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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Should I get kitten with older cat?

22 replies

Melon2312 · 24/04/2024 19:29

I’ve been really feeling the urge to get another cat recently. Currently have one female cat who’s 12, absolutely adore her but feel like I still have more kitty love to give 😀

I also feel like she might like a companion, if she had a chance to get used to them. She is generally quite wary of other cats but where we used to live there were some really “bully” cats who used to terrorise her, so understandable really. However I wonder if she would feel less threatened by a kitten, if introduced slowly and following all the correct guidance of course? I feel like she’d appreciate the company as she’s quite a needy cat, especially when we go away on holiday, I hate the thought of her being alone all day save for someone popping in to feed her.

I just can’t decide though if I’m being selfish by wanting to get another, when it could potentially upset and stress her out?? Our local rescue currently have kittens up for adoption, so feel like this could be my opportunity to go for it!

grateful for any advice

OP posts:
MagicKittens · 24/04/2024 19:32

You would, in all honesty, be better not. Older solitary cats don't tend to want juvenile company.

But if you do go for it, get two kittens so that they can pounce on each other, and she can just roll her eyes at them from a distance.

Original poster
Melon2312 · 24/04/2024 19:35

Do you think an older rescue cat would be a better option, or is that just as bad but in different ways? I do so badly want another!

2 kittens would be amazing, but I think I’ll have a hard time persuading my husband to go for one let alone two! 😂

OP posts:
StopTheGreyness · 24/04/2024 19:36

Definitely get two kittens instead of one. They keep one another entertained and it stops them bothering the older cat when they want to play. My older cats enjoy watching the kitten, they love him and he keeps them entertained with his daft antics but I think he would definitely have benefitted from a playmate his own age. The older ones do enjoy playing with him when they feel like it but they don't want to play with him ALL THE TIME.

StopTheGreyness · 24/04/2024 19:37

Older cats tend to see kittens as less of a threat TBH. They give them 'kitten licence' whereas they can see an older cat as competition. It all depends on the cats concerned though.

Original poster
Melon2312 · 24/04/2024 19:43

That’s what I was thinking about the “kitten license” @StopTheGreyness 😂. We have rabbits who live outdoors but free roam in the garden sometimes and she seems to want to be near them and make friends, but unfortunately the boy rabbit has no time for it and always chases her off, haha!

I feel like she is quite playful for an older cat, although she does spend a lot of time sleeping too.

OP posts:
StopTheGreyness · 24/04/2024 22:04

Melon2312 · 24/04/2024 19:43

That’s what I was thinking about the “kitten license” @StopTheGreyness 😂. We have rabbits who live outdoors but free roam in the garden sometimes and she seems to want to be near them and make friends, but unfortunately the boy rabbit has no time for it and always chases her off, haha!

I feel like she is quite playful for an older cat, although she does spend a lot of time sleeping too.

Laughing at boy rabbit chasing her off. Poor puss!* *Grin

KeeeeeepDancing · 24/04/2024 22:08

No!!!! Do not do it! Your older cat will hate the kitten. Speaking from experience. It does NOT work.

Beamur · 24/04/2024 22:12

My 2 kittens ganged up on my older cat. They're not actually kittens now and have all learned to get along. They still take their rough play out on each other though.
It's really hard to say - your cat might take to a kitten or she may be outraged. If you decide to go for it - get a male kitten..

fieldsofbutterflies · 24/04/2024 22:35

It really depends on your cat and her personality, but at that age I'd probably say it's best not to, especially as she's never lived with another cat before.

My oldest was eight when we got our latest kitten but he's always lived with other cats and has never shown any aggression towards them at all.

IthinkIamAnAlien · 24/04/2024 22:46

We had two cats and were persuaded to take on an adult rabbit who we allowed to live free range. He turned out to be rampant and liked nothing better than finding a sleeping cat in the bushes... Anything furry...... 😁 Sorry, couldn't resist!

Re the OP, we once took on a kitten for an adult rescue cat who we thought was lonely. It was fine at first until the kitten got to six months or so and began to bully the original adult cat. In the end I couldn't stand the stress and had to rehome the kitten. I felt terrible. It's very hard to know what to do for the best.

