From: collene@unisql.UUCP (Collene Pearce)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: 2nd Cat Questions
Date: 16 Oct 92 18:17:10 GMT
Organization: UniSQL, Inc., Austin, Texas, USA

BACKGROUND: As I have mentioned before, I am seriously considering
 getting a sibling for my Tamora.  I think she might be happier if
 she didn't have to be completely alone during the day.  
 
  (Note:  When reading this background info, assume that all cats and
   potential cats mentioned are neutered/spayed.  Also assume they are
   all strictly indoor cats. Assume they are pets only; I don't show them.)

 However, I am not thrilled about the prospect of having a teeny tiny
 kitten in my house (I think some breeders want you to take them when
 they are much too young).  They are adorable, but more trouble than I 
 have time to deal with.  So, when I get one, I intend to ask the breeder
 to "keep it" until it is XXXX age.

 I am also concerned about whether to get a male or female.  I am concerned
 that a male wouldn't be as faithful a user of the litter box as my Tamora
 is.  My mother's male (Cromwell) now goes outside to the bathroom because
 he used to spray the wall behind the litterbox.  I wouldn't be able to
 handle a cat that couldn't be trained.  And my friends tell me that female 
 cats are always less messy than male cats.
 
 Being a female, I think Tamora might like a male better than a female. 
 I'm concerned that if I get a female, that Tamora won't like it or may be
 jealous of it.  I don't want her to feel that she is being "pushed out". 
 After all, the sibling is for her benefit, not mine.  

 Right now, my Tamora is an "only cat".  I definitely have mixed feelings 
 about getting a second one, even if it is for her benefit.  I don't know if
 she would be better off with or without a sibling.  My mother keeps telling
 me that getting a second cat is a mistake, that Tamora is used to being an
 only cat and won't react well to haveing to share me with a sibling.  She 
 reminds me that I was raised as an only child and asks me how I would have
 felt had she brought home a sibling for me.   Hmmm.  She has a point. ;-)
 
 I have been agonizing over this decision for months and would love to have 
 as many opinions/storys/input from cat lovers as I can get.  So, here are
 my questions:

QUESTION 1:  Should I get Tamora a sibling at all?  Is my mother 
 correct?  Would Tamora be better off staying an "only cat"?

assuming it _is_ best to get a 2nd cat:

QUESTION 2:  What is the _maximum_ age the kitten should be when I
 take it home to "bond" with Tamora.  Is there a problem if I wait
 until it is say 5-6 months or so old? Would it have any habits by
 that age that would be hard for me to reverse (say not using the
 litterbox, scratching things, etc.)?

 Would a 2year old cat (my Tamora) prefer to have the kitten arrive 
 when it is 3months old or 6months old? 

QUESTION 3:  Since Tamora is female, would it be better for the
 new cat to be male?  Or would two females get along as well as
 a male and female?  Do male cats all spray (even if neutered)
 and refuse to use the litter box occasionally.  Are male cats
 really "dirtier" than female cats, on the whole (I mean  - NN% of
 male cats are untrainable, as opposed to only YY% of female cats).
 I don't expect stats; just want to know generally what people have
 experienced.  


-- 

********************* #include <std_disclaimer.h> **********************
* A. Collene Pearce (512-343-7372, x114) * Organization: UniSQL, Inc.  *
*                                        * Austin, TX                  *
* unisql!collene@cs.utexas.edu           * 512-343-7297 or 7383(fax)   *
************************************************************************
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats