The kitties were nestled all snug in their bed....

[Glamrock]

Mrs. Glam just sent me this.

[CatMor]

1. So sweet.

[SWBTATTReg]

2. Neat! Looks like they know the warmest spot in the house, eh? Take care! nt

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. Multiple cats AND intact tree?

Not in my world.

I am glad to see some kitties can be sweet and appreciative of the holiday.

[Glamrock]

4. We learned not to hang glass balls under the tree

[Mme. Defarge]

5. Ha!

[oldlibdem]

15. That's the first thing I said..

I wonder how many times a day this person picks up ornaments?

[Mme. Defarge]

6. Hoping for a two cat night myself!

[More_Cowbell]

7. Taking this chance to ask a "multiple cat" question, ignore if you're not interested!

I've had a cat for more than 8 years, he's probably around 9. He's always been an only cat with me. For the last year I've been feeding a stray in my apartment complex who was obviously someone's cat once; he always wants to come inside. Now that it's cold and raining (well, what we call cold and rainy in northern California) he lives on my patio;he sleeps in a little box I set up for him and comes out when I come out.

My cat is interested in him (I have no idea what gender the outside kitty is) and they sniff noses through the patio screen door. Both their tails are always up. Neither of them can stand the manager's cat, they hiss and snap at him.

I'm thinking that when I'm home for the week after Christmas I'll try to introduce them and see if they'd get along. I've de-flead the outside kitty. His ear is notched so I think he's fixed (or she). I've never tried to pick him up. If they get along, I'd take him to the vet. I've offered coworkers and neighbors money to take him, but they all have cats already.

This picture made me think that maybe my cat would like to snuggle with another cat. Are cats naturally loners if they don't grow up with other cats? I don't want to stress my cat by introducing someone if he'd rather be a lone cat. But I don't want to deprive him if he'd like another cat. Would it be better to let my cat out (he used to go out, until a year or so ago) or have the outside kitty come in?

Any thoughts gratefully accepted. I do travel occasionally and worry about my cat not snuggling like these cats. I also would like outside kitty to have a home, but I worry about delivering him to my local shelter, which is not a no-kill place.

Thanks.

[Glamrock]

8. My experience

My cats always hate the new one. For a few weeks. Eventually, they accept it and make friends, or just accept it. The stress goes away. I'll caution that at 9, it may take longer than a few weeks. Maybe 4 or 5. But I doubt it. If they seem to be curious and friendly through the screen door, they'll probably be okay. Perhaps bring yours out with you on the porch a few times and let them get to know each other.

I'm not a fan of free range cat ownership (i ran one over tonite. Broke my heart) I'd bring in the other. If that is what you ultimately decide, you'll need to take it to the vet to be sure it doesn't have any disease that could be transferred to yours. Also, if yours is declawed, you'll have to do the same to the other, in my opinion. If you don't, you are risking injury to yours and a lifetime of fear and stress.

All that being said, I'm no expert. Nor am I a vet. But that's the best advice i can give based on my experiences with 7 in my lifetime. Hope it helps. And I hope you'll keep me informed!

[More_Cowbell]

16. Thanks

I don't want to leave him outside or stress my cat. All I can do is try it and see! My cat's not declawed; I'd never do that.

[Grasswire2]

9. There is a product called Feliway...

..available in a spray or plug-in...it mimics the hormone scents that mama cats produce, and soothes the savage beasts. It's worth a try at first. I've had two cats HATE each other for a year. To a dangerous degree. Then, one day, they simply dropped the feud. So weird.

[peacebuzzard]

12. That's great, I will look it up

I have one big bully cat I have to keep separate from my two smaller cats.

[More_Cowbell]

17. A year!!

Good thing you waited them out I have a feeling the outside kitty is neutered, and of course mine is. Thank you for the Feliway suggestion.

[Grasswire2]

19. yeah I had to keep them separated, in my modest two BR apartment.

Had to shuffle them room to room. It was nuts. Both orange boy tabbies, which are usually pretty happy cats.

[iscooterliberally]

10. If you bring the other cat in, you will need two extra litter boxes.

They tend to fight over them and the general rule is one box per cat plus one extra. Right now I have 5 cats and 2 big dogs inside plus a free range cat that lives on my carport. If your outside cat has a notched ear that means it is almost assuredly fixed and got a rabies shot too. It will take a while for the two cats to get used to each other, but if they're already curious they'll probably get along. My cats range in age from 18 years to 18 months. The oldest one is de-clawed, but none of the others are and they don't fight with her. It took her a long time to get along with them, but she doesn't his at them anymore. You should definitely take the outside cat to the vet before bringing him/her inside. You want to check for parasites and feline HIV and anything else your vet has concerns about. Thanks for taking care of a stray!

[More_Cowbell]

18. Yes, mine has two already

But I probably wouldn't have thought of another one, so thank you!

[pazzyanne]

11. I recently brought in a feral kitten (5 months old, give or take).

I live in Minnesota and the baby would not have made it through our winter. I have two house kitties that are 6 years old. They were very interested in visiting through my glass laundry room door. When I brought the kitten in, he started out in a kitty playpen for 2 weeks. Then he moved to the spare bathroom for a couple of weeks. This allowed my 6 year olds to acclimate to the youngster, sort of. Another couple of weeks and they are now living in harmony. The website below has some good information on feral cats and kittens. Good luck with you new adventure! It can be done.

https://heavenssafehaven.webs.com/

[Kingofalldems]

13. I'll hazard a guess and say there are no mice stirring either.

[Glamrock]

14. Hahahaha!

Yeah, probably not.