Bets cat to adopt – male or female?
Question:
> We have an 8-year-old male inside cat and want to adopt another cat. We’ve > asked several people what kind of cat (male or female) would be best to get, > and we’ve had varying answers. Some say they’ve had perfect luck with two > males, and others said no way, get a female–that it will be less stressful > for the current cat (submission/dominance issues?). So, I was wondering what > the consensus was here?
I used to think that it was best to put a male with a female, so I was surprised to learn a couple of years ago that Dr. Karen Overall, who is one of the foremost animal behaviorists in the U.S., recommends pairing cats up by gender – males with males and females with females. But I think what is most important is to select a kitty that gets along well with other cats, and avoid those who have been designated as recommended for single-cat homes. > Secondarily, our current cat is fully declawed (he just is, please don’t get > into a debate here). We’ve been told our adoptive kitty should also be > declawed (fairness? safety?). We’re looking at declawed cats, but they’re > all front declawed only. I don’t want to get a cat declawed, so would it be > okay to have a fully-declawed and a front-declawed-only cat?
If the cats are properly introduced then whether or not the second cat has claws should not make any difference. However, if you do decide to have a declawed cat, *please* find an already-declawed cat at your local shelter rather than adopting a fully clawed cat and then declawing it.
Response:
> We have an 8-year-old male inside cat and want to adopt another cat. We’ve > asked several people what kind of cat (male or female) would be best to get, > and we’ve had varying answers. Some say they’ve had perfect luck with two > males, and others said no way, get a female–that it will be less stressful > for the current cat (submission/dominance issues?). So, I was wondering what > the consensus was here?
Pick a cat whose personality meshes with your cat’s. Gender is irrelevant, but age may be. Perhaps consider an older cat? > Secondarily, our current cat is fully declawed (he just is, please don’t get > into a debate here). We’ve been told our adoptive kitty should also be > declawed (fairness? safety?). We’re looking at declawed cats, but they’re > all front declawed only. I don’t want to get a cat declawed, so would it be > okay to have a fully-declawed and a front-declawed-only cat?
One of my cats was declawed when I got him. The other three, I had from kittenhood and they are all fully and sharply clawed. The one without claws beats up the ones with claws. Therefore, you can safely assume that declaw status will not give one cat an unfair advantage over another. 
Laura — One man’s mundane and boring existence is another man’s Technicolor. -Tick, Strange Days
Response:
So glad you are welcoming another kitty into the house. I adopted 5 year old PAtches (female) and 2 year old Cud (male) on the advice that a male and female would get along well. Well they didn’t and still don’t. I could tell Cud needed a playmate – especially to distract him from bothering his sister. Also on the advice of someone, I adopted a six month old make kitten for Cud, and they have been best buddies, after the initial hissing. I think getting a young male will work – like a six month old – or no older than a year. I believe they will work out the dominance thing – with your 8 year old probably ending up as dominant. When we adopted them, Patches and Cud were already front declawed. I think clawed and declawed cats can get along. Good luck. Stephanie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> We have an 8-year-old male inside cat and want to adopt another cat. We’ve > asked several people what kind of cat (male or female) would be best to get, > and we’ve had varying answers. Some say they’ve had perfect luck with two > males, and others said no way, get a female–that it will be less stressful > for the current cat (submission/dominance issues?). So, I was wondering what > the consensus was here? > Secondarily, our current cat is fully declawed (he just is, please don’t get > into a debate here). We’ve been told our adoptive kitty should also be > declawed (fairness? safety?). We’re looking at declawed cats, but they’re > all front declawed only. I don’t want to get a cat declawed, so would it be > okay to have a fully-declawed and a front-declawed-only cat?
Response:
adopt – male or female?: >One of my cats was declawed when I got him. The other three, I had >from kittenhood and they are all fully and sharply clawed. The one >without claws beats up the ones with claws.
