2nd MC advice needed

Hi guys,

I optioned a male MC a few weeks before we had the trouble with Casco’s eating. I was thinking of not going through with it as I would need to focus on Casco’s health and I didn’t want him stressed. Anyway, Casco is doing GREAT, eating more than ever so I’m still planning on going to see the kitten and meet the breeder. I really feel he would thrive if he had a playmate.

When I was at the vets I mentioned that I was hoping to get another cat and was told not to assume that Casco would like company, that’s cats are naturally solitary animals and getting a second (especially male) can cause more problems than it’s worth, particularly with cats that are indoors only.

What do you all think? Is two males a bad idea? I was under the impression that MC’s generally get on with other MC’s irrespective of sex.

Thanks in advance.

Hiya im not if i can offer any advice only i have to female cats 16+19 then we got our very first MC 6 weeks ago a male ronnie then 2 weeks later we went and got his brother reggie lol now these boys are now 13 weeks old and the best of friends ive some lovely piccies of them eating and sleeping snugged up together but this may be because we have them both young together im hoping there relationship will stay how it is,
i know the girls relationship is a love hate one you never see them snuggled up together as for feed time thats a bowls away from eachother or they hiss n swipe at eachother,
i think it also depends how laid back your cat is on wether they will accept another the girls are tolerating the boys but do give them a bop if they get to close lol,
but that is the reason why we ended up with 2 MC because i didnt want ronnie to be alone when the time comes for my girls xxxx

It’s a widespread misconception that cats are solitary animals. They hunt on their own (so not in packs like wolves or lions) but they naturally live in colonies. That’s why it is usually recommended to have more than one kitty, particularly when you’re away from home during the day.

Two males should be perfectly OK together, as long as both have been well-socialised by a breeder and are neutered at the appropriate age. In fact many people on here have several neutered boys living happily and peacefully together. :smile:

Well we have 3 boys and 3 girls. They all love each others company. We get the odd scrap but as a rule they all get on.
I would reccomend getting company for Casco!

Thanks everyone. I’m relieved by the responses.

It’s not easy ignoring the opinion of a vet, but Casco is my baby and instinct tells me he would like a playmate. I do have working mum syndrome as well, I feel guilty for leaving him at home all day so he gets away with murder!!

He is very well socialised and was neutered at 7 months old. The new babe will be coming straight from his litter mates and mum so he will used to other cats.

It’s difficult to say how laid back he is because I have nothing to compare him too…. He’s not easily phased, but he is quite headstrong and likes his own way.

I have a week off work to settle the new kitten in, after that do you think it will be ok to leave them together unsupervised or should I keep them in separate parts of the house when I’m not there?

Also, was wondering whether they can share a litter box and food/water bowls?

Last question (sorry!) – will I need to get the new kitten neutered earlier than normal because he will be living with another male?

I really hope they get on like Ronnie and Reggie! I’m kinda nervous excited if that makes sense…

I have 2 litter boxes one downstairs which all 4 use with no probs (i remove every number 2 a.s.a.p) and the other is upstairs in my daughters room were they are shut in of a night because the cat flap is unlocked for the girls to go out plus ronnie n reggie wind the girls up and they bop em so its safer at thd moment to have them shut away at night time,
as for water bowl my 4 dogs and 4 cats all share a huge metal water bowl lol, but again the kittens have extra bowl upstairs for when there shut in at night :)
as for neutring can not help you there as my lil ones have not been done yet there booked in though when there 6months old the girls of course got done years ago lol

Providing you introduce the new kitten carefully, you shouldn't have any problems. Make sure that contact between the two is supervised for the first few days, and that both cats get equal attention, maybe with Casco getting a bit more to reassure him that you still love him. They should be fine within a couple of weeks, maybe sooner. I have found that neutered boys are generally pretty accepting of newcomers. Good luck.

Weve got two of each at the mo, but have previously had 4 males together. As long as all are neutered there is generally no problems. What Ive found is that when a new kitten arrives(ours will be moving in on Nov 18th) one of the other males will take over the "adopted" parent role.

We just introduced our 3rd girl Loki an MC just over 2 weeks ago to our 2 other girls both of which are domestics and where surprised how quickly they have taken to each other. Taffy the younger of the 2 follows Loki around the house and wrestles with her and they sometimes sleep together. As for feeding we made a point of having them eating close together as soon as possible and now the 3 of them eat in a row which is great. For the first week or so we made a point of keeping Loki separated at night to ensure she didn't get hurt etc but found that Taffy cried for her at night so that didn't last too long. Even Suki the older one has taken to her even thou she will give Loki a boof if she gets pested too much. Right now the 2 of them are lying in 2 beds in the front room.

