I need cat advice!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

I have two cats -- Teddy, who is 14, and Milo, who is 2. I got Milo because Teddy was alone all day and was getting a bit fat and lazy, and I thought he'd be happier with a companion. That was true up to a point, but most of the time Teddy, being older prefers to lie around. Milo, however, is very energetic and would like to play with Teddy. Unfortunately, the dialogue (translated) usually goes like this:

Milo: Hey, Teddy, wanna play? Let's pounce on each other and run and chase this little ball and pounce some more and...

Teddy: Get the hell away from me, punk.

So my question is: Should I get a kitten for Milo to play with so he'll leave curmudgeonly old Teddy alone to nap? Or would the two young cats just pester him more? Anybody have any experience with this?

[demnan]

1. Another young cat sounds like a good idea

Pad Thai now plays with Charley and that takes a lot of pressure off Lily who is 14. Paddy is 7 but he is a Siamese so he's twice as energetic. Now I have Charley and he plays with Pad Thai. Sure he also tries to play with Lily, but a resounding growl is all he needs to change his mind.

[purr]

2. I have 3 cats and my 2 younger

play together constantly. I have 2 sphynx's (the younger) and my calico whos around 7-8 years old does what your older cat does to Milo.

Osiris will run up to Stink (calico) and attempt to play with her and Stink will turn around and give her a good whack. Then Stink will chase her out of the room and go back to being her fat lazy self :)

The Sphynx's occasionally wake me up from sleeping at night with how much they carry on.

I think its a good idea to get Milo a buddy. With my house being added on and having more room, I'm thinking of getting another cat.

[beam me up scottie]

3. Definitely.

Adapt a one or two year old and they'll have a blast wrecking your house.

I have one senior, one middle aged and two young cats.

The younger ones play HARD all day and night and are so silly, the two older ones actually can't resist joining in occasionally.

The only thing that never fails to get my senior cat, Cecil, up and at 'em is Da Bird.
It makes a sound like a bird when it zips through the air.

Here's a pic from the Doctors Foster and Smith website:

All of them will literally chase this toy until they're panting like dogs.

It's absolutely incredible.

If you don't have one, put it on Santa's list.


edited to add: I have to HIDE this toy from them and I have to do it when they're not watching.

Seriously.

If they see me put it away, they will try to get at it constantly.

[demnan]

6. That was the first toy Charley enjoyed.

He even stole it and thieved it away. Now he's graduated to little mice to thieve.

Cute picture of Charley:

[beam me up scottie]

7. He's awesome!

Very relaxed and happy.

Is he as big as he looks in that picture?

[Samurai_Writer]

4. When I needed a companion for my senior cat, I got another senior

Smoke is 14 and lost his mama, who he has lived with since birth, in March. He was quite lonely, so I adopted Sterling in May, who is 10. I didn't even consider getting a younger cat, even though Smoke is a bit energetic for being such an old man. It has taken a few months, but Sterling and Smoke are getting along and friends now, although not the cuddle-next-to-me type buddies that Smoke and his mom were.

Since you already have a younger cat, I would get another younger cat for him. Just make sure you give lots of attention to Teddy to let him know he is still King of the castle.

[Lorien]

5. I got a third kitten for this very reason

my elderly Miro wanted a companion after his old friend Peewee passed away (he howled miserably for weeks) and I got him Oberon-who was pretty laid back for a kitten. Miro adores Oberon, but he was wearing out quickly from play. Puck was introduced and now everyone seems fairly content (although Puck is far more energetic than both combined). I think a third kitten is the way to go-but I wouldn't recommend an Asian or Middle Eastern breed.

[sadinred]

8. I have a 15 year old, a 3 year old and a 12 week old. My 3 year old

is so happy! My older cat is a sleeper and eater and thinks he's a human, so he wanted very little to do with my middle kitty (3yr old). I fostered babies and kept this little girl who's now 11 weeks. My oldest cat tolerates her very well, but that's it...no lovey-doveyness! BUT, my middle cat loves the baby. They play together and she follows him around. Everyone is pretty happy. The hardest part is that the baby is stealing my oldest cats sleeping spot next to me in bed. I'm amazed that he hasn't whacked her one over it but he just sleeps elsewhere.

I recommend adopting a friend for your younger cat. But you have to want it too.

It's been such a long time since I had a little kitten I'd forgotten how sweet they are, even when they are naughty.

:hi:

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

9. Thanks for the advice.

Once I get a bit of remodeling in my house done, I will look for a little friend for Milo. It would be so much fun to have a little kitty around again. I was just worried about upsetting the existing balance of power -- but I want Milo to leave Teddy alone, and have somebody to play with as well. Milo is a rather assertive cat who might be part Turkish Van. I suppose the best sort of kitty friend would be another mixed breed.