My declawed-when-I-got-her cat beats up the DOG! Well…. she swats him across the face and snarls at him and he backs away… if she is in a hallway he won’t go past her. She’s been known to walk up to him just to swat him. She also uses the scratching post more often than my two younger cats (fully clawed). Therefore, you can safely >assume that declaw status will not give one cat an unfair advantage >over another. >Laura
I would imagine it helps (at least it seems to in my household) that the ones with claws were kittens when I got them, so at least a part of their mind sees Molly (the declawed one) as The Big Senior Kitty. FWIW, they’re all female. I didn’t plan it that way, it’s just how it worked out. The two younger ones (about 6 months apart in age) are inseparable. Molly puts up with them in varying degrees. The middle one, Anya, is very playful and gets on her nerves a fair bit, which is met with a sound swat. The youngest, Hecate, is more respectful and is occasionally allowed to curl up on a chair with her. Never had a mixed-sex cat household, but I do know that when I adopted Anya, there was a couple who were adopting her brother and they said that they’d have taken her too, but they had all male cats and they (the cats) wouldn’t tolerate a female, they’d tried before and it didn’t work. Atalanta Pendragonne http://www.BmeWorld.com/atalanta/ – Snake’s Slash Pit (Adults Only!) http://members.fortunecity.com/atalantapendragonne - The Amazing Shrinking Atalanta TRUE! Nervous, very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad?
Response:
> >One of my cats was declawed when I got him. The other three, I had >from kittenhood and they are all fully and sharply clawed. The one >without claws beats up the ones with claws. > My declawed-when-I-got-her cat beats up the DOG!
I once had a roommate who had a beagle and whose brother had a black lab that he would bring over all of the time. Alex beat the snot out of both dogs; they were deathly afraid of him. <G> (Alex is the declawed cat) > Well…. she swats him across the face and snarls at him and he backs > away… if she is in a hallway he won’t go past her. She’s been known > to walk up to him just to swat him.
Sounds like Alex. 
> She also uses the scratching post more often than my two younger cats > (fully clawed).
Alex "claws" any vertical surface he can find, and looks utterly blissed out when he does it. Laura — One man’s mundane and boring existence is another man’s Technicolor. -Tick, Strange Days
Response:
adopt – male or female?: > She also uses the scratching post more often than my two younger cats > (fully clawed). >Alex "claws" any vertical surface he can find, and looks utterly >blissed out when he does it. >Laura
For whatever reason, Molly prefers to "scratch" horizontally. The carpeted stairs, the slanted scratching post, but most especially the log in the holder by the fireplace, which of course we now can’t burn, because it’s MOLLY’s log! Atalanta Pendragonne http://www.BmeWorld.com/atalanta/ – Snake’s Slash Pit (Adults Only!) http://members.fortunecity.com/atalantapendragonne - The Amazing Shrinking Atalanta TRUE! Nervous, very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad?
Response:
Actually I am at that dilemma right now. I have a female cat right now so I am probably going to get a male to balance things out. I’ll probably choose a kitten so it is less threatening and maybe Isis might take better to having a male cat. However, I am sure a female kitten will also do fine as well. Isis has been the only cat so I am going handle this one with kid gloves. — Cat Galaxy- The Internet radio station for cats. Meow meow meow!! http://www.live365.com/stations/231353 Real Player and Winamp: 66.28.48.193:10518 The forum for felines everywhere. Join the Cats forum on Delphi http://forums.delphiforums.com/Felinefrenzy/start
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> We have an 8-year-old male inside cat and want to adopt another cat. We’ve > asked several people what kind of cat (male or female) would be best to get, > and we’ve had varying answers. Some say they’ve had perfect luck with two > males, and others said no way, get a female–that it will be less stressful > for the current cat (submission/dominance issues?). So, I was wondering what > the consensus was here? > Secondarily, our current cat is fully declawed (he just is, please don’t get > into a debate here). We’ve been told our adoptive kitty should also be > declawed (fairness? safety?). We’re looking at declawed cats, but they’re > all front declawed only. I don’t want to get a cat declawed, so would it be > okay to have a fully-declawed and a front-declawed-only cat?
