Will I only ever have one cat now?

[IamtheDuchessstill]

I adopted a 3 yr old cat last summer - his elderly owner had died so I know he had never lived with other cats. The rescue centre had put 'unknown' on their form regarding his suitability to live with other cats. Having had him for a few months, I realised that he is a very independent cat and, much as we do love him, started to consider getting another one who may be a bit more sociable! He does sleep with me/the dc, but spends pretty much no waking time downstairs, so we see very little of him. He does seem happy, and sits with the children while I do bedtime stories etc, so don't think he dislikes children, but must have been used to a very quiet home!

I went back to the rescue centre last week to discuss the possibility of adopting another, and the woman said she would advise against it as she remembered him and he liked his own company - though they didn't put that on his form and do for other cats. From what I can see, he doesn't much like the other cats on the street, though he does spend most of his time in bed, so it is hard to judge.

So, is that it - is there anyway I could introduce another cat and it not be a disaster? I really don't want to upset him and, despite the impression I may have given, I love him and will NOT be getting rid or anything like that whatever happens. It's just that I have had various combinations of dogs + cats throughout my life, (all rescued and all lived to a good age) and marriage split means dog is not an option anymore and I feel a little lacking with just one very independent cat.

Any advice would be great - so many people have more than one cat - surely they did not all come as a pair??

Does he sleep with you?

Yes he does - usually sleeps with the dc when they go to bed and then transfers to my room when I go.

A female kitten might be OK.

I'm in no way as knowledgable as many of the litter tray posters, but I got two rescues (both girls) (at once!) who were strangers to each other. I was a complete and utter novice to cat "ownership" and just applied the advice I got here x 2 .... Without separating the cats...
There were some tricky times as they figured out who was boss, but almost a year later things are grand. They are not buddies mind, and are pretty independent of each other. But both are very happy and loved and loving. They rub along pretty well. (Coley does tease Margot sometimes though, and M is sooo disdainful)

That's my experience anyhoo. If I were doing it again I'd go boy/girl but I hadn't a clue about cats. And I'd be at the loss of Coley my little black beauty as dh had fallen for tortie Margot.

Good luck - I'm sure you could make it work with time & patience!

We got a male rescue cat and then a year later added a female rescue too. The intros were a week or so and a bit of growling under the door at her, lots of eating meals in sight but distant of each other to reassure both there was enough food for all, lots of shared swapped blankets and cuddles and brushing then just seeing what happened .... And a TON of dreamies to sweeten the shared space. There was one moment when our male cat tried to play by jumping on to the newbie, she swore blue murder and he has never tried it since. Occasionally they sleep on the same bed, or chase each other through the house, otherwise they are just curious about the others actions (and what they have eaten).

Our male cat is a hunter, out for hours at a time and unconscious when in a lot of the time recovering from his roaming. We get a lot of presents.

The female Tortie is feisty and loves following me around and sitting on my lap. She goes out but only nearby and is wary of couple of other local cats though friends with the quieter ones.

It works well for my two but I suppose you could take on a female rescue with the understanding that if they don't settle you would return her to the rescue?

I would have them apart while they get used to the smells and mix the smells with dreamies, feliway, fussing, feeding in sight together and slowly move bowls closer etc.

If it works the rescue have found another home for an unwanted cat, it it doesn't you know you tried and they are only back to where they were with the second cat?