Should I get a new Kitten?

[simplefree]

I got my beautiful cat in 2020 as a kitten - I was living in the ground floor and raised him to go out to the patio, shared garden and further - it was a very green neighbourhood and lovely people around who loved him. He loved climbing on trees, chasing bees, lying on the grass, exploring, playing with other cats and visiting the neighbours.

Due to a change of circumstances I had to move out immediately (long story) and ended up on a flat on the 9th floor. My cat had a hard time adapting and my heart broke seeing him looking out on the balcony and the window, walking around looking for something interesting to do. During the heat wave I left one of the windows opened slightly wider and found him standing on the window ledge outside - 9th floor! Luckily I scooped him back in but was terrified and very sad.

I then found 2 ladies who were happy to re-home him. Lady 1 had a sudden health issue when we were talking about details so I ended up going with Lady 2...she loved him a lot and had an awesome garden for him but her husband didn't adapt having a cat at home for whatever reason and after 2 months she said she wanted to re-home him. I told her that I wanted him back and meanwhile got in touch with Lady 1 and explained the situation and she was happy to have him. So Lady 2 took him to Lady 1 who already had a cat and gave it a good go for about 2-3 weeks but the cats didn't get along very well and her neighbour's cat was getting involved too so she asked me to get him back.

So he came home and I was so happy! He acted like he never left. But I still worry that he is sad and bored and I am not giving him a good life. He doesn't play with toys anymore so I don't know what to do. People say that I am projecting and he has no feelings and is happy just to be around from one room to another, eat and sleep. I wish I could believe.

I ended up signing him up to a rescue charity under the condition that he is adopted by a cat lover with outside space and in a calm household - he is on the waiting list. But another idea would be to get a young kitten who is not territorial yet to keep him company and give him feline friendship. I think it could work. And the new cat will not suffer from not being outdoors because it would not be part of his life experience anyway.

I am also trying to move back to a ground floor home but it is difficult. I am a council tenant and my only chance is by exchanging. People hate high rising blocks and are crazy for ground floor. I don't mind and the only reason I want to move again is to benefit my cat.

What do you think?

I think rehoming is the best idea. If he didn't get on with a new kitten you'd have to keep them apart and he'd have even less space and be more stressed.

I've twice tried to introduce a kitten to an older cat, and in neither case has the older cat bonded with the kitten. In the most recent case the older cat was only about two years old, and they didn't exactly fight, but they never played together either. They're now both adults, and an uneasy peace has broken out, but they both seem to appreciate being able to escape to other rooms or indeed outdoors. So, there is a risk that your two won't get on - and the fact that your cat didn't get on very well with the cat it was rehomed with, doesn't fill me with confidence in that respect.

OP I’m sorry you had to leave your other home. You’re doing a fantastic job looking after him. I’m sure he does miss his outdoor roaming life (and of course he has feelings, no matter what your friends say!), but that doesn’t necessarily mean that he’d be better off elsewhere. He might live on a wonderful farm but then get run over by a farm vehicle, or on the road, or he might lose an eye in a catfight like my cat did. The outdoors life does have risks. Inside with you he will miss roaming, but he’s avoiding cars, animal attacks, fleas, ticks, communicable diseases, etc. He has access to fresh air and a balcony and that’s a lot. Just keep an eye on his exercise level and mental stimulation. Maybe create some things for him to climb up, like stackable shelves or piles of cushions, and some tunnels to crawl through eg under leaning cushions.

I wouldn’t get a kitten. He might like it but he probably wouldn’t, most cats hate all other cats and like being the only pet. Just keep up the cuddles and trying to interest him in play. Cats do get much less playful as they age though and he may just be growing out of some games.

You obviously love him very much and I suspect that he’s much better off with you than with some other family who might not look after him as well.

Some people come on here, ask for advice and comments, but completely disregard them and do what they want anyway.

Get a massive dog as well.

My cat used to be a complete outdoor cat. She would not stay in and would jump out of windows to get outdoors.

We had to move and she cannot be outside anymore.

It took a few weeks but she adapted. She wanders out when it’s really hot and the back door is open but 99.9% she is totally indoors.

I would give him time. Lots of love and treats and he will adapt. He would rather be with you.

OP has received a wide range of different advice and opinions on this thread. Are you just annoyed she isn’t taking yours?

Another thing - if you do decide to get a kitten OP, a male one might be better. Females are more dominant and your established cat might not want to lose his place in the pecking order!

Also it’s really not true that cats prefer to be solitary.

The charity called me today to book the day I will hand my car over.
I’m so sad and emotional.
They said that their average time lenght rehoming a cat is 21 days but because mine is young and healthy they predict he will go faster. And they are confident they can find a home that will fit his needs (garden / no dogs / no small children).
I know this is probably the best thing to do for him but so difficult.