Response:
We have an 8-year-old male inside cat and want to adopt another cat. We’ve asked several people what kind of cat (male or female) would be best to get, and we’ve had varying answers. Some say they’ve had perfect luck with two males, and others said no way, get a female–that it will be less stressful for the current cat (submission/dominance issues?). So, I was wondering what the consensus was here? Secondarily, our current cat is fully declawed (he just is, please don’t get into a debate here). We’ve been told our adoptive kitty should also be declawed (fairness? safety?). We’re looking at declawed cats, but they’re all front declawed only. I don’t want to get a cat declawed, so would it be okay to have a fully-declawed and a front-declawed-only cat?
Response:
> We have an 8-year-old male inside cat and want to adopt another cat. We’ve > asked several people what kind of cat (male or female) would be best to get, > and we’ve had varying answers. Some say they’ve had perfect luck with two > males, and others said no way, get a female–that it will be less stressful > for the current cat (submission/dominance issues?). So, I was wondering what > the consensus was here? > Secondarily, our current cat is fully declawed (he just is, please don’t get > into a debate here). We’ve been told our adoptive kitty should also be > declawed (fairness? safety?). We’re looking at declawed cats, but they’re > all front declawed only. I don’t want to get a cat declawed, so would it be > okay to have a fully-declawed and a front-declawed-only cat?
In my opinion and experience, even clawed and declawed are fine together. Karen
Response:
> We have an 8-year-old male inside cat and want to adopt another cat. We’ve > asked several people what kind of cat (male or female) would be best to get, > and we’ve had varying answers. Some say they’ve had perfect luck with two > males, and others said no way, get a female–that it will be less stressful > for the current cat (submission/dominance issues?). So, I was wondering what > the consensus was here?
I believe its all in the way you introduce them. A slow intro almost always results in cats that get along, regradless of gender. > Secondarily, our current cat is fully declawed (he just is, please don’t get > into a debate here). We’ve been told our adoptive kitty should also be > declawed (fairness? safety?). We’re looking at declawed cats, but they’re > all front declawed only. I don’t want to get a cat declawed, so would it be > okay to have a fully-declawed and a front-declawed-only cat?
I have one declawed kitty in a house of twelve other fully clawed and we’ve NEVER had any problems. Most cats coexist the majority of their time together without serious fighting. But if you are worried, a front declaw should be perfectly fine with a fully declawed. ;) Sethran – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –
Response:
> We have an 8-year-old male inside cat and want to adopt another cat. We’ve > asked several people what kind of cat (male or female) would be best to get, > and we’ve had varying answers. Some say they’ve had perfect luck with two > males, and others said no way, get a female–that it will be less stressful > for the current cat (submission/dominance issues?). So, I was wondering what > the consensus was here?
As long as both of your cats (new and old) are neutered/spayed, gender should not be a big issue. I would choose one female and one male just for variety, but I don’t think it matters if they are both fixed. Just understand the introduction process will be difficult depending on your cats no matter if it is a male or female that you get. Introduce them slowly and with supervision and after some time, you won’t need to worry. > Secondarily, our current cat is fully declawed (he just is, please don’t get > into a debate here). We’ve been told our adoptive kitty should also be > declawed (fairness? safety?). We’re looking at declawed cats, but they’re > all front declawed only. I don’t want to get a cat declawed, so would it be > okay to have a fully-declawed and a front-declawed-only cat?
I have 5 cats, all clawed. They don’t all get along all of the time, and there are the occasional fights. However, one thing I’ve noticed in their fights is that they rarely if ever use their claws. They mostly posture and meow, and if they get physical, its with their paw-NOT claws. So, I wouldn’t even worry about a fully clawed cat-as long as they are properly supervised until you are sure they get along. I also appriciate the fact that you want to adopt an already-delcawed cat from the shelter. Thats wonderful that you will save a cat from a life at the shelter. :) If the only declawed cats they have are front-declawed, it will be fine. If they fight close enough that the one with claws on his back feet will get the 4 paw declawed, then that means they are also using their teeth, which is MUCH more dangerous anyway, so you would have bigger fish to fry. — http://www.stacyinthecity.com http://www.frogduck.com
Response:
> We have an 8-year-old male inside cat and want to adopt another cat. We’ve > asked several people what kind of cat (male or female) would be best to get, > and we’ve had varying answers. Some say they’ve had perfect luck with two > males, and others said no way, get a female–that it will be less stressful > for the current cat (submission/dominance issues?). So, I was wondering what > the consensus was here?
I used to think that it was best to put a male with a female, so I was surprised to learn a couple of years ago that Dr. Karen Overall, who is one of the foremost animal behaviorists in the U.S., recommends pairing cats up by gender – males with males and females with females. But I think what is most important is to select a kitty that gets along well with other cats, and avoid those who have been designated as recommended for single-cat homes. > Secondarily, our current cat is fully declawed (he just is, please don’t get > into a debate here). We’ve been told our adoptive kitty should also be > declawed (fairness? safety?). We’re looking at declawed cats, but they’re > all front declawed only. I don’t want to get a cat declawed, so would it be > okay to have a fully-declawed and a front-declawed-only cat?
If the cats are properly introduced then whether or not the second cat has claws should not make any difference. However, if you do decide to have a declawed cat, *please* find an already-declawed cat at your local shelter rather than adopting a fully clawed cat and then declawing it.
Response:
> We have an 8-year-old male inside cat and want to adopt another cat. We’ve > asked several people what kind of cat (male or female) would be best to get, > and we’ve had varying answers. Some say they’ve had perfect luck with two > males, and others said no way, get a female–that it will be less stressful > for the current cat (submission/dominance issues?). So, I was wondering what > the consensus was here?
Pick a cat whose personality meshes with your cat’s. Gender is irrelevant, but age may be. Perhaps consider an older cat? > Secondarily, our current cat is fully declawed (he just is, please don’t get > into a debate here). We’ve been told our adoptive kitty should also be > declawed (fairness? safety?). We’re looking at declawed cats, but they’re > all front declawed only. I don’t want to get a cat declawed, so would it be > okay to have a fully-declawed and a front-declawed-only cat?
One of my cats was declawed when I got him. The other three, I had from kittenhood and they are all fully and sharply clawed. The one without claws beats up the ones with claws. Therefore, you can safely assume that declaw status will not give one cat an unfair advantage over another. Laura — One man’s mundane and boring existence is another man’s Technicolor. -Tick, Strange Days
Response:
So glad you are welcoming another kitty into the house. I adopted 5 year old PAtches (female) and 2 year old Cud (male) on the advice that a male and female would get along well. Well they didn’t and still don’t. I could tell Cud needed a playmate – especially to distract him from bothering his sister. Also on the advice of someone, I adopted a six month old make kitten for Cud, and they have been best buddies, after the initial hissing. I think getting a young male will work – like a six month old – or no older than a year. I believe they will work out the dominance thing – with your 8 year old probably ending up as dominant. When we adopted them, Patches and Cud were already front declawed. I think clawed and declawed cats can get along. Good luck. Stephanie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> We have an 8-year-old male inside cat and want to adopt another cat. We’ve > asked several people what kind of cat (male or female) would be best to get, > and we’ve had varying answers. Some say they’ve had perfect luck with two > males, and others said no way, get a female–that it will be less stressful > for the current cat (submission/dominance issues?). So, I was wondering what > the consensus was here? > Secondarily, our current cat is fully declawed (he just is, please don’t get > into a debate here). We’ve been told our adoptive kitty should also be > declawed (fairness? safety?). We’re looking at declawed cats, but they’re > all front declawed only. I don’t want to get a cat declawed, so would it be > okay to have a fully-declawed and a front-declawed-only cat?
