Companion for Kitten?

Hi,


I have a spayed female kitten (a month or so old?). She's an indoor
cat and is pretty needy (meows when I'm not around, etc...).

I work full time and I spend time with friends on weekends, so there
are long periods when she's alone at home. I want to do what's best
for her, so I have a few questions:


1) Should I get another kitten to keep her company? If so, what
gender should the kitten be?

2) Should I give her away to folks who already have some cats? I
don't know if she's "bonded" with me or not so I don't know how much
it would hurt her to part company with me.


Thanks.

Kittens often do better in pairs. I would suggest a little (neutered) boy.

--
Joe
http://www.jwpitt.com/cats.htm
Cat Rescue http://www.animalrescuefoundation.com
God created the cat so man could have the pleasure of petting the tiger


wrote in message
m...
Hi,


I have a spayed female kitten (a month or so old?). She's an indoor
cat and is pretty needy (meows when I'm not around, etc...).

I work full time and I spend time with friends on weekends, so there
are long periods when she's alone at home. I want to do what's best
for her, so I have a few questions:


1) Should I get another kitten to keep her company? If so, what
gender should the kitten be?

2) Should I give her away to folks who already have some cats? I
don't know if she's "bonded" with me or not so I don't know how much
it would hurt her to part company with me.


Thanks.

Remember that cats do not need to be social creatures - unlike the
pack-orientated dog; they function happily on their own without a social
structure around them. They are unlikely to feel the 'need' for a companion
even though you would wish to have another cat around. Moreover, you cannot
force cats to like each other - some will live with a newcomer easily,
others will never relate, or they may just manage to live alongside each
other in an uneasy truce - you can only try. However, if there is no
competition for food or safe sleeping places (as in most good homes) then
cats will accept each other eventually and some will even seem to form close
bonds with one another. In conclusion, getting another cat may not solve the
problem, nor would getting rid of the cat. Do you think if you keep the cat
for the remainder of its life, your personal life will settle down in the
future, enabling you to have more time to spend at home? If you do, and you
like the idea of having a cat, keep her. If you don't think you are going to
settle down, and don't like the idea of having a cat, then by all means find
her a good home. As you probably already know, the transition the kitten
will have to make into a new home will be easier at a younger age. In my
opinion, it has always been easier to find a kitten a home, rather than a
one to two year old cat. The fact that she is already house broken and an
indoor cat helps. If you do decide to get another kitten, I suggest you find
one at or about the same age as the kitten you already have. That way there
won't be any competition for food or sleeping areas, until they are older
and have already established personal spaces or boundaries in your home.
Regarding the gender of a new cat, that is purely up to you. Many people
like to mix the genders if they have two cats and some do not. If you get a
kitten at or about the same age as the kitten you already have, as they
mature they will hopefully bond and become fond of the others presence
because. If you find another kitten that is a little older and a little
larger, you may be setting yourself up for disaster. As you already know
temperament of cats are unique. Should you decided to mix the gender, and
find a male kitten; make sure you find one at or about the same age and size
as the kitten, you have and neuter him. If you do want to have another
kitten, you should ask around and see what other people have done in your
situation, regarding mixing genders. Maybe they can shed some light on how
their experience with their cat's relationship matured, and problems you may
face in the long run... I hope this helps.

On Mon, 03 Nov 2003 16:52:41 GMT, "Iso" wrote:

Remember that cats do not need to be social creatures

Yes they do - they are highly social creatures.

- unlike the
pack-orientated dog; they function happily on their own without a social
structure around them.

No they do not, that is one of the most common causes of stress in
cats.


--
Bob.

You have not been charged for this lesson. Please pass it to all your
friends so they may learn as well.

"Bob Brenchley." wrote in message
...
On Mon, 03 Nov 2003 16:52:41 GMT, "Iso" wrote:

Remember that cats do not need to be social creatures

Yes they do - they are highly social creatures.

Try telling this to Matilda. Nothing she loves more (apart from her chow)
than to skin another cat. :c)

- unlike the
pack-orientated dog; they function happily on their own without a social
structure around them.

No they do not, that is one of the most common causes of stress in
cats.

Oh I know! Matilda gets very stressed when she isn't able to socialize with
other cats in her special way. LOL

Judy


--
Bob.

You have not been charged for this lesson. Please pass it to all your
friends so they may learn as well.

On Mon, 3 Nov 2003 23:36:35 -0500, "Judy"
wrote:


"Bob Brenchley." wrote in message
.. .
On Mon, 03 Nov 2003 16:52:41 GMT, "Iso" wrote:

Remember that cats do not need to be social creatures

Yes they do - they are highly social creatures.

