Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat General => General Cat Chat => Topic started by: sixfurballs on August 19, 2008, 22:07:40 PM
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I'm being sorely tempted by a cat in need of another home but am wondering would I be pushing my luck or even if this guy is suited to my household. He is a stray, and check have been made to ensure this. The lady who he has strayed to feeds several strays and has determined that he isn't owned. He is a tom but she is taking him to be neutered. He is a long haired boy who seems quite timid. He seems to be a pet cat who has just been thrown out/dumped.
Thing is I already have 4 cats. A 6 year old, 5 year old and 2 who are 2 years old. My eldest is a bit of a loner and whilst she tolerates the other cats and will even sit on a knee with some of them she isn't well bonded with them.
I have a 4 bedroom detached house and my cats are in and out as they please during the day but kept in at night.
What do you think - would my household me too much for him and would adding another cat here throw us into chaos?
It would take a very special cat to tempt me to add another but this guy has for some reason really pulled my heart strings.
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I have no experience of that many cats but I am sure there are people on here who do.
My opinion is that if you've really fallen for him, why not give it a go? If you follow all the correct intro stuff and give him (and the others) a good chance, then they could all get on fine.
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I suspect that your girl may be the least of any possible problem. I imagine she will always be aloof from the boys if our Noni is anything to go by.
Don't know how old this new chap might be. Sometimes male cats who've had their ops late can be quite dominant with other male cats. All about territory of course. Is he timid just with humans or is he also timid with cats? You will never know if you don't try but don't expect miracles in early days. Our Freddie was a long haired nightmare for about 6 weeks but he's now... well .... :shoosh: a bit of a favourite with everyone. I assume you can afford a 5th?
We've also got 4 but couldn't impose any more upset on 18 yr old Tommie so he's determined our limit.
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up until 3 weeks ago i actually had 8 cats, occassionally they do have the odd spat but on the whole they all get along together,whenever ive brought a new one into the house i always put them in the spare room with a grill door so they can see the others and vica versa, within a week i can usually let them out to roam the house and get used to the others, and within a month they are coming and going with the rest of the gang
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Having indoor cats, oh has imposed a strict "number of cats = number of bedrooms" rule and I can understand his point completely. There aren't as many hidey holes/roaming areas as I'd like and with anymore I think it may become less kind to the furries. I do only have a little Barrat-style housey though and I'm sure if we ever moved to a massive 2 bed we'd reconsider.
I think you know your own cats and if they all have their own corners, there are corners to spare and you can afford it go for it!
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i agree but im lucky i have a 3 bedroomed semi in a very quiet cul-de-sac and a couple of miles of woodland in my front garden,ideal for my cats
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There is no set limit, it is all down to time, money and space, and everyone is different. It is always a risk taking in a new cat though, as even if you know you have the space, you could have a personality clash. Good luck with your decision
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Having indoor cats, oh has imposed a strict "number of cats = number of bedrooms" rule and I can understand his point completely.
So are there many 10 bed houses in your area :shify:
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If you are going to try him i would wait a few weeks after neutering before trying to introduce him, mature toms have a pungent smell that will irritate the most laid back of cats! ;)
If you have the time and money and no existing issues between your current gang then consider it.
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So wish someone had warned me of that when Freddie came to stay (pungent is indeed the right word MM) altho, was so desperate to get him out of RSPCA, I wouldn't have waited anyway :-:.