6 Feb 08
So many people and so much advice...lol. You could be right too. I think I'm going to wait a couple of more months and see if he changes any.
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
7 Feb 08
I would get an adult cat. How old is the other one? It is a bit unusual that it doesn't play or want attention. Still, I guess all cats vary in their personalities. This time look for a cat that is friendly & obviously seeking attention. I expect you have a rescue society that would sell cats more cheaply. Spend time having a good look & see which ones relate to you. It would be nice to have a companion for yourself & your other cat.
1 person likes this
@LovingIt (5396)
• United States
7 Feb 08
It's not at all unusual for an adult cat to take some time to adjust to a new home. Most will actually hide the first week or two they are in a new home. There is nothing unusual in it not being ready to play or want attention at this point in his move. The fact that he's staying in the kitchen away from everyone else tells me that he's still somewhat nervous and unsure of things. He most likely, just needs more time.
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
7 Feb 08
I didn't realise that you had obtained your new cat onlky recently, although I do vaguely recall a discussion you started about it. I'm sure he will relax & become affectionate.
• United States
7 Feb 08
Not only does it take some time to get used to a new home, but that might just be his personality. How old are your kids? My cat refuses to come around during the day because of how young my girls are. When we first brought him back into our house, he'd been living with my parents for a couple of years, he didn't like me because I smelt like them. And my last comment is that our cat is an older male and he prefers men over women. Does he respond better to other people in your house?
1 person likes this
@Sissygrl (10912)
• Canada
6 Feb 08
I dunno, if he is anti-social to you, he may be just as anti-social to another cat. If you get another one, you should get a kitten, that way it will be used to you since it will have been with you all its life practically. And you wont have weird social behalviours. And as far as the first cat not liking the kitten, he'll deal, and if he doesn't like the kitten, i'm sure you could make him a bed somewhere up high where the kitten cant get to and he could relax up there while you enjoy your kitty that DOES like companionship. Cats are funny like that aren't they? they more you want them to be affectionate the less they want to be. They are pretty arogant creatures, but i love them none the less!
1 person likes this
• United States
6 Feb 08
I've actually come to love this little guy as standoffish as he is. Maybe it's because he's so much like me...lol...
• United States
6 Feb 08
Is he the only cat in the household right now? He may be lonely without another cat, so your kids might be right. I think you should defeniatly get an older cat. I don't know how old Bigguy is, but the new cat doesn't have to be his age if he is old. You just need to find a matured cat; one who knows when to stop, knows what no means, can be calm and playful...a kitten is defeniatly not the smartest way to go with an older cat X.X You're right, a kitte qould probably annoy him lol.
1 person likes this
@Mondoh (147)
• United States
6 Feb 08
In general, that's their nature... Play every now & then, but as they get older, like 4 it to B their idea... after awhile, mine would put her head underneath my hand when she wanted to B petted, jump in my lap when I was working on the computer & she felt ignored, etc... They all have their own personality, & a dozen different meows. give it time... AC
1 person likes this
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
6 Feb 08
I was wondering you and Bigguy were doing. I'm sorry he is taking so long to feel at home and being affectionate. Some cats do get to be affectionate. We had a mother and her son and the son would only play with my granddaughter. They can be so picky and finicky about so many things. Wish I had some better advice for you.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160665)
• United States
6 Feb 08
My experience in a similar situation is that I had a young (2yr.) adult neutered male cat. A family member presented me with a kitten she rescued. The adult bathed and loved the little guy. They got along fabulously. The kitten was a male as well. I think it needs to be a younger cat than he is, so he retains dominancy. Remember, he had a problem at his other home with the other cats.
• United States
6 Feb 08
I was thinking the same thing. A younger cat would make Bigguy the dominant one and since he was here first that might also help.
• United States
8 Feb 08
If I was in your predictament I would get a kitten so I can grow up getting to know you and what not. Kittens are very playful and although it might aggravate your other cat he will get use to it. You need a companion and hes not cutting it. lol
@shrub62 (42)
10 Feb 08
Don't give up on your cat. I had one that was pretty standoffish for several months and then all of a sudden I could not get him out of my lap. Some cats take longer to come around and especially if he was stuck in an inferior place like a basement before you got him. If you get another one either a kitten or another one his age would both probably work. The kitten may bring out his mother instincts in him and he may come around whereas a cat his own age may interact with him.
@ggggdddd (37)
• United States
8 Feb 08
I have a cat like that he just run and hide and won't let me touch him until it's time to eat,and I had him for about two years he has a playmate and they get alone just fine but, he won't let anyone touch him,so, if your cat had a play mate I think he would bond with the other cat. Since you only had him for a month he's proberly now use to you yet, try holding him and patting him and talking to him than I think he may come around. You should get another adult cat,they will end up being best of friends. I got another adult cat for my cat that I had since he was a kitten and they just love one another.
