Thread: To Get Ripley a little friend?

Hi Rach, I say the more the merrier! I had two cats for many years, they were siblings and they got along great. I was without cats for a few years after my two passed away and now I have just one cat Ginger. I think she is fine but she could use some cat company. I don't think it matters what breed the kitten is, they are cats to each other. I think kittens adjust quicker than old cats do, so don't wait get Ripley a buddy. Good luck finding that new kitty!

yup Donnad said it all - I only have one and I think she's a bit lonely....

Definitely have another kitty if you can. Have you thought about adopting a rescue MC? There are a surprising number about and you may find one that isn't very old.

Absolutely agree ... we have 5 MCs now and one gorgeous elderly (17.5 years old) tabby 'moggy'. I know that he missed his mate of many years when our beautiful Ben (RIP) went to Rainbow Bridge coming up to 3 years ago now. It took Tigs a couple of weeks to really settle with the first influx of kittens (three of them!) but he was brilliant with them and is often a doting 'grandad' now. I'm sure that Ripley would love the company ... and Musicalife's suggestion about a rescue MC (or perhaps an ex breeding queen?) is great :-)
Please let us know how you get on?

We just got a friend for our little boy, a two year old MC as well. If you get one that's not breeding anymore, they usually go for half price or less. It's only been a few days since we've gotten our new little girl so I'm drawing from very little experience, but I'd say finding one that has a similar temperament has been very beneficial. Oliver had befriended a neighborhood cat who just wanted the company, and would get annoyed at Ollie's frequent attempts to play, so we thought we should find a better match. Last night we went to bed without sectioning anyone off, and Oliver was thrilled that there was someone there who was up for playing at five in the morning. They were running around like little furry crazies.

The breeder, as well as all of the articles I read by animal organizations said to introduce them gradually for the best results. Keep the newbie in their own room equipped with food, water, and litter at the beginning. Swap their scents by rubbing each of their faces with a towel so their personal scent gets mingled with the other's, creating a "family" scent before they actually meet. Some articles said to give the process a week; that seemed extreme, especially since our two had been very friendly to other cats in the past. We introduced ours after a day and then gradually increased their time together. When they were separated, we made sure to give both as much cuddles and fuss as we could to lessen any potential resentment. After some initial hissing and growling, they're getting along fine now. Hope it lasts!

Best of luck finding a partner for your baby! There are lots of cats looking for homes.

Thanks for the advice guys, we are going to go for a rescue cat as I had always said I would have rescue animals but when we first learned of Maine coons I knew I needed one in my life. But I know there are so many unwanted pets out there, especially after volunteering at rspca for 18 months it's so sad to see them not get picked, so it is important to me to not be as specific as I was with Ripley.
All our local rescue centre have kittens but rspca and blue cross a're reluctant to let kittens go out as indoor cats. Cats protection isn't bothered, so we hopefully have a visit from them next week and will go from there with them. I don't think £55 for a kitten which will have had all its injections microchips and spayed when old enough is a bad price at all :-)

X

ooooh I really wish I had a furry-companion for my Neevie too - Hubby is not for it, though. He'd take one if it "came to us" (he was more than willing when we were planning on adopting Lili) and really needed a home, but he is really worried about Neevie not accepting another cat - she's been good as gold and not nearly as catty and territorial for a long while now so I'm thinking it might be a possibility... and she is bored, and does get frustrated with me when I don't have time to play with her, and when she gets frustrated I still do get bitten... and when I get bitten I get crabby and HO gets annoyed with me. So, really, it would be good for everyone's mental health, right?

Alekto, I like he way you think! Work it girl! I am already convinced you need another cat! Now work on the hubby ;)

hehehe thanks for the encouragements Donna.