Second adoption?

[FurbysMakeSexNoises]

I've got the most chilled, loving boycat. He's been with us for 3 years and is very content. In our old house he was bullied by the three brothers from next door (cats!) and stress groomed. All fine since then but can't help wondering about rehoming another furry buddy. It would be our fourth rescue cat.

But I know my current cat would be stressed at least initially. Although he was very happy when at the Cattery in the presence of other cats.

Any thoughts? I don't want to make him sad as I adore him- but two cats = better than one cat yes? No? Depends so much on the cats?!

I have an amazing, chilled, dog like rescue cat. I have seen his reaction to Will Feral, the only cat to date venture into the garden. It is terrifying. He fluffs up to mountain gorilla size, trees Will and hangs around the garden boasting and bragging afterwards.
I wouldn't dream of getting another cat. You have a nervous, bottom of the hierarchy type cat, really, don't get another, it will worry your cat so much.

I wouldn't, it's not fair on the cat you have.

I wouldn't. Our cat's the same and we had to take in a family members cat a few years ago or she would have been pts. Current cat coped badly but seemed to get used to it, that is until we did end up letting the other cat go. Current cat went straight back to her old self and it was a huge difference that we hadn't really noticed happening the other way round. I felt really guilty about it, but don't regret it as it gave the other cat a good last year after a few awful ones.

Current cat is so much happier alone that I definitely wouldn't get another, although I'd love to.

Ah I thought you might all say that. Never mind.

I don't think it's so cut and dried. It really does depend so much on both the cats involved. If he was ok with other cats in the cattery then he would probably be ok. And if you were to find one that was also happy in the company of other cats then I'm sure it would be fine with careful introductions.

If I was going to have a go do you think best to stick to female and younger rather than another male?

All of the cats I've had - with the exception of The Lodger, who is more of a force of nature and couldn't really care - have been happiest as singletons. Personally, I wouldn't.

I think that you have to be very clear about your motivations here. Do you really think he would like another cat or do you just want one, for whatever reason?

Very valid question Cozie - it's not for him it's for me- I just love cats and love that we've been able to give my boy a great home. I would love to be able to offer that to another cat needing adoption but only if it was going to work for DCat.

How old is he?

We have four cats. Originally we had boy cat and he was most definitely the top cat in the neighbourhood and fought with every other cat going.

We then took in a stray female and he took to her really well. And she was a pest, used to hide in the garden and wait for him to come out the cat flap and pounce and chase him.

Sadly she was run over but since then we have taken in another three female cats. Boy cat is most definitely still top cat and all the other cats are younger than him. He plays with the youngest, they chase each other round the house and hide and jump out on each other.

The best thing is to make sure that another cat is female, younger and you introduce them very, very gradually. A room for the new cat with all it needs and then swap blankets between them, stroke new cat and then let boy cat sniff your hand etc. Eventually he will start sniffing at the door of the room and you can find a way to introduce them - I find a packet of dreamies works wonders for having them in the same room but not concentrating on each other.

It can take a bit of time and patience but it can be done.

I vote no too.

My old lady was a rescue, initially incredibly nervous and stressed but did settle eventually. I took her on about 16 years ago. I stupidly thought, once she'd finally settled, that it'd be nice for her to have a friend so took on a female kitten. Very slow, considered introductions. My lady tried to mother her but the kitten was increasingly hostile. It was awful. Kitten eventually went to live with my parents, old lady has been happily with me and the only cat in the household ever since. Never again. Cats can be so territorial, even girls. It's just not worth stressing one or both of them out.

I'd vote no as well. I moved in with a friend several years ago, having only had my rescue brothers for about 6 months. My friend also had 2 cats. We introduced them carefully and slowly and they were all right, but one of my friend's cats vomited a lot through stress. Long story cut short, the cat that vomited turned out to be ill, and was PTS. Her other wee cat (young and stupid) was run down a few months later. My boys are still going strong, but I wouldn't introduce another cat just because I desperately wanted one.

So helpful having these experiences. My cat is very much king of his castle if dogs come around but had been dominated by more aggressive male cats in territory wars.

I'm not desperate to have another cat but wanted to explore the idea to see if it could work.

And this is a cat that has already experienced bullying by other cats and stress-groomed because of it? The Lodger would have got them all under the nearest tree and started a game of stud poker but he is ...........an unusual cat. (Seniorboy despised and detested him.)

I vote no.

If you read lots of cat websites - all the 'get two' are in relation to sibling kittens and about them playing together when small and making the human feel better leaving them going to work. Cats on the whole do not want to live with other cats.

Okay thanks all- totally happy with not considering another- worth just thinking it through dispassionately while out of my cat love bubble. He's a champion amongst cats and I wouldn't do anything to change his happiness.