Ragdoll Cat

I added 2 rescue kittens to my household of 3 cats and it has been a pissfest and a hissfest ever since. I personally wouldn't do it.....

My DH and I both had cats before we moved in together. We hoped they would accept each other and get along fine but it didn't happen. DH's cat was an alpha male and didn't want to share his house with another cat. We tried to get the two used to each other before we actually moved but everytime they were in the same room, DH's cat attacked mine. We ended up having to adopt out my cat. It was devistating but DH's cat was FIV positive and we could risk my cat getting scratched and infected. It worked out great and my cat got a fantastic home where he still is to this day.

The point of my long-winded story is to say that just because you want a cat doesn't mean that your cat wants a new cat. It can be hard trying to get them used to each other, especially if they are both older.

I love Ragdolls and Maine Coons. I would take it. We have 2 cats and as long as the cats involved can work it out or at least avoid each other, it should be fine. Our cats do not looooove each other but one cat is a crazy DSH torti and one cat is our big, laid back mushball Maine Coon. He licks her head. She smacks him in the face. But they don't fight much. Many cats (there are always exceptions) like a companion. We've always tried to keep a pair.

You can consider something like Feliway to help the stress levels. I would also make sure that each cat has his/her own food dish, litterbox and place to retreat if necessary.

2 is not that much different than one when it comes to cats, just make sure you clean the litterbox daily and keep an eye on water bowls.

My parents integrated a Ragdoll kitten into a household with a Maine Coon and Tabby. Cats work best in pairs if they are male/female, and if they are the same, there will be an adjustment period until one declares the other as the Alpha cat. Having two cats is about 1.1 times more difficult than having 1. No big deal for humans, really. Remember to tell your apartment managers that you are adding another cat to the household. On the first day, close your old cat into a bedroom and let the new kitty wonder around smelling the old cat. Then do a change up.

We've had as many as four cats at a time. (More than four is against city regulations.) Cats can sometimes take a while to get along, because they have to work out a hierarchy of sorts. But, with only one exception, there was never out-and-out fighting among ours.

Get the Ragdoll checked by your own vet and find out what you need to do to help him/her be healthy. Ragdolls need brushing, I understand, so get into a good schedule for that (my shorthairs love brushing, too). Have two litter boxes, or even three. Cats vary in their toleration of less-than-pristine litter boxes, so you're on the safe side if you have one for each cat plus one. (You can alter that later if you don't need the third.)

If your cats will be on different food, you feed them separately. One of my cats has a health issue, so I feed both cats the dry food that works for the sick one, and it is all right for the other, too (that's their main food). They also get a little wet food - there's a long story why, which I won't go into - but that's different food for each, in separate parts of the house. They have me well trained as to where they prefer to eat.

For a while, at least, treat your cats as if they were children, in that you give both plenty of attention, so there won't be jealousy or stress issues. Peaceful coexistence is what you want to aim for; maybe down the road they will really become friends, too.

Is there a way you can help the other cats find good homes? Perhaps you have cat-loving friends. And surely Dallas has non-profit organizations devoted to fostering needy cats and finding good homes for them.

Double the cat- double the pee and poop. Expect to clean out that litter box more often. Other than that, there is really no extra work that goes into it. You know cats take care of themselves for the most part.

I've had cats my entire life. I currently have two (and usually have no more than three).

I advise that you get a spayed or neutered cat that is the opposite gender of the one you currently have. I also recommend that you give the new kitty a bath and rub it all over with one of your towels (one you've used after your shower) before introductions occur.

Then put the new kitty into another room with food, water and a litter box of their own...and close the door. Let them sniff one another under the door for a few days (of course you should go in often and give new kitty affection and petting). Ignore growls, strange noises, etc. And resist the urge to put them together in there.

When you open the door in a few days, just let them do their thing. Go about your business and completely ignore them both. If one or both goes and hides, just let them. They'll get used to one another in their own time.

The last kitty I brought home...it took about two full weeks for them to be comfortable in the same room together. But I completely skipped the whole separate room thing because the cat I had is very tolerant and bothered by nothing (raised with dogs and small children). You have to figure out what you cat needs...if he's very skittish, the introductions might be harder.

Today my kitties sleep together just fine, play, and get in the occasional "argument."

Good luck!

It's usually fine to add another cat -particularly if both cats are grown. If you have a grown, older cat and add a kitten, that can sometimes be problematic, but this will probably be no issue. They may like each other or decide to steer clear of each other, but there will probably be no big problems. I would opt for a female if the one you already have is a male -or vice versa. I would even have to females. I know plenty of people with more than one male cat, but that can sometimes be problematic -even if they're neutered.

I had a ragdoll cat as a teen we rescued from the pound! She was wonderful!

heh. it usually works out fine, but we're living in a war zone right now. my son's best friend is living with us until summer, and we let him bring his beloved cat, who is sister to one of our cats. how sweet! the sisters will reunite!
ha!
we've progressed past the screaming fights with blood everywhere and reached a state of wary loathing. but my smallest cat (the non-sister) lives in a constant state of anxiety. it's really not okay. if it weren't a temporary situation we'd have to re-home somebody, which would be devastating.
but i think our situation is extreme. for the most part if you introduce them gently (through a closed door is a good start) and supervise the initial contact, things go okay. usually goes better if one of the cats is a kitten (kittens seem to have built-in mechanisms to stop adult cats from hating their guts) but i know a lot of people who have integrated cat households and had it work out just fine. my husband and i did when we moved in together.
not to highjack your thread, but what's the deal with ragdolls? i love 'em too, but from what i've read, they're bred especially to have no defense mechanisms, ie the limpness when you pick them up is an atypical response to potential danger. is that true?
khairete
S.

I would take it, not necessarily because it's a ragdoll, but because you'll be helping the cat AND the person. (It would be WONDERFUL if you would help find homes for the other cats as well!!!).

It's not really any extra work or hassle having more than one. The initial adjustment time may vary and at times may be quite scary and make you re-think your decision. BUT, once they get used to each other, you'll get twice as much pleasure! Watching my 2 play together is just awesome - I swear it lowers my blood pressure! They make me laugh. They LOVE my Great Dane - she thinks they're all her babies and she gets upset when they quarrel.

I didn't do the 'separate room' thing, although I've heard it is a good way to introduce a new pet.

I would take it straight to the vet for spay/neuter and shots. If your vet does grooming, it wouldn't hurt to have that done too. It would erase the smell of all the other cats.

Take the cat and enjoy the double treasure!

Good luck - keep us posted!

C.

Not much different and most get along great, some with a little extra work. We have three cats and a dog and they all play and sleep together.

Depending on the care the cat has had and if there is a possibility of inbreeding you may want a vet check first just to make sure there are no serious problems and if there are you know what you are getting into. I know you already mentioned having her vaccines updated and spaying her. Also make sure to have a feline leukemia and FIV test done since if she has either your current cat could get them. I can't remember if ragdolls are more likely to have heart problems or not.

It sounds like a great deal and having met a couple of ragdolla they are wonderful. I hope it works out Nd everyone loves your new family.member.

I've had 2 cats. It really was not a hassle.
I had 2 litter boxes.
And 2 food bowls etc.

Then, the existing cat has to adapt to having another cat around. And the new one has to adapt to a whole different household.
Being it came from a place of neglect.

And yes, getting it spayed or neutered and brought back to good health and a good check up.

Oh gosh. I cannot say what it is like to have two cats but we used to have a ragdoll cat and he was the BEST cat ever! We got him from our in-laws when they had to move and he would lay on his back and let you rub his belly and let you do whatever you wanted with him. Everyone that came over fell in love with him.