Wolfiefan · 24/04/2024 22:48

Kittens are a PITA.
You want another cat but admit she is wary of others.
Put her first. Don’t do it.

Iloveanicegarden · 24/04/2024 22:51

Thank you posters. We recently had our boy cat PTS and his sister seems to be missing him and I did think 'kitten'.....but perhaps not

SandrenaIsMyBloodType · 24/04/2024 23:01

Cats are not pack animals. They don’t generally enjoy living with other cats. They can certainly learn to tolerate each other but sometimes even sibling cats who have lived together since birth can fall out to the extent that they need rehoming.
If you want to get another cat because YOU want one then consider it but if you are thinking about whether your other cat might like the company, then don’t.

TheLongRider · 25/04/2024 09:42

Two kittens definitely. Our 12 year old cat plays with our kittens. Bizarrely I've found that three cats seems to work well as a group. There's always at least two of them playing at any time and the third can get some peace. And then they switch roles!

Original poster
Melon2312 · 25/04/2024 20:30

Thank you for all your advice. I’m going to hold off for now but will reconsider if I can’t shake the itch to get another!

OP posts:
anythinginapinch · 25/04/2024 20:50

My older cat loved it when I "got him a sister kitten" - but he clearly was very positive towards other cats generally. So I think not, if she doesn't like other cats much.

fieldsofbutterflies · 25/04/2024 20:50

Cats are not pack animals. They don’t generally enjoy living with other cats.

I'm not sure I agree with this.

Left to their own devices, cats do form colonies and will team up together for things like shelter and other resources.

The issue is many people don't have adequate space or resources for multiple cats.

humus · 25/04/2024 21:01

No definitely not older cat won’t be happy

ClaudiaWrinklemum · 25/04/2024 21:09

SandrenaIsMyBloodType · 24/04/2024 23:01

Cats are not pack animals. They don’t generally enjoy living with other cats. They can certainly learn to tolerate each other but sometimes even sibling cats who have lived together since birth can fall out to the extent that they need rehoming.
If you want to get another cat because YOU want one then consider it but if you are thinking about whether your other cat might like the company, then don’t.

This just isn’t true. Cats live in colonies when they’re not domesticated and can be perfectly happy in multicat households.

I agree that two kittens is the best solution.

Tamuchly · 25/04/2024 22:09

Well, we have an almost 12 year old female cat and will be welcoming a pair of kittens next month. She is reasonably sociable with other cats and is clearly missing our male cat who passed earlier this month (even though they didn’t ever spend time together outside as he used to get beaten up a lot). They used to curl up together indoors in winter though!

I think she will either ignore them or duff them up a bit but, with a bit of luck, they might give her a new lease of life as she does seem very down at the moment.

Beamur · 25/04/2024 22:20

Cats have social relationships with other cats. They're not all solitary creatures - although some are.
My outdoor cat has mates who come and hang out with him. But they need sufficient space and resources not to bicker.

StopTheGreyness · 26/04/2024 21:50

SandrenaIsMyBloodType · 24/04/2024 23:01

Cats are not pack animals. They don’t generally enjoy living with other cats. They can certainly learn to tolerate each other but sometimes even sibling cats who have lived together since birth can fall out to the extent that they need rehoming.
If you want to get another cat because YOU want one then consider it but if you are thinking about whether your other cat might like the company, then don’t.

This is just not true. Many cats like hanging out with other cats, it just depends on their personalities. I had one male cat that grieved for another female cat for a year - she was like his mum and they snuggled up together from the moment I bought him home as a kitten. All my cats have got along and I've had five over the years, I've always had at least two at a time and often three. They potter about together, sleep near each other, play together and generally enjoy being near each other. Often they'll need a bit of quiet time and go off for a snooze on their own but generally they are good company for one another. Currently, I have two males and a female. Two of them cuddle up together and spend most of their time together. The older cat is relaxed with the other two and often spends time with them but doesn't snuggle up and needs a break from them sometimes. He still seeks them out when he's in the mood for company though.

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