Should we get another cat?

[SilverPeacock]

We have a 3 year old male cat. Dd wants another one. We have dog also and had 2 dogs when we first got him so he is used to not being the only pet. He’s independent and not particularly cuddly but also think he’s probably quite territorial as he’s outside a lot and sometimes has minor scuffles with other cats. I don’t want to make him unhappy. If you have got a second one how did it go?

I think if you get a kitten (or two) you will be fine as he won’t feel threatened and by the time they grow up he will be used to it. An adult cat might be trickier.

I've only ever had adult cat rescues, no dogs. I always pray they'll get along, and so far it's worked out, generally. Even the ones that haven't liked each other, haven't caused severe problems, however, I have had to keep several of them separate, which would be a pain in a busy household. My house isn't busy, so I can manage the moggies without much hassle. It's not ideal, but you just can't tell if they'll get along until they're esconsed😁

Thanks both. I’d prefer to rescue really but not sure how possible that would be with the dog in the mix as well.

Depends entirely on your cats temperament.

we got rescues and they eventually all got on. The older cat is happy so long as he’s fussed and given food first and so long as DH spends a while stroking him and telling him he’s beautiful.

younger cats aren’t fussed and are a bit mad.

we did keep them separate initially and gradually introduce them, we also had feliway plug ins and sprays all over the house for a while.

a friend had problems introducing new kittens to her cat, older cat got upset and moved next door… then friend caught her new kittens visiting next door and checking out her older cats food bowl! 😆

Have you observed how he gets on with other cats? I have a 3 year old male cat, also spends most of his day outdoors and seems quite territorial. Definitely doesn't get on with other cats. He and his sister tolerate each other but he gets quite possessive (if she's sleeping on my lap he will bite her - not hard, but to let her k if she's in his spot). I see him chasing away neighbours cats from his "patch" too.

I am keen to foster kittens but haven't so far as I am fairly sure he will freak out.

We have three unrelated cats and have never once had an issue.

They're now 7, 5 and 2 years old, two males and a female, all neutered. We've never had a fight though we do get the odd hiss and swipe occasionally, but that's normal in a multi-cat household.

I would go for it, but maybe get an opposite sex kitten rather than another male cat.

@violetbunny yes mine is bit like yours so this was my worry. He does sometimes fight with other neighbourhood cats. But he is fairly laid back in other ways.He loves the dog for instance. She is less enamoured with him though. I would definitely get a female if we decide to do it.

Does your daughter want another cat because your current boy isn't particularly cuddly?

Maybe think through what you would do if it didn't work out. A few years ago I worked with someone who had a rather expensive Russian Blue, gorgeous boy. They got a kitten thinking he would accept her (ie opposite sex and tiny so non threatening) but he basically moved out and lived in the garden. It was really sad, they eventually rehomed him.

As someone upthread said, you don't know how they'll get on until they're ensconced.

@GingerFigs yes that is partly it and I have said to her a new one might not be cuddly either. And I would hate to upset our boy to that degree

If he’s territorial I wouldn’t do it. An upset cat can and will do all sorts to let you know he’s upset. I would give him time. He’s only three. Your daughter can bond with him by playing with him and just spending time with him. There’s nothing wrong with him.

If a cat hasn't lived with other cats by the time they're around 2yrs old they tend to get very used to being on their own and it becomes much more challenging to introduce new cats into the household. It does depend on personality to a degree, as others have said, and could still work, but while I would say go for it if you had a younger cat, as yours is 3 yrs old and quite territorial there's a risk he might struggle to accept another cat so you'll need to be prepared for that. If your DD wants something to cuddle, would guinea pigs be an option? They're much more amenable to cuddles on demand than cats!

I'd say no tbh
Sorry. We have 2 cats, sister, from a rescue who over time a become to hate each other. I've previously posted about looking at rehoming one due to fighting. I think cats are pretty independent and don't need company like dogs do as such

@SilverPeacock
We introduced a silver tabby to our male British Blue who was 3 and he was immediately very aggressive towards the silver tabby male kitten. He was not the friendliest of cats in the first place but another cat in his house brought out the worst in him. Both were lovely cats and the silver tabby was friendly. My British Blue was never going to leave home but we had to separate them at mealtimes.

You cannot assume a cat will tolerate another one in its home and if it’s already territorial, then you don’t have much chance in my view. The new cat won’t have a great time.,

If you have a male cat who is used to being a only cat (dogs don’t count) I think you’d be mad, and kinda cruel, to bring another cat into his territory. It might go well but it almost certainly will result in lots of fights and tears and probably one of the cats ending up in a new home.

I hear that your DD wants another one. Kids want lots of things. Tell her no or get her something else instead.

Ps I have two cats. Siblings, together from birth. They despise each other and avoid each other - when they’re not deliberately tormenting each other. I’ll never have two again!

No I wouldn’t. He’s already sharing with two dogs. It seems very unfair on him and would likely lead to two stressed cats not one cuddly one.