Have a 6 year old cat, chances of accepting a new cat/kitten?

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I currently have an indoor cat (and two dogs). My cat is a male British Shorthair, he is 6 next month :) and he has been a singleton since 13 weeks old.

I live in a spacious 3 bed house (3 bedrooms, large bathroom, large living room, wide hallways/landing, big kitchen, utility room, teeny tiny garden.

I also have two children 8 and 5.

My cat does not like men (ex would have nothing to do with him) or workmen. He is used to the house being invaded by children (packs of them sometimes) and sits and watches them in living room from top of his ceiling high cat scratcher (only comes down as they are leaving, I think to see them off...). He does not mind ladies :) or older children.

With the dogs he likes to terrorise one (the lurcher), seems to think him fair sport for ambushing. The girl terrier and our cat both like to try to be boss, cat has been known to mount her before . But they will all lay down close to each other (and lurcher will go up and sniff at cat, but cat only has to look cross eyed at him to send him running away screaming for mercy). Dogs are 3 and 2.5 years old. My ex also used to bring back his spaniel (totally disinterested in cats) and at first cat used to run and hide...then sneak out and peak and after a couple of days would cautiously walk by the dog.

Cat likes me best :) comes for a fuss when he would like one ie on an evening watching tv for a few minutes, in bed (likes to have a fuss for 10 min before going off to sleep somewhere), on loo (its him or the dogs or the children...).

We do not leave the house generally for long periods, maybe one day a week over 6 hours (dog walker comes to walk dogs)

Oh and if he sees cats outside, (he definitely sees the birds as he chitters at them) he just watches, no hissing and growling.

Is this enough too much info?

What are the chances do you think of a new cat/kitten settling into the mad house?

I would be getting a rescue cat/kitten :)

TIA

i would say that as he seems to take everyone coming into a busy house and the dogs in his stride he probably would take to a kitten, my male british short haired was like him adorable but quite aloof and he got on very well with my other cats he was an adult when i adopted him from rescue though. if you go for it when you go to look at kittens look for one that is outgoing and take the children with you to see how they react together

My parents have recently introduced two kittens to their two adult cats without too much stress. They live in a spacious bungalow though with a massive garden so more than enough space. I suspect your cat would cope ok but is probably happier by himself having always been an only cat. I would be a bit anxious about the dogs with a kitten tbh. Kittens are so vulnerable and terriers and lurchers are bred to chase. If you're going to get another I would try and find a young rescue cat who has lived with dogs. That's probably your best bet.

Oh yes he's aloof!

I was wondering what type of personality to go for...I thought submissive so he could be the top cat...but outgoing would be better to deal with the household...outgoing and submissive? Boy or girl? What about a cat a year or two old? Or would a kitten be better? (children would love a kitten...I like to bypass that stage if I can :D but wouldn't say no...)

He could be happy alone, he could also be happy with a new playmate, but I will never find out if I don't try :)

Yes was in my thoughts that a kitten is rather tiny. Would have to keep separate til bigger which would not be fun.

Thank you for replies :)

I would be tempted to try and find a young female - under a year old so still plenty of 'go' but big enough not to seem like a toy for the dogs.

My old boy was 14 when I got a female kitten. She was very nervous at first but as she grew more confidant she loved to pounce on the old boy who did not like it one little bit. However, he tolerates her even though he thinks she is the ultimate PITA and looks down his furry little nose at her. Neverthess, instead of jumping on him, she more often washes the top of his head for him now which he enjoys. So, basically, a little bit of a tricky start but it settled down and there are no problems.

Another questions...the new cat would also be an indoors cat. Would a moggie be alright as an indoor cat? When I got my british shorthair I was purposefully looking for a more placid cat. We are a busy household so though its not the great outdoors there's still a lot going on (and access to the back yard in summer).

Thanks acid :) nice to hear a positive story :)

And thank you Northern (was replying to your answer with another question!)

if you are going to keep the other cat as indoor i would ask the rescue for a young either female or male (as yours is male sex isnt so important) that has been brought up an indoor cat as a kitten may grow up desperately wanting to go out (like my fosters at the moment god i have to be quick)wheras a slightly older say 6-12 month old that has been brought up indoors wont be so stressed not going out, a cat that has been an outdoor cat would be less able to adapt to indoors only

Thanks Issey, I'll be mentioning it first :)