Response:
adopt – male or female?: >One of my cats was declawed when I got him. The other three, I had >from kittenhood and they are all fully and sharply clawed. The one >without claws beats up the ones with claws.
My declawed-when-I-got-her cat beats up the DOG! Well…. she swats him across the face and snarls at him and he backs away… if she is in a hallway he won’t go past her. She’s been known to walk up to him just to swat him. She also uses the scratching post more often than my two younger cats (fully clawed). Therefore, you can safely >assume that declaw status will not give one cat an unfair advantage >over another. >Laura
I would imagine it helps (at least it seems to in my household) that the ones with claws were kittens when I got them, so at least a part of their mind sees Molly (the declawed one) as The Big Senior Kitty. FWIW, they’re all female. I didn’t plan it that way, it’s just how it worked out. The two younger ones (about 6 months apart in age) are inseparable. Molly puts up with them in varying degrees. The middle one, Anya, is very playful and gets on her nerves a fair bit, which is met with a sound swat. The youngest, Hecate, is more respectful and is occasionally allowed to curl up on a chair with her. Never had a mixed-sex cat household, but I do know that when I adopted Anya, there was a couple who were adopting her brother and they said that they’d have taken her too, but they had all male cats and they (the cats) wouldn’t tolerate a female, they’d tried before and it didn’t work. Atalanta Pendragonne http://www.BmeWorld.com/atalanta/ – Snake’s Slash Pit (Adults Only!) http://members.fortunecity.com/atalantapendragonne - The Amazing Shrinking Atalanta TRUE! Nervous, very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad?
Response:
> >One of my cats was declawed when I got him. The other three, I had >from kittenhood and they are all fully and sharply clawed. The one >without claws beats up the ones with claws. > My declawed-when-I-got-her cat beats up the DOG!
I once had a roommate who had a beagle and whose brother had a black lab that he would bring over all of the time. Alex beat the snot out of both dogs; they were deathly afraid of him. <G> (Alex is the declawed cat) > Well…. she swats him across the face and snarls at him and he backs > away… if she is in a hallway he won’t go past her. She’s been known > to walk up to him just to swat him.
Sounds like Alex. > She also uses the scratching post more often than my two younger cats > (fully clawed).
Alex "claws" any vertical surface he can find, and looks utterly blissed out when he does it. Laura — One man’s mundane and boring existence is another man’s Technicolor. -Tick, Strange Days
Response:
adopt – male or female?: > She also uses the scratching post more often than my two younger cats > (fully clawed). >Alex "claws" any vertical surface he can find, and looks utterly >blissed out when he does it. >Laura
For whatever reason, Molly prefers to "scratch" horizontally. The carpeted stairs, the slanted scratching post, but most especially the log in the holder by the fireplace, which of course we now can’t burn, because it’s MOLLY’s log! Atalanta Pendragonne http://www.BmeWorld.com/atalanta/ – Snake’s Slash Pit (Adults Only!) http://members.fortunecity.com/atalantapendragonne - The Amazing Shrinking Atalanta TRUE! Nervous, very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad?
Response:
Actually I am at that dilemma right now. I have a female cat right now so I am probably going to get a male to balance things out. I’ll probably choose a kitten so it is less threatening and maybe Isis might take better to having a male cat. However, I am sure a female kitten will also do fine as well. Isis has been the only cat so I am going handle this one with kid gloves. — Cat Galaxy- The Internet radio station for cats. Meow meow meow!! http://www.live365.com/stations/231353 Real Player and Winamp: 66.28.48.193:10518 The forum for felines everywhere. Join the Cats forum on Delphi http://forums.delphiforums.com/Felinefrenzy/start
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> We have an 8-year-old male inside cat and want to adopt another cat. We’ve > asked several people what kind of cat (male or female) would be best to get, > and we’ve had varying answers. Some say they’ve had perfect luck with two > males, and others said no way, get a female–that it will be less stressful > for the current cat (submission/dominance issues?). So, I was wondering what > the consensus was here? > Secondarily, our current cat is fully declawed (he just is, please don’t get > into a debate here). We’ve been told our adoptive kitty should also be > declawed (fairness? safety?). We’re looking at declawed cats, but they’re > all front declawed only. I don’t want to get a cat declawed, so would it be > okay to have a fully-declawed and a front-declawed-only cat?