Try telling this to Matilda. Nothing she loves more (apart from her chow)
than to skin another cat. :c)

Indeed, but establishing their status in the local social order is
part of the social nature of cats.

- unlike the
pack-orientated dog; they function happily on their own without a social
structure around them.

No they do not, that is one of the most common causes of stress in
cats.

Oh I know! Matilda gets very stressed when she isn't able to socialize with
other cats in her special way. LOL

I know a couple of humans like that

Judy

--
Bob.

Laugh and the world laughs with you... Cry, and the world looks
sheepish and suddenly remembers it had other plans.

"Bob Brenchley." wrote in message
...
On Mon, 3 Nov 2003 23:36:35 -0500, "Judy"
wrote:


"Bob Brenchley." wrote in message
.. .
On Mon, 03 Nov 2003 16:52:41 GMT, "Iso" wrote:

Remember that cats do not need to be social creatures

Yes they do - they are highly social creatures.

Try telling this to Matilda. Nothing she loves more (apart from her chow)
than to skin another cat. :c)

Indeed, but establishing their status in the local social order is
part of the social nature of cats.

I agree and when it comes to the local social order - Matilda prefers to be
on top of things.


- unlike the
pack-orientated dog; they function happily on their own without a
social
structure around them.

No they do not, that is one of the most common causes of stress in
cats.

Oh I know! Matilda gets very stressed when she isn't able to socialize
with
other cats in her special way. LOL

I know a couple of humans like that

How true! At times there's nothing better than a good "hissy fit." Keeps
life interesting and the ball rolling. :c)

Judy

--
Bob.

Laugh and the world laughs with you... Cry, and the world looks
sheepish and suddenly remembers it had other plans.

"Bob Brenchley." wrote in message
...
On Mon, 3 Nov 2003 23:36:35 -0500, "Judy"
wrote:


"Bob Brenchley." wrote in message
.. .
On Mon, 03 Nov 2003 16:52:41 GMT, "Iso" wrote:

Remember that cats do not need to be social creatures

Yes they do - they are highly social creatures.

Try telling this to Matilda. Nothing she loves more (apart from her chow)
than to skin another cat. :c)

Indeed, but establishing their status in the local social order is
part of the social nature of cats.

I agree and when it comes to the local social order - Matilda prefers to be
on top of things.


- unlike the
pack-orientated dog; they function happily on their own without a
social
structure around them.

No they do not, that is one of the most common causes of stress in
cats.

Oh I know! Matilda gets very stressed when she isn't able to socialize
with
other cats in her special way. LOL

I know a couple of humans like that

How true! At times there's nothing better than a good "hissy fit." Keeps
life interesting and the ball rolling. :c)

Judy

--
Bob.

Laugh and the world laughs with you... Cry, and the world looks
sheepish and suddenly remembers it had other plans.

On Mon, 3 Nov 2003 23:36:35 -0500, "Judy"
wrote:


"Bob Brenchley." wrote in message
.. .
On Mon, 03 Nov 2003 16:52:41 GMT, "Iso" wrote:

Remember that cats do not need to be social creatures

Yes they do - they are highly social creatures.

Try telling this to Matilda. Nothing she loves more (apart from her chow)
than to skin another cat. :c)

Indeed, but establishing their status in the local social order is
part of the social nature of cats.

- unlike the
pack-orientated dog; they function happily on their own without a social
structure around them.

No they do not, that is one of the most common causes of stress in
cats.

Oh I know! Matilda gets very stressed when she isn't able to socialize with
other cats in her special way. LOL

I know a couple of humans like that

Judy

--
Bob.

Laugh and the world laughs with you... Cry, and the world looks
sheepish and suddenly remembers it had other plans.

"Bob Brenchley." wrote in message
...
On Mon, 03 Nov 2003 16:52:41 GMT, "Iso" wrote:

Remember that cats do not need to be social creatures

Yes they do - they are highly social creatures.

Try telling this to Matilda. Nothing she loves more (apart from her chow)
than to skin another cat. :c)

- unlike the
pack-orientated dog; they function happily on their own without a social
structure around them.

No they do not, that is one of the most common causes of stress in
cats.

Oh I know! Matilda gets very stressed when she isn't able to socialize with
other cats in her special way. LOL

Judy


--
Bob.

You have not been charged for this lesson. Please pass it to all your
friends so they may learn as well.


"Bob Brenchley." wrote in message
...
On Mon, 03 Nov 2003 16:52:41 GMT, "Iso" wrote:

Remember that cats do not need to be social creatures

Yes they do - they are highly social creatures.

- unlike the
pack-orientated dog; they function happily on their own without a social
structure around them.

No they do not, that is one of the most common causes of stress in
cats.


--
Bob.

You have not been charged for this lesson. Please pass it to all your
friends so they may learn as well.