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Friend for chatty cat?



 
 
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  #1  
Old July 20th 03, 02:58 PM
Kirilaw
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Posts: n/a
Default Friend for chatty cat?

I have one cat, a brown tabby named Spenser, who's a year and four
months old. I adoped him at the Humane Society last summer. He's a
very sweet, rather timid cat, and also the noisiest cat I have ever
met. He just seems to like the sound of his own voice!

I'm concerned that he seems to need more attention than I (or any one
person) am capable of giving him -- I play with him when I get home
from work, but he's still raring to go at bedtime. I have to shut him
out of my bedroom just to get some sleep.

I've been thinking about getting a buddy for him, so that he would
have someone to play with when I can't be around. I'm hoping it would
reduce the intensity and frequency of the cries for attention. My
worry, though, is that I'd end up with two cats crying at me in the
middle of the night!

I know that it's impossible to guarantee that two cats will get along,
but are there any general rules about what kind of pairings work best?
Male or female? Kitten or older cat? Any hints, tips or suggestions
would be appreciated. Thanks!

Beth
--
"I wanted so desperately to say
That you could trust me
But I was lying anyway"
-Beth Orton
  #4  
Old July 21st 03, 12:54 AM
Purplecat
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Perhaps go back to the Human Society and have a chat to them about Spenser's
personality - hopefully they'll be able to help match an appropriate buddy
for you - ie one which is not too dominating as you don't want it
overpowering your timid boy. I've been told countless times that male and
female is generally easier to work with, although I'm personally doing ok
with my two females - depends a lot on the individual cat I guess.

And lastly, can I *highly* recommend getting some Feliway for the
introduction. You'll have to talk to fellow Americans about the diffusers
because we don't have them in Aus, but I've been using the spray (just
spraying it all over the place, especially where they sleep, scratching
posts, corners of doors etc where they rub their heads). It's made an
*amazing* difference with my recent introduction of a new cat. I ran out
last week. It's been about 4-5 weeks so I thought it'd be fine, especially
as they'd started grooming each other a tiny bit (just a few licks but it's
a start!) Wrong. They started sleeping as far away from each other as
possible - ie other side of the room or leaving the room when the other
entered, the new comer started seeming a bit standoffish and 'bitchy'
towards us (she was pretty timid when we got her). I was getting really
worried things weren't going to work after all. Then I got another bottle of
Feliway - bingo! They're sleeping within a foot or two of each other again,
the new cat is much more relaxed and affectionate. It's getting expensive
after all these weeks, but it's well worth it IMO. I'm happy to keep it up
for as long as it takes.

As for worrying about being kept awake by two cats crying - well the worst
case scenario is that you lock them both out of your room. At least they'll
have each other which is better than your current situation.
Although do prepare yourself for the sounds of a couple of cats tearing
around the house like mad *******s. Still I can assure you it's a far less
invasive than the sound of a bored cat crying for attention.

Purplecat

"Kirilaw" wrote in message
...
I have one cat, a brown tabby named Spenser, who's a year and four
months old. I adoped him at the Humane Society last summer. He's a
very sweet, rather timid cat, and also the noisiest cat I have ever
met. He just seems to like the sound of his own voice!

I'm concerned that he seems to need more attention than I (or any one
person) am capable of giving him -- I play with him when I get home
from work, but he's still raring to go at bedtime. I have to shut him
out of my bedroom just to get some sleep.

I've been thinking about getting a buddy for him, so that he would
have someone to play with when I can't be around. I'm hoping it would
reduce the intensity and frequency of the cries for attention. My
worry, though, is that I'd end up with two cats crying at me in the
middle of the night!

I know that it's impossible to guarantee that two cats will get along,
but are there any general rules about what kind of pairings work best?
Male or female? Kitten or older cat? Any hints, tips or suggestions
would be appreciated. Thanks!

Beth
--
"I wanted so desperately to say
That you could trust me
But I was lying anyway"
-Beth Orton



  #5  
Old July 21st 03, 12:54 AM
Purplecat
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Perhaps go back to the Human Society and have a chat to them about Spenser's
personality - hopefully they'll be able to help match an appropriate buddy
for you - ie one which is not too dominating as you don't want it
overpowering your timid boy. I've been told countless times that male and
female is generally easier to work with, although I'm personally doing ok
with my two females - depends a lot on the individual cat I guess.

And lastly, can I *highly* recommend getting some Feliway for the
introduction. You'll have to talk to fellow Americans about the diffusers
because we don't have them in Aus, but I've been using the spray (just
spraying it all over the place, especially where they sleep, scratching
posts, corners of doors etc where they rub their heads). It's made an
*amazing* difference with my recent introduction of a new cat. I ran out
last week. It's been about 4-5 weeks so I thought it'd be fine, especially
as they'd started grooming each other a tiny bit (just a few licks but it's
a start!) Wrong. They started sleeping as far away from each other as
possible - ie other side of the room or leaving the room when the other
entered, the new comer started seeming a bit standoffish and 'bitchy'
towards us (she was pretty timid when we got her). I was getting really
worried things weren't going to work after all. Then I got another bottle of
Feliway - bingo! They're sleeping within a foot or two of each other again,
the new cat is much more relaxed and affectionate. It's getting expensive
after all these weeks, but it's well worth it IMO. I'm happy to keep it up
for as long as it takes.

As for worrying about being kept awake by two cats crying - well the worst
case scenario is that you lock them both out of your room. At least they'll
have each other which is better than your current situation.
Although do prepare yourself for the sounds of a couple of cats tearing
around the house like mad *******s. Still I can assure you it's a far less
invasive than the sound of a bored cat crying for attention.

