You love your cat and wonder if it would benefit from the companionship of another kitty. You, too, would love the pitter-patter of another kitty in the house. No doubt all your cat-loving friends will enthusiastically encourage you to get another kitty. So many cats need a home. The ASPCA estimates that over 3.2 million cats enter US shelters every year. That’s not even the full picture of homeless cats when you consider community cats and kittens that never make it into a shelter.
If you bring another cat into your household, you want a positive outcome. It would be far worse to have to surrender a cat back to shelter if things didn’t work out with your current pet. You, too, might find the extra expense and demand on your time challenging.
Before you open your heart to another feline and ask your current kitty to share “its digs,” there are some questions to ask yourself:
Will your cat accept another cat? Does your kitty seem content with the status quo? Some cats are social but others are quite happy being the only kitty. If you’ve seen your cat respond negatively to another cat – maybe a cat outside the window – it might act similarly if you bring another one into your home.
Also consider the age of your cat and the age of the cat you are considering adding to the family. An adult cat may not be as playful as a kitten, and so a bouncing youngster might drive your cat to distraction. By the same token, a young cat might want to play and will be unhappy in a situation where your older cat is not responsive.
Can you afford another cat? Consider all the paraphernalia you bought when you adopted your first cat. Are you financially prepared to outfit another cat with bedding, toys, bowls or another climber? And the cost of cat “stuff” pales when you start adding vet costs and food bills. You should be confident you can handle the expected expenses as well as the unexpected expenses that are sure to come up with a new kitty.
Do you have time to give to another cat? Ideally the two cats will offer each other companionship, but still your cats need time and attention from you? Do you have the time to meet the needs of another kitty, especially a young one who will seek out play time and expect you to be responsive?
Is your home prepared for another cat? How much cat proofing did your current cat require? Cat are often drawn to computer cords, for example. And even if the issue isn’t safety, cats can make a scratching post out of your best furniture. By now, you’ve figured that out and so have safeguarded your furnishings. However, a new cat may surprise you with its ingenious way of turning something you cherish around the house into a
toy. Are you ready to subject your belongings to another curious kitty?
After mulling over these questions and deciding another cat is right for your current kitty and you, then take your time to find the right one relative to age and temperament. With so many cats in need of a loving home, you should be able to find the purrfect one
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