Response:
We have an 8-year-old male inside cat and want to adopt another cat. We’ve asked several people what kind of cat (male or female) would be best to get, and we’ve had varying answers. Some say they’ve had perfect luck with two males, and others said no way, get a female–that it will be less stressful for the current cat (submission/dominance issues?). So, I was wondering what the consensus was here? Secondarily, our current cat is fully declawed (he just is, please don’t get into a debate here). We’ve been told our adoptive kitty should also be declawed (fairness? safety?). We’re looking at declawed cats, but they’re all front declawed only. I don’t want to get a cat declawed, so would it be okay to have a fully-declawed and a front-declawed-only cat?
Response:
> We have an 8-year-old male inside cat and want to adopt another cat. We’ve > asked several people what kind of cat (male or female) would be best to get, > and we’ve had varying answers. Some say they’ve had perfect luck with two > males, and others said no way, get a female–that it will be less stressful > for the current cat (submission/dominance issues?). So, I was wondering what > the consensus was here? > Secondarily, our current cat is fully declawed (he just is, please don’t get > into a debate here). We’ve been told our adoptive kitty should also be > declawed (fairness? safety?). We’re looking at declawed cats, but they’re > all front declawed only. I don’t want to get a cat declawed, so would it be > okay to have a fully-declawed and a front-declawed-only cat?
In my opinion and experience, even clawed and declawed are fine together. Karen
Response:
> We have an 8-year-old male inside cat and want to adopt another cat. We’ve > asked several people what kind of cat (male or female) would be best to get, > and we’ve had varying answers. Some say they’ve had perfect luck with two > males, and others said no way, get a female–that it will be less stressful > for the current cat (submission/dominance issues?). So, I was wondering what > the consensus was here?
I believe its all in the way you introduce them. A slow intro almost always results in cats that get along, regradless of gender. > Secondarily, our current cat is fully declawed (he just is, please don’t get > into a debate here). We’ve been told our adoptive kitty should also be > declawed (fairness? safety?). We’re looking at declawed cats, but they’re > all front declawed only. I don’t want to get a cat declawed, so would it be > okay to have a fully-declawed and a front-declawed-only cat?
I have one declawed kitty in a house of twelve other fully clawed and we’ve NEVER had any problems. Most cats coexist the majority of their time together without serious fighting. But if you are worried, a front declaw should be perfectly fine with a fully declawed. ;) Sethran – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –
Response:
> We have an 8-year-old male inside cat and want to adopt another cat. We’ve > asked several people what kind of cat (male or female) would be best to get, > and we’ve had varying answers. Some say they’ve had perfect luck with two > males, and others said no way, get a female–that it will be less stressful > for the current cat (submission/dominance issues?). So, I was wondering what > the consensus was here?
As long as both of your cats (new and old) are neutered/spayed, gender should not be a big issue. I would choose one female and one male just for variety, but I don’t think it matters if they are both fixed. Just understand the introduction process will be difficult depending on your cats no matter if it is a male or female that you get. Introduce them slowly and with supervision and after some time, you won’t need to worry. > Secondarily, our current cat is fully declawed (he just is, please don’t get > into a debate here). We’ve been told our adoptive kitty should also be > declawed (fairness? safety?). We’re looking at declawed cats, but they’re > all front declawed only. I don’t want to get a cat declawed, so would it be > okay to have a fully-declawed and a front-declawed-only cat?
