Comments on: A Multi-Cat Household: What Gender Next? http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/2009/10/multi-cat-household/ Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:37:19 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Melissa http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/2009/10/multi-cat-household/comment-page-1/#comment-486 Melissa Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:16:24 +0000 http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/?p=1158#comment-486 Thanks Marian & Cristie for the detailed responses! You'll see in my newest blog post that we did decide on a kitten, and went for a female, although we didn't think it would matter either way. Unfortunately, our oldest cat, Zoe, is having some health problems right now. We've been trying to get things under control but she isn't improving. We have a vet appointment today which I am trying to be hopeful about. Thanks Marian & Cristie for the detailed responses! You’ll see in my newest blog post that we did decide on a kitten, and went for a female, although we didn’t think it would matter either way. Unfortunately, our oldest cat, Zoe, is having some health problems right now. We’ve been trying to get things under control but she isn’t improving. We have a vet appointment today which I am trying to be hopeful about.

]]> By: Cristie http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/2009/10/multi-cat-household/comment-page-1/#comment-469 Cristie Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:36:31 +0000 http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/?p=1158#comment-469 I am sorry about Porsche! We currently have 6 cats (2 male, 4 female). When we only had 3 of which the two oldest are male and the first female we adopted 2 more, one being female and the other male. Our two boys were not very receptive to another male in the house and the new male decided he needed to mark his turf in our house (even though he was neutered)! So needless to say he went back to the Humane society, which was the hardest thing I have ever had to do as he was an amazing cat! Our two boys are very much bonded to each other whereas the girls are not so much. So, I think that if you are only wanting 3 cats and intend to get a kitten, the gender will not matter. Good luck! I am sorry about Porsche! We currently have 6 cats (2 male, 4 female). When we only had 3 of which the two oldest are male and the first female we adopted 2 more, one being female and the other male. Our two boys were not very receptive to another male in the house and the new male decided he needed to mark his turf in our house (even though he was neutered)! So needless to say he went back to the Humane society, which was the hardest thing I have ever had to do as he was an amazing cat! Our two boys are very much bonded to each other whereas the girls are not so much. So, I think that if you are only wanting 3 cats and intend to get a kitten, the gender will not matter. Good luck!

]]> By: Marian http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/2009/10/multi-cat-household/comment-page-1/#comment-453 Marian Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:22:28 +0000 http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/?p=1158#comment-453 For many years my husband and I have had up to six cats. The idea of adding a pair of kittens could work very well. On the other hand it's possible that as the kittens become adults they may not (or rarely) come to socialize with your older cats. We faced the gender issue recently when we lost two to illiness and were left with one female and three males (we got another female). We've found that males and females (and males and males, interestingly enough) bond together better than females with each other. But that doesn't answer what to do when you want only three cats! We have found, though, that having four is no more work than three. However, if you truly want only three, if you get a KITTEN rather than an older cat, the gender probably won't matter much. The older cats will keep the youngster in line (!) and interact with him or her on their terms. (If I may, I'd like to add an alert to blog readers to a new book I wrote aimed at fellow cat lovers: Confessions of a Cataholic, about living with the 10 cats who caused my "addiction" (WordPowerPublishing.com). For many years my husband and I have had up to six cats. The idea of adding a pair of kittens could work very well. On the other hand it’s possible that as the kittens become adults they may not (or rarely) come to socialize with your older cats. We faced the gender issue recently when we lost two to illiness and were left with one female and three males (we got another female). We’ve found that males and females (and males and males, interestingly enough) bond together better than females with each other. But that doesn’t answer what to do when you want only three cats! We have found, though, that having four is no more work than three. However, if you truly want only three, if you get a KITTEN rather than an older cat, the gender probably won’t matter much. The older cats will keep the youngster in line (!) and interact with him or her on their terms. (If I may, I’d like to add an alert to blog readers to a new book I wrote aimed at fellow cat lovers: Confessions of a Cataholic, about living with the 10 cats who caused my “addiction” (WordPowerPublishing.com).

]]> By: Melissa http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/2009/10/multi-cat-household/comment-page-1/#comment-438 Melissa Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:10:38 +0000 http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/?p=1158#comment-438 What a nice idea to get a pair of kittens or young cats....Not sure we want to have 4 cats at once, but it is definitely something I hadn't thought of and will consider. What a nice idea to get a pair of kittens or young cats….Not sure we want to have 4 cats at once, but it is definitely something I hadn’t thought of and will consider.

]]> By: Lisa http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/2009/10/multi-cat-household/comment-page-1/#comment-432 Lisa Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:06:07 +0000 http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/?p=1158#comment-432 Melissa, I'm sorry to hear of your loss of Porsche. It's awful when something like this happens so suddenly. I'm glad you have so many other 'kids' to help you through your loss. I can't wait to hear your new adventure's adding a kitten to the family. Looking forward to your next article! *Lisa Melissa, I’m sorry to hear of your loss of Porsche. It’s awful when something like this happens so suddenly. I’m glad you have so many other ‘kids’ to help you through your loss. I can’t wait to hear your new adventure’s adding a kitten to the family. Looking forward to your next article! *Lisa

]]> By: Debbie http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/2009/10/multi-cat-household/comment-page-1/#comment-430 Debbie Sun, 18 Oct 2009 20:46:36 +0000 http://www.dfs-pet-blog.com/?p=1158#comment-430 Why not consider a bonded pair of kittens or young cats from a rescue? One kitten will probably pester your senior to distraction. Two should entertain themselves. A pair thru puberty might be the best bet. Why not consider a bonded pair of kittens or young cats from a rescue?

One kitten will probably pester your senior to distraction. Two should entertain themselves. A pair thru puberty might be the best bet.

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