Advice on choosing a new cat

[fairyfuckwings]

We have a 13 year old tom. He was hand reared and is very friendly and loving. He's quite sociable for a cat really and doesn't mind the cats next door coming in.

We used to have another 2 female cats but they died quite a few years ago now.

We'd really like another kitten or young cat. I've seen a 4 month old tom in a nearby rescue. I was originally thinking a female would be best as that's what we had in the past and they all got on pretty well. Does anyone have experience of 2 toms in the same house? Would it be a problem?

I'm also sold on the efficacy of bribery - although sadly that never worked with Seniorboy who is pretty resistant to treats and hated The Lodger so much he was completely focussed elsewhere. Get a few bags of Dreamies - or whatever the treat of choice is - and give a couple to each cat whenever they're in contact. That way, they might (might) associate the other with nice things happening.

It's likely worth a try anyway.

Yes that's a good idea about the treats. I think they've been getting on quite well considering. The seem quite happy in the same room as long as there's a bit of distance between them. The new one keeps making all the contact with the older one but in a submissive way - ie rolling over in front of him etc.

3 weejs for the feliway? I'll be needing a new refill by then! I got it as I thought it couldn't hurt If it was the older one feeling unsettled again.

I do think it's most likely the new one though. He seems a bit "untrained". I know you can't really train a cat as such but he's very "in your face" whenever anyone has food. Very very in your face! Same with cooking. It may just be that he was allowed to do that in his last home but I'd have thought that after 3 years of being batted away he'd have stopped bothering! Maybe he's just not used to having to "go" in the one place.

He's still very cute though! He does a weird whirring noise that one of my old cats used to do and is very friendly. I'm sure we'll get this sorted. Or learn to live with it! He definitely wants to go outside so maybe once he's able to that will be better. I think I've given him too much living space though. I think he just doesn't understand that all the rooms need to be kept clean.

Zylkene calms them down, it's available without a prescription.

It gives mine a runny bottom though so I limit use to stressful times like the cattery.

I have four toms and three girls and generally they all get on - the toms are all laid back and easy going it's two of the girls who don't get on generally.