New kitten, kittens or cat - please help me decide

[missminningham]

Hi all
We have had our cat from 3 yrs old and she is 13 now.

18 months ago we brought new cat into our home - a 1 year old boy who was so silly and affectionate and energetic you just couldn't help but love him. Sadly he was run over a couple of months ago and we weren't prepared for the gap he would leave.

So I am just coming round to the idea that we might try again. The only trouble is our female cat has been SO happy and affectionate since boycat died, coming to sleep on me and snuggling up a lot more....

I'm not sure if she's been sulking or was genuinely pushed out.

They fought but it seemed mostly playfighting. I get that at 13 she probably doesn't want to be hassled by a young cat who needs to do this.

So finally my question is this - she is strong and athletic still (but petite) but seems to like her space and quiet - are we better off getting a slightly older cat (I.e. Not a kitten) say 2 or 3 years old who is laid back as well?

The thing is I like the noise and energy younger cats bring so for me I would prefer a kitten. Is there a best configuration? Like would I be better getting 2 kittens so they fight with eachother and leave her alone? Or one so that she could still be the boss??

I just don't want to stitch my little mate up, she is such a lovely girl and I want her to be happy too.

Thank you,

MM

Oooh this is tough- if she were a lot younger I'd say to get another cat, but given she is an older girl and and seems much happier now I'd be inclined to leave her be and not introduce any new cats just now - sounds like she's enjoying being the centre of attention!

Kittens I think are better as a pair as they do play with each other so maybe that's a thought for if your girl passes away in future and you're thinking about new cats, but for now I'd keep things as they are

I wouldn't add kittens with an older cat, it's the equivalent of expecting a pensioner to make friends with a toddler. If she seems to want company than I would look for a similar aged friend but if she's happy as she is then leave her alone to be pampered as an only cat.

We have had a similar situation recently. We had two 14 year old girls who didn't really get on but worked around each other. The friendlier one died in July and the existing one is a real loner so we missed the company of a cat. We introduced two kittens a month ago, kept them apart for a week and had supervised introductions.

The kittens are brilliant together, to the extent where they hardly need us really but that's a separate issue. They are fascinated by our older girl, absolutely want to be her friend. She is having none of it and did sulk for a few days, remained outside for longer than normal but then it was very hot weather so not so odd really. But now they have reached peace, she slopes off to bed as usual and they leave her to it. It's working out ok and we still make a fuss of her as much as she will allow, which isn't much.

I vote for two kittens. They will play together and stay out of her way.

I vote two kittens. One kitten will just hassle your older girl to play. I recently got one kitten, because I had a very playful 5 year old cat. 5yo used to torture the old cat something chronic when she was still around, but is very happy with the kitten! They spend a lot of time rough and tumbling and galloping around at 80mph.

Two kittens sounds best - they will amuse themselves, and I believe its easier getting an incumbant cat to accept kittens rather than an adult which would be more of a threat. (And I've done it before twice now and has worked reasonably well)