Purplecat

"Kirilaw" wrote in message
...
I have one cat, a brown tabby named Spenser, who's a year and four
months old. I adoped him at the Humane Society last summer. He's a
very sweet, rather timid cat, and also the noisiest cat I have ever
met. He just seems to like the sound of his own voice!

I'm concerned that he seems to need more attention than I (or any one
person) am capable of giving him -- I play with him when I get home
from work, but he's still raring to go at bedtime. I have to shut him
out of my bedroom just to get some sleep.

I've been thinking about getting a buddy for him, so that he would
have someone to play with when I can't be around. I'm hoping it would
reduce the intensity and frequency of the cries for attention. My
worry, though, is that I'd end up with two cats crying at me in the
middle of the night!

I know that it's impossible to guarantee that two cats will get along,
but are there any general rules about what kind of pairings work best?
Male or female? Kitten or older cat? Any hints, tips or suggestions
would be appreciated. Thanks!

Beth
--
"I wanted so desperately to say
That you could trust me
But I was lying anyway"
-Beth Orton



  #6  
Old July 21st 03, 09:32 AM
Matt
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

While it is a great idea to get the cat a buddy I am not sure if it
will "shut him up". I have two cats one tom and one female who get
along pretty well and still the tom tries to chat with as soon as he
sees me. The tomcat (Nico) is a chatterbox he makes noises all the
time (different sounds for different situations), maybe he is trying
to talk to me or like you said he just likes the tone of his voice. He
was pretty talkative when we picked him up from the shelter and we
thought it was because he didn't like it there. It might be a good
idea to get a more quiet cat so that you don't end up with two noise
machines.
  #7  
Old July 21st 03, 09:32 AM
Matt
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

While it is a great idea to get the cat a buddy I am not sure if it
will "shut him up". I have two cats one tom and one female who get
along pretty well and still the tom tries to chat with as soon as he
sees me. The tomcat (Nico) is a chatterbox he makes noises all the
time (different sounds for different situations), maybe he is trying
to talk to me or like you said he just likes the tone of his voice. He
was pretty talkative when we picked him up from the shelter and we
thought it was because he didn't like it there. It might be a good
idea to get a more quiet cat so that you don't end up with two noise
machines.
  #8  
Old July 22nd 03, 01:46 PM
dgk
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Sun, 20 Jul 2003 09:58:47 -0400, Kirilaw
wrote:

I have one cat, a brown tabby named Spenser, who's a year and four
months old. I adoped him at the Humane Society last summer. He's a
very sweet, rather timid cat, and also the noisiest cat I have ever
met. He just seems to like the sound of his own voice!

I'm concerned that he seems to need more attention than I (or any one
person) am capable of giving him -- I play with him when I get home
from work, but he's still raring to go at bedtime. I have to shut him
out of my bedroom just to get some sleep.

I've been thinking about getting a buddy for him, so that he would
have someone to play with when I can't be around. I'm hoping it would
reduce the intensity and frequency of the cries for attention. My
worry, though, is that I'd end up with two cats crying at me in the
middle of the night!

I know that it's impossible to guarantee that two cats will get along,
but are there any general rules about what kind of pairings work best?
Male or female? Kitten or older cat? Any hints, tips or suggestions
would be appreciated. Thanks!

Beth


You seem to have picked up pretty good advice already but I'll add
mine. I have two ex-male cats and they get along fine. I always have
two cats so they keep each other company and mostly it works out.
Unless you have a cat that wants to be solo I think it is the only
way to go. Your's doesn't sound like a solo cat.

I don't think you'll be getting wake up calls at night (no guarantee!)
but they do take turns at 5:30 am trying for breakfast. I don't mean
one each day, I mean one each 3 minutes. Sort of like a snooze alarm.
I suppose I can train them to leave me alone (sure) but I just feed
them and then go back to bed. Well, for another 15 minutes or so since
I get up by 6 to go to work anyway.

  #9  
Old July 22nd 03, 01:46 PM
dgk
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Sun, 20 Jul 2003 09:58:47 -0400, Kirilaw
wrote:

I have one cat, a brown tabby named Spenser, who's a year and four
months old. I adoped him at the Humane Society last summer. He's a
very sweet, rather timid cat, and also the noisiest cat I have ever
met. He just seems to like the sound of his own voice!

I'm concerned that he seems to need more attention than I (or any one
person) am capable of giving him -- I play with him when I get home
from work, but he's still raring to go at bedtime. I have to shut him
out of my bedroom just to get some sleep.

I've been thinking about getting a buddy for him, so that he would
have someone to play with when I can't be around. I'm hoping it would
reduce the intensity and frequency of the cries for attention. My
worry, though, is that I'd end up with two cats crying at me in the
middle of the night!

I know that it's impossible to guarantee that two cats will get along,
but are there any general rules about what kind of pairings work best?
Male or female? Kitten or older cat? Any hints, tips or suggestions
would be appreciated. Thanks!

Beth


You seem to have picked up pretty good advice already but I'll add
mine. I have two ex-male cats and they get along fine. I always have
two cats so they keep each other company and mostly it works out.
Unless you have a cat that wants to be solo I think it is the only
way to go. Your's doesn't sound like a solo cat.

I don't think you'll be getting wake up calls at night (no guarantee!)
but they do take turns at 5:30 am trying for breakfast. I don't mean
one each day, I mean one each 3 minutes. Sort of like a snooze alarm.
I suppose I can train them to leave me alone (sure) but I just feed
them and then go back to bed. Well, for another 15 minutes or so since
I get up by 6 to go to work anyway.

 




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