How do I convince the Mr to let us get MC #2?

Now, I'm not talking about going out and getting another tomorrow but we had initially planned to get two at once and I still think it's not fair to have just Teddy on his own. I'd prefer to get a second sooner rather than later because I don't want Teddy to get too used to being the only kitty on the block.

Dave's main argument against a second kitty is that we don't have the space in his opinion. He says we'd have to wait until we have our own house but he still has at least two years of university left and as of next summer I could have a full time job which would mean Teddy would be left at home alone for longer than he currently is (he doesn't get left alone a lot right now). I think he is also worried about the costs but hasn't explicitly said so.

Our current flat has a large lounge with the huge cat tree, toy box and cat bed in it. There would be plenty of room for more cat-related paraphernalia too. We also have a big kitchen with space for a sofa and dining table. It is where we feed Teddy and he has a scratching post in there too. The bathroom and bedroom are smaller but still a reasonable size. We have a little storage cupboard/study for Dave too. We have the littler try in our hallway. I think Teddy has loads of space to run around in here (and he does!). There are lots of lounging spots and windows for bird watching.

There was one kitten at the breeders when we picked up Teddy that Dave really liked and we did discuss having her but I felt as though we didn't want her from the get-go and that it would be unfair for us to take her and then have a preference for Teddy (just because we'd got to know him better and been obsessing over him for months). I think if we were to get another, we'd have the same sort of obsessing period so we would love him/her as much as we love Teddy. Dave thinks we'll always prefer Teddy.

Is there anything I can say to put Dave's mind at rest?

Well, let's face it, it's a Maine Coon. Dave's arguments are instantly invalid :winkwink:

But, seriously, I don't think space is such a big issue - after all you have a cat tree and probably enough space for them to run around. Of course I'm not an expert, I just got my own MC kitten and I also have another cat. My apartment is not that big either although I do have a balcony with plants etc.

I also agree with you that it'd be better if you got another one sooner than later. Your guy is still young and it will be easier for him to get used to another cat. I think what you have to do is just convince Dave to go visit a breeder or two, until you fall in love with a kitten. Then he just won't be able to say no to that adorable furry creature! :winkwink:

I agree with the above. One more cat won't take up much more space, generally they share the cat-tree, scratch post, cat bed, your bed...

I had the very same debate recently. I realised that Poif was getting lonely at home whenI was out at work after my housemate and her cat moved out and my boyfriend moved in.

Regarding the choice of kitten and obsessing period, I personally don't think it makes any difference in the end. I picked Poif on the day she was born and waited what felt like forever to get her. When I found Ffion, it was just 2 weeks before I collected her. I had the same concerns about favouring Poif and the 2 settling together. If you have read my latest thread you'll see I had an anxious first 24 hour of introducing the too...

In under a week however everything is settled in the house and I can't imagine life without either of them!! What I couldn't believe is how quickly you can fall for an MC kitten. I mean Poif has the most wonderful, relaxed and playful personality, as well as having her 'party-girl' colourings. My favourite thing about Poif is how she expresses herself through her tail and how she waves her paw when she is thinking about doing something. Ffion is definitely more fiesty and vocal, but so so trusting with people. She stands her ground and is very stubborn at times, but is very interested in everything that you do and likes to be nearby watching you do your day-to-day activities. My favourite thing about Ffion is the little 'pprrrrrpp' noise she makes when she wants to play with something...

And a tip for the OH...I got mine to pick new kitties name!!:winkwink:

Ah, the space issue!! If it helps, we live in a 1 bedroom cottage with just a bathroom, box room(office), kitchen & lounge.
The wifey & I rent this off 5 Coonies! It gets a BIT crowded if we are all in the same room at the same time but it is worth it.

Best thing we did was to get company for Pomeroy, but then it snowballed!!
Admittebly I have now built a run out the back garden for them, but the minute we are home thay all want to be in the house with us.

You seem to have all the essentials, so the cost issue is the initial outlay for the purchase of the kitten and the extra food & litter.
My sacrifice towards these "extra" cost, was to forgo my Saturday night out after the rugby!! But at least I now get to stay in one extra night with the gang!

My advice, go for the company for the kitty!

Goodness me, 2 cats is nothing, it's normal. In fact I would argue that it's actually quite important for Teddy to have company, especially if he's going to be left alone regularly.
Two MC's is twice the fun and twice the love, and it sounds like you have plenty of space for them.
I've got 3 and I'm wondering about a 4th.

So you could lean on the 'it's actually cruel to have an only cat, especially if it's an MC' argument. See if that works.

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Originally Posted by Howlinbob

Goodness me, 2 cats is nothing, it's normal. In fact I would argue that it's actually quite important for Teddy to have company, especially if he's going to be left alone regularly.
Two MC's is twice the fun and twice the love, and it sounds like you have plenty of space for them.
I've got 3 and I'm wondering about a 4th.

So you could lean on the 'it's actually cruel to have an only cat, especially if it's an MC' argument. See if that works.

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Actually, after having my little guy on Monday I've been toying with the idea of getting another one... I'm not gonna, but yesterday I caught myself thinking that having another MC around wouldn't be all that bad :p

I've started talking about WHEN we get another rather than if... The OH is getting used to the idea... We have plenty of space but I want to be sure we can afford the full costs of a second one, particularly as Rasputin eats like a horse at the moment! Having said that, I also have a vague target as a friend of mine has just got a breeding kitten so I may well have one of her first litter around this time next year (which makes the decision easier).
I do think they're happiest with company but wouldn't rush into getting a second :) just work on Dave gradually :D good luck!

let him think it's his idea!!! Slowly start introducing company for Teddy into conversations to plant the seed in his mind.

Show him lots of you tube videos of two playing and how cute it is then leave it for a couple of weeks.........

But beware they are addictive, we were thinking of another boy to give Roxy a break from the rough and tumble but then Freddie came along!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Helen & John

let him think it's his idea!!! Slowly start introducing company for Teddy into conversations to plant the seed in his mind.

Show him lots of you tube videos of two playing and how cute it is then leave it for a couple of weeks.........

But beware they are addictive, we were thinking of another boy to give Roxy a break from the rough and tumble but then Freddie came along!!!

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You really liked "Inception" didn't you? :p

Well I think we've come to some sort of decision! I've said that since I graduate next June and should be either getting a job or starting a PGCE course (much more hours, placements etc.) after then, Teddy will *need* the company as we will both be out a lot more than we currently are. We're aiming, I think, to have a second by then.

The two most practical problems we have (aside from cost) are that Dave may have to do a three or six month placement abroad from next summer (although I think this just adds to the necessity of having another for company) and that we rent a flat and we may move after this year because we don't particularly love this flat and we'd need to be sure we could find another landlord who would allow us to have two cats.

I just don't want to be expecting to get another and then to be disappointed. I absolutely love Teddy to death and nothing could make me love him less but I reckon we'll be able to love another just as much.

I'm not sure if I should mention to our breeder that we're interested in another. She operates a sort of waiting list (but even then if she thinks a family on her list aren't in a position to take on a kitten at that time, she doesn't offer them one - e.g. someone on her list had just had a baby) so it would be better to have our names as high up on that as possible I guess. I know she's planning another litter for later in the year.