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From: maryf@orca.UUCP (Klein)
Newsgroups: net.pets
Subject: Re: Guilt (Are two kitties better than one??)
Message-ID: <1979@orca.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 28-Jan-86 16:05:32 EST
Article-I.D.: orca.1979
Posted: Tue Jan 28 16:05:32 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 1-Feb-86 02:19:54 EST
References: <382@ihnp1.UUCP>
Organization: Tektronix, Wilsonville OR
Lines: 34


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Yes, I believe that one cat needs a playmate. Especially if you work all day.
They get lonely. From my experience you will avoid behavioral problems if
they have a playmate. My experience was, when our kitten was old enough to
leave outside when we were at work, she discovered the neighbors cat. She
would leave at 6 a.m. and not return until 11 p.m. when the neighbor brought
her cat in. Regardless of whether we were home or not. We got another kitten 
to keep her at home and she took it hook
line and sinker. Two cats really are not much more work than one. Then you
can leave the cats home together when you go away for the weekend and not
feel guilty. When you see the two playing, sleeping, and bathing together
you will know you did the right thing. They both come to the both of us
humans for our affection and they both seek out each for feline affection.

We have a unique situation in that our neighbor has three cats of her own. 
Both of our cats go over to her house to play with her cats. Our cats have
a box at our neighbors house that they can sleep in. She even lets them in her
house. If we are at home that stay around our house, but when we are not home
she seeks out attention at the neighbors. They must need it. Sometimes 
if we come home late at night and the cats are not around, we call the
neighbor and say we're home now, you can let the cats out, and they come
bounding across the yard.

Just think if you were locked in a house all day with no one to talk 
to, and no choice in the matter.

My experience in introducing a new kitten is, it works best if both are still
kittens. Sex and litter mates do not make any difference. It is the individual
cats. Some older cats will not accept another kitten even if they are used to
having other cats around.
Mary Flood-Klein
tektronix!orca!maryf