Little sister, big sister?

Waiting for new kittymate

Dear Fisher,

I’m a former alley cat and regard my battle scars as a matter of honor. But after leaving my best dead snakes on their doorstep, I was adopted by a neighborhood couple and transitioned to an indoor cat. After a year of being queen of the manor and having all the laps, petting, and prime sitting spots to myself, my humans are now talking about getting me a sister! They can’t decide if an older, mellower cat or a kitten would be less threatening to me, but I’m not sure I want a sister at all! Maybe it’s my fault. I do get bored while they’re at work, and I’ve started shredding their mail to amuse myself, but I don’t know if another cat is the answer!

Bella

Dear Bella,

You are certainly presented with a dilemma. On the one paw, you rule the manor but you are a bored with it. On the other, your position might get challenged by the introduction of another royal feline. After all, we are all royals, are we not?

The responsibility for whether or not you find yourself sharing the manor with another cat is all yours. Your humans may want more cat company, or they may be tuned into your need for amusement and want to make you happy. It could be as simple as their preference for reading un-shredded mail versus your presentation of shredded mail. The root cause of the idea comes directly from your behavior. It is up to you, then, to make the best of it – whatever the final decision.

Some things to consider when adding a second cat to the fold:

1) Are you mellow yourself? A kitten could give a new energy boost to the manor.
2) Are you uptight and anxious? A senior cat with a more mellow personality could be a calming effect on all of you.
3) Are your humans adopting the new cat for you, or because they would like a second cat? In either case, their decision should be made according to the results they expect from adding a new kitty – young or old.
4) Some people think that other people who get bored are boring people. Are you a boring cat? A kitten could spice up your personality a little.
5) Are your humans willing to take on this most important responsibility? Whether a cat or kitten moves in, there is a tad more daily upkeep of the manor.

Many more ideas on asking another cat to join your little family are found at the San Francisco ASPCA site San Francisco ASPCA site and look under resources for cat owners.

Just remember how you came to live in the manor in the first place. If dead snakes on the doorstep led to your loving new family, perhaps some shredded mail will lead to your new best friend.

Your friend,
Fisher


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