@JJ4Ever (4693)
• United States
13 Feb 08
You've posted a really good discussion. I can definitely see why you would be concerned with getting a new cat and what kind you should get. Your current cat sounds like a cat my boyfriend had that just tolerated being around people so he could get fed a couple times a day and so he could get pet when he was in a good mood. (LOL) I would suggest that you get a kitten for a couple reasons. Yes, it might bug your other cat, but it also might make him more active. It could go either way. If you have a kitten, you can basically train the kitty to play and be around people. It will grow up however you want. Your older cat may or may not decide to like the other kitty, but it's a risk you have to take. Even if it were an older, not-so-active cat, you'd still be taking the same risks getting another cat. I think sometimes cats just have an anti-social personality, which is unfortunate. They always sleep and never want to pick pet or held. It's hard to tell they're going to turn out that way either when you're at the pet store picking out a cat! I think you're being completely reasonable in your desire to get a new cat. A kitten would be perfect for a companion that you want and it would always want to be around you because that's how it would grow up. Your other cat would have to be ok with sharing the house with it. (LOL) I doubt it would attack the new cat or anything unless it becomes really territorial when you bring the new kitten home. I highly doubt it. I wish you the best in picking out a new kitten and hope everything works out for you!
@sallysue (326)
• Canada
9 Feb 08
I don't think you should get a new cat until your present cat becomes more comfortable around your house and with you. Sometimes, a little bribery wouldn't hurt. Have you tried him on any of the cat treats they have on the market, you know like pounce, or temptatiions, or that kind of stuff. Try giving him one by hand and hopefully he'll come to you. Every time he does come to you give him a little treat and he'll start coming for the treat than start patting him and hopefully he'll eventually cuddle up on your lap. I know that's what I had to do with my cat. Now, he follows me all over the house. Hope it helps
@jsmith12 (438)
• Canada
9 Feb 08
Be VERY careful whatever you choose to do. I had a cat and he was an old guy. My sister decided to rescue a cat that was going to be put to sleep. Things did NOT work out well. Our cat was shoved around, and the new cat fought with him, even though both were fixed males, and the new cat was younger then ours. To make matters worse, our cat was already ill, which may have played into the whole mess, but... The new cat caused all kinds of problmes, which our poor old sick cat got blamed for. Ended up having to isolate him in my room at times because the new cat would eat his food, and bother him to no end.
@jackgym (274)
• Australia
8 Feb 08
I think you need a Siamese (or similar) cat because you can train them like a dog. Very playful and friendly animals too.
• United States
7 Feb 08
Ok have you ever had a cat before. As this is normal cat actions. They real do what they want when they want it. How old is the cat if it is a kitten they sleep ALOT. Does he play? might want to get him a cat toy and play with it with him. I have always heard Dogs or here to serve us, we are here to serve cats.
@vertex (803)
• Philippines
7 Feb 08
I think its best to buy a young cat because young cats are very easy to tame than the older one because it didnt grow on your side. When young cats grow up they will be attached to u much and u can love the cat very much because you were the one to take good care of the cat
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
7 Feb 08
I have no idea what type of cat you should get. If Bigguy has been fixed, then any age of cat would be good for him to play with, but since he thinks he is the boss of the house, then a kitten would not be a good idea. Cats are independent, not like dogs, so you should not expect him to come to you just like that. Also how old is Bigguy? If he is an old cat, then even another cat no matter what age would aggravate him. Now if he were a kitten, then another kitten would be like a brother or sister to play with, but being an adult cat, another cat might be considered a threat.
7 Feb 08
hi , i am no expert, but i have owned a lot of cats. at the moment i have 5.or at least they allow me to own them! seriously though, you dont say how old your cat is, if he is an adult, you have to make allowances as he may have come from an environment where he had to make himself scarce. or even that he was kept outside all the time. please give him time to get used to you and your family. even now i have cats who it took ages --- over a year before they had become a family member, but happy to say they all settled in eventually. if you decide to get another cat, i would nt recommend a kitten. i know they are lovely and cuddley but if your big cat is feeling a bit out of it, to have a cute kitten to compete with, might make him jealous. my last 4 cats were all over a year old - in 3 cases - over 5 years old. so just give him time -- good luck
@Loen210 (1540)
• United States
8 Feb 08
I agree with several others, that you should give your cat some more time. A month si like no time for somebdoy who is adopted. But the good thing is that he doesn't act very upset at you, a new person who took over his life in a new place, a new atmosphere, etc. He's doing his best to get used to this place. He could even be a bit depresed. Making another sudden change of another cat may be difficult for him. Especially as many cats can't deal with other cats (they dont' get along like dogs do). But some do. So, it's hard to say waht's best. But keep us up to date. Also, ahve you trid playing wit hhim? Get lots of cat toys. Some string, also, playing under the covers in bed. scratching under, so he may want to pounce. Little balls. Things to keep him entertained. Scratch him a lot on the face, under chin, which they like.