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From: stewart@ihlpf.UUCP (R. J. Stewart)
Newsgroups: net.pets
Subject: Re: Guilt (Are two kitties better than one??)
Message-ID: <292@ihlpf.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 31-Jan-86 15:24:41 EST
Article-I.D.: ihlpf.292
Posted: Fri Jan 31 15:24:41 1986
Date-Received: Thu, 6-Feb-86 20:55:53 EST
References: <382@ihnp1.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
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> Now we have a new
> problem.  I feel terribly guilty that he doesn't have a playmate.
> 
> ANYWAY, am I just being silly?  Does Isaac need a playmate?  (I work
> and he is alone all day.)

I might point out that many of the local animal shelters will not allow
someone to take just 1 cat if there's not going to be anyone at home all
day.  It's their position that cats get miserably bored with no one
around.

This seemed to be true of our first kitten.  After we'd had him a while,
he would get really upset when we were both leaving for work.  He'd get
a really panicked look on his face, then he'd jump on us and cling to us
and cry.  It was so heart-rendering that we got another cat even though
we hadn't planned on having more than one.  This seemed to work; they
don't get upset now when we leave.

As for introducing the two cats, you might try this.  Bring in the new
cat and immediately put him in a closed room with his own food, water,
and litter box.  leave him in there for a couple of days (with frequent
visits, of course).  This seems to work well for the new cat since it
gives him a chance to get acclimated before having to deal with other
animals.  The present cat, of course, knows something is in there and is
so curious that by the time you introduce them that he may not mind
having a new resident.

It is likely that they'll get along, especially if they are the only
playmates available for each other during the day.  Despite some initial
hissing and growling, our cats are now the best of buddies.


Good luck

Bob Stewart
ihnp4!ihlpf!stewart