Getting A New Kitten Or Not ?

I have an elderly dog and I am about to get two kittens (moggies) . Niece’s pedigree cat was visited by a local tom! I opted for two as I thought they would be better with company though reading this it seems not . Would welcome some advice on the best way to introduce them to the dog ?

Two breeds of cat that should be kept indoors are the Birman and the Ragdoll. Firstly they would be stolen as both very trusting and affectionate. Secondly they are striking to look at with deep blue eyes. They have no road sense and another cat would easily bully them . They can be taken out in the garden on a leash or you can have a catio built for them so they are outside but safe . There must be thousands of indoor cats, I'm sure there must be other breeds that are kept indoors for their own safety. They don't look to go out when they've only been used to being indoors. I'm always watching if the doors are open because I know if mine got out I'd never see her again.

I wonder how many people have indoot cats. My ex bought a kitten and because she lived next to a busy road, the kitten was kept indoors for her own safety. Because the kitten had plenty of toys and was neutered at 5 months old to stop her trying ro escape from the flat in season, she seemed to accept she would never go outdoors.

When we've had multiple cats, none of them ever bonded. The best we could hope for was icy silent pretending the other didn't exist. Otherwise. claws at dawn. One cat became very bonded with one of our dogs and they slept together like lovers, with the cat pressed against the dogs chest and its "arms" round the cat.
Same cat had no interest in any other dogs.

I've had cats all my life and have never had any problems with two of differing ages. Sometimes they become very companionable, sometimes they don't, but I've never had any the 'hated' each other. The ones that aren't companionable are quite amicable, just not bosom buddies.

My little dog thinks he's a cat anyway and the cats get on well with him.

I find it best to introduce a male kitten to an older female cat, and vice versa. Mine have always been 'moggies', perhaps pedigree cats think differently

I wouldn't discourage anyone who wants to introduce a kitten to an older cat.

Snowbelle

Maybe 2 Asian breed kittens.

My cat is a girl Ragdoll . They are a very loving breed .
My favourite breed is the Birman which again are very affectionate. I would either go for another Ragdoll but a boy or a girl Birman . Going to wait a bit longer and think about it. I've had a Birman girl and boy and a Ragdoll girl and boy before all together. They all loved their own breed but wouldn't mix with the other breed . Snobs LOL !

Maybe 2 Asian breed kittens.

Definitely don’t count on an older cat approving of a new kitten. Mine still loathe each other after NINE YEARS.

We once had a very old cat and wanted a new kitten. The rescue centre said we should have two kittens, who would play together and leave the old one alone.
This worked well but the kittens slept with our old lady and kept her warm, which she loved.

She isn't afraid of the dogs and she likes to drink from their water bowl. When the dogs go up to her she gives them a sharp tap on the nose and the dogs turn and walk away. It's rather funny to see .

I had her spayed as I didn't want to breed , she has never shown any signs of wanting to mother .
I think I'll keep her on her own , she seems happy so I won't upset things .

We have had a few cats - always one at a time! Our present cat is a rescue ( as they all were) all have been happy on their own . She is amazing! and perfectly happy as the only cat in the house.

Chardy

I've always had more than one cat all my adult life, and for the last 30 years they've always been house cats, usually Siamese. Some have been same litter, sometimes not, sometimes totally different ages. Sometimes, with a dog too. Once we got 2 kittens for our elderly cat, who'd just lost her sister. They all got on fine. However if the age difference is big (over 7 years?) the kitten may not understand why the older cat doesn't want to play, so think about 2 kittens?!!

Currently my 2 (different ages) are snuggled together in front of a window. A few hours ago, one was snuggled into the dog.

To me, they are a little family, they ignore each other, they love each other, but there's always company there if they want it. So yes, I'd get a kitten, but I'd get another ragdoll - similar size, similar disposition

Sorry I should have said that I've only ever had female cats

How well does she get on with the dogs?

She is obviously fond of you, so I suspect she would feel hurt if you wished a kitten upon her, unless she has shown signs of wanting something to mother.

If you do decide to get a kitten, find a male, Usually, grown cats are happier accepting a member of the opposite sex.

