If you already have a cat, should you get another one or would this really upset them?

[Blanchitsu]

I have a lovely cat, two years old. I would like another one but would never upset her. Can you introduce another cat into your home harmoniously?!

Well I have done it.
I had two nine year old BSH tabby sisters. Then fell in love with a sold black BSH female kitten.

The best advice I was given by very experienced cat owners was to just leave them to it as too much management and segregation etc can exacerbate territorial issues.

I did put the kitten in the study overnight for a few days but observed them during the day and gradually put their feeding bowls closer together. After a week all was well. The cat tree and baskets and windowsills were being shared.

They rub along quite nicely now.

Feliway plug in seemed to help too so I'd recommend that.

My 9 yo female and 8 mth female get along ok. Think bouncy kitten will be accepted more when she stops jumping out from nowhere to attack older ones tail but no real issues.

We've introduced a kitten to an adult cat a few times over the years (we always have two cats; when older cat dies, we get a new kitten). At first they are a bit suspicious of each other, kitten has to learn boundaries. But then suddenly it clicks into place and they've always ended up being good friends, sleeping together, etc.

We have a 4 yo cat and got another rescue cat earlier this year (was told he was 2, but turned out he's 7)

I was worried about them hating each other but after a couple of confrontations and swipes they got on with mainly ignoring each other.

Was a nightmare for us. Pissing, spraying, all sorts of territorial issues, even though they bonded seemingly well- cuddled up together at night, played, seemed to miss each other when one was out.

We had to rehome one in the end. They were so much happier alone.

I had a year old neutered female cat (she's my baby) her brother was run over so after a while I got a male 8 week old kitten she was annoyed hissing and growling not happy kept them separated at night and didn't leave them alone together then the cat just started tolerating him he's here 2 months now he loves her tries to play with her etc she will play with him if she feels like it but this week one day it was raining and they both were curled up in the cat bed I was delighted.

Mine was a year I was told to do it sooner rather than later. Kept separate for a week on a night but during the day it was harder! Swapped scents and my girl would go outside to have a sulk. There was lots of scrapping but no violence although it looked it! They soon bonded and are best friends. I've definitely being pushed to the side. Can you face that?

Mine still fight some nearly 4 months in. But they also settle, this afternoon the kitten slept on a friend and my big cat snuggled on my knee.

I keep them apart for any significant amount of time I'm away from them so nightimes and long days at work. But big cat is nearly 10.

I therefore completely agree with Each do it as soon as you can! I did a slow intro... still a bit of a nightmare... maybe I shouldn't have taken the kitten. But he's really lit up my life!!

Watching with interest. Would love another cat in the future

I have 5 cats aged 7, 6, 4 & 11months & 7 months.
My oldest was a year when we got a second ...we bought a feliway diffuser to plug in ...it helps keep the cats feeling calm. We kept them separate for the first few days if we werent there. There was some hissing & spitting at first but before long they wrre playing together & curling up to sleep together. .

My first cat was one when we brought a kitten into the house, she did not take to her at all, hissing and attacking me and the kitten, this went on for a little whil (can't remember how long) then suddenly woke up one day to the kitten trying to nurse off of the older cat, and the older cat allowing her to, this went n for sometime then stopped, they now get a long just fine but still sometimes hiss and slap, but this is just the norm with them. They go from slapping and hissing to grooming eachother.

I've got 9 cats who happily reside together. Just make you have enough litter trays and separate cats friendly sleeping spaces for each cats

For me this means I have 4 tower scratching posts, two bunk bed sleeping boxes and my window dressing table has a large dog bed on it now capable of having three cats watching the world go by whilst chilling out!

Sad cat lady to the end and proud!

I recently added two, eight-week old toms to my 12 yo boy. There were a couple of days of hiding under the sofa and hissing but they all settled down beautifully.

I've had about 15 cats over the last 35 years, always a female and two males of varying ages.

When we've introduced new ones, usually after one has died from old age, we've generally got 2-3 year olds from a rescue centre, so generally little history.

We usually park new addition in the sitting room with us until they seem comfortable, then allow existing cats to introduce themselves when they want to. Takes a bit of juggling, if new moggie knows about cat flaps!

Mostly, there's a bit of hissing and posturing, then it all settles down, so long as they can all get away from each other. A bit of benign neglect goes a long way, if you feel stressed, they'll pick up on it.

In your position I'd go for a youngish male that's been socialised with other cats, you're local rescue can probably advise on suitable candidates, they'll probably have plenty. That said, last time I got talked into a 12 year old male and he settled immediately in with my 4 year old female, so don't discount an older cat.

Good luck, I'm sure you'll be fine!

I had my first cat for 2 years and rescued a 12 week old female cat. Went about introducing them the right way I was advised segregation, letting them smell each other, slowly introducing them. My cat hated her, I had to return her after 2 & a half weeks it was awful.

Forward 2 years! A stray cat had kittens in my neighbours garage, my dog fell in love with a fistey little white one. Took her home, introduced them straight away and left them to it. My cat was moody for a few days but i found them snuggling after about 4 days.

So I don’t know if it was the method, the timing or the cat that made a difference.

Folly you do know that cats looking out of the window is actually cats' TV don't you? Ours has 3 channels (living room window, kitchen window and bedroom window). Each channel shows different programmes and if she doesn't like what she sees on one channel she'll saunter over to another.

We had a really young rescue female kitten , about 6 months in got another rescue boy cat who was about 1/2. Tried gradually introducing. My female cat freaked out, mouth got all swollen from stress...anyways 8 years on...she tolerates him!! He'd love to cuddle up I think but she won't have it. I'm wanting another kitten or puppy but dreading what she will be like!