In the News: Tails of Marin
By Laura Hazard
Choosing the right cat for you
Thinking of adopting a cat? It's important to take the time to choose a feline friend to complement your lifestyle. A cat's age and personality, as well as current family members and resident pets, are all things to consider. Don't feel pressured into making a decision right away. At the Marin Humane Society, once you express interest in adopting Tiger or Fluffy, you have the option of placing a hold on him or her for 24 hours.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself during the decision-making process.
Current pet situation
Do you have a dog? Does your dog exhibit prey drive (like chasing squirrels at the park)? If so, your dog is more than likely to want to chase a cat. This is not to say that cats and dogs cannot live happily ever after.
But do consider how much time and energy you have to ensure the safety and happiness of every animal in your home. With time and training, most cats, dogs and humans can live well together.
If you have a resident cat, consider your cat's age, size, sex and temperament. If your cat is mature in years or has a history of not liking other cats, you may want to think about getting two younger cats or kittens as playmates.
While your older female may love to play and snuggle with you, she might not like the younger generation. And although older males have a reputation for making lovely substitute moms to young kittens, be prepared for their nerves to grow thin during the teenage growth period.
Is your cat active? Or does your cat prefer to snuggle and look for warm sunbeams? If your cat is active, consider adopting another active cat around the same age and size. Here again, males tend to be more adaptable, but young females can do well, too, especially if you have a confident male at home. Cats of similar weight are more equally matched, which helps to avoid the bully syndrome. Rule of thumb: High energy plus high energy equals two cats who can entertain one another. High energy plus mellow energy means someone will end up getting frustrated.
Lifestyle considerations
If you have no four-legged friends at home and are looking to add a little spice to your life, it's a good idea to assess your lifestyle first. If you work eight to 10 hours a day, consider adopting two cats or kittens together so that they will have one another as company while you are away. Plus, you'll have twice the love when you come home.
Two kittens of the same general age and weight tend to remain more open-minded toward each other. Help them continue to feel secure when puberty kicks in by having more than one litter box, several water and food bowls and enough treats around the house to make sure there is nothing to fight about.
Family factors
If you have children 5 years old or younger, young kittens are not really the best idea. Kitten-play does not work well with toddler-play and vice versa. We suggest taking a look at "last year's kittens." Most adult cats will play, cuddle and adjust to your home with success. With older cats, what you see is generally what you get. And that will set you and your children up for a much more enjoyable friendship.
Remember: There are no guaranteed formulas for a perfect feline match. But by following these guidelines and familiarizing yourself with the proper methods for feline introductions, you will have an easier adjustment period.
Laura Hazard is the cat behavior consultant at the Marin Humane Society.
Tails of Marin appears every Saturday in the Home & Garden section of the Marin Independent Journal