I've always had more than one cat all my adult life, and for the last 30 years they've always been house cats, usually Siamese. Some have been same litter, sometimes not, sometimes totally different ages. Sometimes, with a dog too. Once we got 2 kittens for our elderly cat, who'd just lost her sister. They all got on fine. However if the age difference is big (over 7 years?) the kitten may not understand why the older cat doesn't want to play, so think about 2 kittens?!!

Currently my 2 (different ages) are snuggled together in front of a window. A few hours ago, one was snuggled into the dog.

To me, they are a little family, they ignore each other, they love each other, but there's always company there if they want it. So yes, I'd get a kitten, but I'd get another ragdoll - similar size, similar disposition

Whitewavemark2

sparkle my little rescue Roo is very affectionate, but still hasn’t yet got over her fear of legs and particularly men’s legs. Nor anything that resembles a stick. But in every other way she is splendid. We welcomed her last February.

She has put on a lot of weight - her appetite is enormous! I can see me having to count her calories 😊

I remember you posting about Roo. My Mia was fostered for a few months while she had a litter of kittens. She was not much more than a kitten herself. Like Roo, since her first day with me she has eaten very well indeed (although at first only when I wasn't there, when she would come out from under the spare bed, eat a heap of food and use the litter tray.) She was a skinny little girl back then.

The foster carer was very kind but it was a noisy household with 2 yappy dogs and 3 of her own cats, probably not ideal for a terrified little cat who had had a bad time. My household is just me and much more peaceful, so perhaps she is now able to relax, hence the appetite. Maybe the same applies to Roo? It sounds like a man has kicked Roo in the past, poor little soul.

Now Mia's coat has thickened up and she has gained weight, and is much loved and spoilt.

cats really don't want company. We had 2 cats who only "enjoyed" the company of the other when in a cat box going to the vets. Otherwise they hated each other
I may have given a different answer if it was a question about dogs

Your cat is perfectly happy being on her own and I expect that she rules the roost with your dogs .
I've had many cats and dogs .
I only recall one set of two cats being company for each other .
Dogs don't always want other dogs either.
Animals don't think like humans .

none of our cats ever liked each other. They all pretended the other cats did not exist

I lived with cats all my life until recently. I don't have one now.

My take on the subject is that some cats love the company of other cats and some are happier being a one and only in a household. I have had several cats that have made it very clear that they do not like living in a commune.

I had one who, in spite of being part of a cat community from birth, insisted on being fed on top of the fridge and used to growl under her breath if any of the happy communards came near.

LaCrepescule

Cats aren’t social so best have her as the only one. Surprised being a cat owner that you don’t know this but sounds like you have a home filled with love.

The reason I asked this question is when I had my 5 cats all living together I had 2 pedigree Birmans, who only played with each other, 2 pedigree Ragdolls that only played with each other and one moggy that kept himself to himself. It was like they knew which was the same pedigree as them. Lol .
This is a home filled with love . There's always someone wanting a cuddle.

I've had dogs all my life and came a cat lover later in life .
I will be keeping Lily as an only cat , I want her to be happy.

Thank you all for your replies, it's put my mind at rest .

my little rescue Roo is very affectionate, but still hasn’t yet got over her fear of legs and particularly men’s legs. Nor anything that resembles a stick.
Poor little thing! Thank goodness she is with you now.

sparkle my little rescue Roo is very affectionate, but still hasn’t yet got over her fear of legs and particularly men’s legs. Nor anything that resembles a stick. But in every other way she is splendid. We welcomed her last February.

She has put on a lot of weight - her appetite is enormous! I can see me having to count her calories 😊

I've had cats all my life and even siblings often don't get on with each other. Most cats prefer to be an "only child" and you've had her for 3 years as a solo cat. I really think it could cause a big problem to bring another cat into her territory.

She sounds really lovely and affectionate. My little rescue cat, Mia, took quite a while to settle when I first adopted her in April. She hid under the spare bed for 2 weeks and hissed and swiped at me, and took the odd bite. I persevered with plenty of TLC and now she is a very affectionate and sweet girl who gets out of her bed to come to the loo with me in the night just like your girl does.

Enjoy her.

Cats aren’t social so best have her as the only one. Surprised being a cat owner that you don’t know this but sounds like you have a home filled with love.

And also just to say, don’t forget we are social animals, and look at it from our perspective - cats largely aren’t.