I've been thinking of getting another cat well a kitten. The last time I had one was several years ago. She was about 15 or 16 when she passed away. So when we got her there was always someone generally at home while she was a kitten. That really won't be the case now. Does anyone have any tips or advice on how to handle one when you're working full time?
I normally leave for work around 7am and I'm getting back usually around 4:30pm. The plan would be to get him or her when I'm on my vacation so I can spend as much time as possible with them at first. Make sure they're comfortable with their surroundings, etc. That should last roughly over 2 weeks. Maybe three if I don't take any days before that.
I have no issue dealing with an adult cat and all that is required to take care of one. It's the kitten aspect I'm concerned about. I'm aiming for a kitten because we have two dogs in the house I want the them to both be comfortable around the cat and for the cat to grow up and be comfortable with them. Getting and taking in an adult cat I assume has its own challenges but not looking in that direction. We had gotten one of the dogs as a puppy around a year before other cat passed away so he grew up with her basically being the one in charge. So I imagine he's not going to be an issue.
Unlike Weltall Im still pro two kitten. Especially at very young age they need an equal playmate, while dogs and cats get along super, the thing is that cats and dogs play very differently. This might as well lead to tensions, with two cats your kitty would still have a playmate even if the dogs dont feel like it or cant fill the role because their understanding of playing is entirely different from the kittens.
You can be lucky and have it work out. But that's not neccessarily the case that's why I'd recommend two kitties.
In general There are cats in shelters who get along with dogs well too. Older cats. With older cats, a single cat wouldnt be as much of a problem because they arent as playful and needy as kittens are. However, you need to make sure to get a cat that's dog compatible.
If you want to get only one cat, get sn older one (3+ years?) preferably female that's compatible with dogs. If you insist on a kitten, please get two. They will get used to the dogs, play with one another if bored (when you go to work you are gone for long so yeah) and in the end it's less stress for all involved.
Not sure how much cross-over viewers of this cat thread look at the PC Building thread so here are some cat shots I took from there.
Adorable! He must be a tech expert if he built it all by himself.
He'll eventually be more comfortable given time. I wouldn't sweat it or push it. Some cats take more time to warm up than others. Honestly, just keep doing what you would normally do and he'll get accustomed to the home dynamics and come out.
Some treats here and there also help, of course. ;)
7 month is quite young, what's the weight of the shy one? Have you been to the vet? How does he get along with the other cat? Does he react the same way when the other cat approaches?
I'd try to bribe him with dried meat treats for cats, occassionly offer fish on a spoon.
Food should get every cat out of their shell, if not that's pretty odd. Try to increase distance till your cat eats, then slowly decrease distance.
Use tools like long spoons etc. (Telescopic spoons?) if neccessary. Feliway classic is a very good advice.
Shiro took sometime to arrive, he's still no lap cat put he'd eat from the very beginning out of my hand. His behaviour is strange. He doesnt want to sit on our laps, but very rarely next to us (like once a week) he comes, sits within arm reach on the sofa and if you offer your hand he will mark it with his cheeks and demands petting. Other than that he's a very distanced cat. That's his personality.
When he is stressed he seeks my protection, you could say he turns into a very cuddly cat. i often sit with a cuddle blanket over my legs on the sofa which forms a tent, if he's very stressed he comes and lays under it and cuddles with me there. (He mainly did that during his arrival and during Christmas time). He'd then rest his head on my leg or hand and sleep there. At times he would come to me and put his paw on my cheek and sleep next to me when i fell asleep on the sofa, but only if he wanted. You couldn't make him sit next to you (although he follows our sign language command "come here", but he wouldnt stay for cuddles).
He started to distance himself more and more as he became less insecure. (Stopped sleeping under the sofa for night too.)
After half a year him being part of the family we started to give him calming food (as little changes easily stressed him), ever since his self-eestem has grown significantly! At the beginning this lead to more stress, as ryu tried to keep bossing shiro around and suddenly he wouldnt let him. Now they are both way calmer. Shiro sits more often on top of the sofa (not under the blanket) and dares to demand things. He is a very shy character.