The 3 Girls having a bite to eat

Attachment 6461

Thanks guys.

I’ll do as JustMeD suggests and feed them together, I can always change it around if it doesn’t work. Will put an extra litter box out.

I have met the new babe and put a deposit down, he will be joining us next month. I’m so excited, can’t wait to see Casco’s face when he arrives :smile:

Sorry Sketches missed out on this thread,reckon you know what my reply is likely to be....the more the merrier. Weird advice from a vet & agree with Antonia they are a pack animal,once you get more than one you will get a pack leader & it isn't always the one you think its going to be either,all of ours have their own feeding station be it in their room or out in the pen & the newest member always learn very quickly where to go & wait for their dish to be put down,I luv feeding time especially night time as it gives me a chance to give them all a special kiss & cuddle. As to neutering do it when you feel the time is right,my last two boys were over a year & it made no difference between them & the other two already neutered males as to leaving them alone when you go back to work hopefully you will have no worries about that by the time your week is up,except for when my numbers went over the three mark I never separated mine at all just let them get on with life from day one,after that I slept them separate for the first couple of nights although they were together during the day & last girl I do admit to having her in a cage in the cats bedroom at night because with the two bruvs taking over her welfare I don't think she would have had any peace....Like Steve we have the odd family difference but mostly its bliss for us to enjoy so many MC furries so look forward to seeing your new babe & pictures of Casco enjoying a new friend.....x

Just found these,Ruby arrived about 7pm one evening & spent her first couple of hours behind the settee,after spending her first night in the cage in the cats room she came out in the morning & hid up behind the settee again so went & put a load of toys in a carrier bag & threw it down,the other cats came & made a lot of noise which drew her out,although I stayed in the room while the bag was there once they were all obviously happy with the new babe & she them I removed the carrier & left them too it,no looking....!


Attachment 6462Attachment 6463Attachment 6464

Thanks for the advice JCK. Your fur babies are gorgeous, is the Ruby the little one on the right in the first pic?

I think I’ll introduce them straight away but put the little one in the spare room when we go to bed for the first couple of nights. I suspect he will cry though as he’s never been on his own, I’ll no doubt feel guilty and end up sleeping in there with him…

The bag of toys is a good idea, I’ll have to unleash Da Bird (or rather what’s left of it) on the first night and they can bond over that :LOL:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sketches

Thanks for the advice JCK. Your fur babies are gorgeous, is the Ruby the little one on the right in the first pic?

I think I’ll introduce them straight away but put the little one in the spare room when we go to bed for the first couple of nights. I suspect he will cry though as he’s never been on his own, I’ll no doubt feel guilty and end up sleeping in there with him…

The bag of toys is a good idea, I’ll have to unleash Da Bird (or rather what’s left of it) on the first night and they can bond over that :LOL:

---

Yep that's her Sketches with Shimba who took over her washing program & still checks behind her ears even now,the other one in the first picture is our little flat chested girl Pansy P who loved her while she was smaller than her but now Ruby is bigger PP looks on in disgust,in the other photos there is Wellynton Boots,brother to Shimba & he has always been playmate to her & again still is,they both fire off together,for the first month except when she was in her cage at night one or the other brother always babysat her which was rather sweet.
Da Bird sounds a good idea & who knows they could be fine together from the start if not happy roughing it bet he will keep you awake.....x

Aw, I love the peach/red flash on Ruby’s head, super cute. Great that they get on to so well.

And yes, I’m prepared for a lack of sleep. Woken up this morning by a squeaking sound. Apparently Casco doesn’t approve of condensation, got up on his back legs and started rhythmically cleaning the windows with his paws (which are now covered in tuft fur!). Bless him, what characters these coonies are :LOL:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sketches

Aw, I love the peach/red flash on Ruby’s head, super cute. Great that they get on to so well.

And yes, I’m prepared for a lack of sleep. Woken up this morning by a squeaking sound. Apparently Casco doesn’t approve of condensation, got up on his back legs and started rhythmically cleaning the windows with his paws (which are now covered in tuft fur!). Bless him, what characters these coonies are :LOL:

---

Life would be so dull without them & my windows had never been cleaned so much before they came along,as you say this time of the year its where they make a pretty pattern in the condensation & during the summer where they splat a fly at the top & then pull it all the way down to the bottom,lovely...:smile:

Heheh... that's my windows you're talking about. :winkwink: