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Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/3/2008 10:32:04 PM
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Hi,
There is kind of a lot of backstory to this question, so heregoes:
I have had one of my cats, Shirley, for almost 3 years, and I have had her since she was about 4 months old. When I first got her i was living with a roommate who also adopted her brother, and they had a lot of fun living together. After about a year, my roommate moved out and took Shirley's brother (Kubrick) with her, and she seemed really sad and lonely. So a few months later, I adopted Brody, who is also a female, to keep Shirley company. It was a very rough transition for Shirley, and I almost took Brody back, but we worked through it and now they tolerate each other. They never became very good friends and even now, I have had Brody for 2 years, they don't interact very much. When I adopted Brody, I was living with my boyfriend and have been doing so for the past 2 years, but I am moving back home now and we won't be living together anymore. Brody has always taken to my boyfriend more than I, they bonded much more than she and I ever did. So now that I am moving, I am considering leaving Brody with my boyfriend. It is not a question of care, I know he loves her and he wants to keep her and he will take excellent care of her, but I wonder if separating them is a bad idea. I don't want to make this a stressful transition for either of them, but I don't really know what to do. I feel like Brody would be happeir with my boyfriend than with me, she is a shy kitty and Shirley is much the opposite, and my boyfriend and I's personalities vary accordingly. Also, if I decided to separate them, I would consider adopting another kitty, hopefully one that is more suited to Shirley's personality.
So I guess my question is this: Would it be very stressful for them to be separated? And if not, and I do separate them, is it likely that Shirley will go through the same rough transition that she did with Brody if I were to adopt another cat? Any feedback you could give me would be more than welcome! Thanks!
Sincerely,
Chris
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Supreme Being
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Last Login: Today @ 11:07:56 AM
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If after two years they only tolerate each other I doubt Shirley is going to be heart-broken. Most cats would like a playmate, some however are purrfectly content to be only kitty's. Shirley may be that way, so keep an eye on her and see if she seems depressed or if she's happier to not have competition for food, litterbox, or your attention.
My cats own my house they just permit me to live there. Only cat lovers know the luxury of fur-coated, musical hot water bottles that never go cold."
- Susanne Millen 
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Senior Member
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Last Login: 8/25/2008 6:55:44 PM
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| Under the circumstances, I don't think it would be that bad to separate the cats. Seems they really have not bonded very well and while they might miss each other for a few weeks, I'm sure both would be happier. Sounds like your bf will be a good "parent", so I would not feel bad in separating the cats.
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Supreme Being
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Last Login: Today @ 3:56:38 PM
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| If they just tolerate each other I wouldn't think separating them would hurt at all! I have Rusty and Xena who each would be thrilled to death if I gave one or the other away! Go ahead! Your cats will probably be a lot happier! 
SuperCat
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Senior Member
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Last Login: 8/21/2008 4:08:45 PM
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| As everyone says, they won't suffer, and probably they will enjoy it. If you take another cat, select a male. Females are a lot more territorial and they don't want another female in their place. If they are spayed, they can accept them, but they accept better a male. Two females are more prone to fight. Usually it is difficult bringing a new cat home. I've just bring a new one. I selected her thinking in the other ones. I took a cat that likes living with other cats. My old cats are peaceful and accepted another one some months ago (he died). I have no fights, but my old female is hiding most time because she is frightened. So even with peaceful cats it can be stressful. But if they accept each other and become friends it will be wonderful. And it can happen. It happened with my older cats. You must not bring the new one and let him free. You must introduce them. I'm sure there must be some other post about how to introduce a new cat. If you take a kitten, be sure he is at least two months old (better 3 months). Females sometimes see the kittens as competition with their possible litter (and it doesn't matter if she is spayed). She can try to kill a too much little one. And usually they don't adopt kittens (the males usually do that) But I would take a new one. I think it's worth the effort it takes. But select it carefully. Perhaps a calm, grown up cat can be the best. One that is used to live with other cats.
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Member
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Last Login: 8/3/2008 3:34:39 PM
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| When "kitty" joined our family, we already had a dog. She didn't seem to mind him at all. She actually played with him, slept with him, and drank from his water bowl all the time. When "Bob"(stray kitten) came along, she didn't like him at all. He is about 3-4 months younger than her and at first she hid from him and wouldn't tolerate him coming near her at all. She hissed and swiped at him all the time. Eventually, she got used to him and she now tolerates his playful "attacking". If he gets too rough with her, she will leave the room. If she is eating, and he starts eating out of the same bowl, she will move aside until he's done. They've got a pretty good relationship now and she doesn't mind him being around her babies, which was a major concern for us. I'm sure if you get a kitten, your cat will be okay after a while. If you don't, that would probably be okay for her, too. Good Luck!
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