At what point should we get a new cat (if ever)

[delilabell]

We have always had rescue cats but just one at a time. I wanted two together this time but we got "chosen" by a 7 month old instead 🙄
She's now 15months old. Lovely and crazy. Fab eith our children (8&4) every time one of dcs cried she runs over and licks them! She plays with out pet rabbit and is v content.
I still love the idea of two though!
Shall I just ignore my cat broodiness or is it something we could do?

Most cats will at the very least tolerate each other after some time. Many will become friends. Obviously your new cat should be selected on the basis of liking other cats - so that's half the battle. Has your current cat every met any other cats? Outside for example? It would be useful to know how she reacts.

It would be nice for you to give another cat a home, but you just can't tell in advance if they'll get along nicely. All of my cats have been older cats from the street and very few of them have bonded, but they've tolerated each other and haven't caused trouble. I've only ever had one trouble-maker who thinks she can bully one of my other cats, and because of this, I have to keep them separate. It's really inconvenient, but she will not change, so my life at home is spent keeping her away from the one that she bullies. I'm used to it now, but it's a nuisance making sure that she doesn't escape from the kitchen where she's confined to.

We rescued two brothers 2 yrs ago. Sadly one died suddenly in Feb. When lockdown looked imminent we contacted the rescue to offer our help with fostering as our remaining boy was missing his brother.
New girl is 1 year and desperate to be friends but our little boy is not amused. It's been a month.

Not all cats will accept a new cat.

Some will though- talk it through with the rescue

We have introduced a new cat twice, first a 10week old kitten to a 4 month old and then after she sadly died, an 8 week kitten to a year old cat. Both times there was hissing from the original cat and some prowling/nastiness, but both times the older cat ended up mothering the kitten, washing them, sleeping together etc. This took longer with the 1 year old cat than when we introduced 2 closer in age.

I think it can work but I would get a kitten not another established cat, and there's always the consideration that if all is harmonious at the moment it might be best not to rock the boat. I felt awful during the hissy phase and like we'd really messed up getting another.

However, now they're older they do play together, eat together and generally seem to like having another of their species around.

I wouldn't. We got two new kittens when our existing cat was around 13 and she hated them so much that she moved out and went to live with her another family around the corner. You never know how your cat will react to a new arrival.

It really depends on the personality of your cat and a potential new cat.
We're introduced 2 kittens (now 7 months old) to our 6 year old cat. Older cat not impressed but they co-exist in different parts of the house and there's no unpleasantness.
Of the 2 kittens (sisters) one is much friendlier than the other with other cats.
I think if we only had original cat and friendly kitten the dynamic would be totally different.
I reckon we could probably easily introduce about cat to friendly kitten but not her sister.

Really difficult to answer. I got a kitten when my current cat was 8, the kitten is now 2 and they can barely be in the same room, so we have to try to ensure they are separate. They occasionally sleep in the same room and we get excited then it's back to hissing and chasing 😬. However growing up I had 3 cats all introduced at different times and they tolerated each other no fights.

It's a difficult one isn't it? Yes deffo thinking about not rocking the boat. She seems to love other cats. We have cats either side of us and she keeps trying to make friends (doesn't get it that they shout and chase her off)
Something to ponder on

Personality must make a difference, our older cat is just lovely, really affectionate and sweet but then when she's out she's forever scrapping with neighborhood cats, not with her little 'sister' though.
I think there's deffo a good argument for a kitten too, even though our younger cat is now much bigger than older cat she still gets put in her place when she's being a pain, so it sets a hierarchy from the start.

If she seems to love other cats then ask the rescue to find you another cat that also loves other cats and I'm sure it will all be fine. I would go for it.

And I wouldn't get a kitten. I would go for an adult that definitely likes other cats.

Well some people describe rabbits as Vegan Cats so you're halfway there

@70isalimitnotatarget our rabbit is v similar to a cat! Snuggles on us lots when he comes in the house and they race around chasing each other then snuggle up together and our cat snuggles up to him and licks him 😊

I wouldn't. It sounds like a really nice dynamic with the rabbit atm.

Completly by chance one of the men who works with dh, his cats just had kittens. Makes it even worse!

Personally I wouldn't do a single thing that might risk the lovely dynamic between your cat & your kids and your cat & your rabbit!

Your cat might get on fine with a new car/kitten, but that might ruin the other relationships & I wouldn't risk it personally.

It's not a 'now or never' decision either...no rush