I have 5 cats, all clawed. They don’t all get along all of the time, and there are the occasional fights. However, one thing I’ve noticed in their fights is that they rarely if ever use their claws. They mostly posture and meow, and if they get physical, its with their paw-NOT claws. So, I wouldn’t even worry about a fully clawed cat-as long as they are properly supervised until you are sure they get along. I also appriciate the fact that you want to adopt an already-delcawed cat from the shelter. Thats wonderful that you will save a cat from a life at the shelter. :) If the only declawed cats they have are front-declawed, it will be fine. If they fight close enough that the one with claws on his back feet will get the 4 paw declawed, then that means they are also using their teeth, which is MUCH more dangerous anyway, so you would have bigger fish to fry. — http://www.stacyinthecity.com http://www.frogduck.com
Response:
> We have an 8-year-old male inside cat and want to adopt another cat. We’ve > asked several people what kind of cat (male or female) would be best to get, > and we’ve had varying answers. Some say they’ve had perfect luck with two > males, and others said no way, get a female–that it will be less stressful > for the current cat (submission/dominance issues?). So, I was wondering what > the consensus was here?
I used to think that it was best to put a male with a female, so I was surprised to learn a couple of years ago that Dr. Karen Overall, who is one of the foremost animal behaviorists in the U.S., recommends pairing cats up by gender – males with males and females with females. But I think what is most important is to select a kitty that gets along well with other cats, and avoid those who have been designated as recommended for single-cat homes. > Secondarily, our current cat is fully declawed (he just is, please don’t get > into a debate here). We’ve been told our adoptive kitty should also be > declawed (fairness? safety?). We’re looking at declawed cats, but they’re > all front declawed only. I don’t want to get a cat declawed, so would it be > okay to have a fully-declawed and a front-declawed-only cat?
If the cats are properly introduced then whether or not the second cat has claws should not make any difference. However, if you do decide to have a declawed cat, *please* find an already-declawed cat at your local shelter rather than adopting a fully clawed cat and then declawing it.
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> We have an 8-year-old male inside cat and want to adopt another cat. We’ve > asked several people what kind of cat (male or female) would be best to get, > and we’ve had varying answers. Some say they’ve had perfect luck with two > males, and others said no way, get a female–that it will be less stressful > for the current cat (submission/dominance issues?). So, I was wondering what > the consensus was here?
Pick a cat whose personality meshes with your cat’s. Gender is irrelevant, but age may be. Perhaps consider an older cat? > Secondarily, our current cat is fully declawed (he just is, please don’t get > into a debate here). We’ve been told our adoptive kitty should also be > declawed (fairness? safety?). We’re looking at declawed cats, but they’re > all front declawed only. I don’t want to get a cat declawed, so would it be > okay to have a fully-declawed and a front-declawed-only cat?
One of my cats was declawed when I got him. The other three, I had from kittenhood and they are all fully and sharply clawed. The one without claws beats up the ones with claws. Therefore, you can safely assume that declaw status will not give one cat an unfair advantage over another. Laura — One man’s mundane and boring existence is another man’s Technicolor. -Tick, Strange Days
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So glad you are welcoming another kitty into the house. I adopted 5 year old PAtches (female) and 2 year old Cud (male) on the advice that a male and female would get along well. Well they didn’t and still don’t. I could tell Cud needed a playmate – especially to distract him from bothering his sister. Also on the advice of someone, I adopted a six month old make kitten for Cud, and they have been best buddies, after the initial hissing. I think getting a young male will work – like a six month old – or no older than a year. I believe they will work out the dominance thing – with your 8 year old probably ending up as dominant. When we adopted them, Patches and Cud were already front declawed. I think clawed and declawed cats can get along. Good luck. Stephanie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> We have an 8-year-old male inside cat and want to adopt another cat. We’ve > asked several people what kind of cat (male or female) would be best to get, > and we’ve had varying answers. Some say they’ve had perfect luck with two > males, and others said no way, get a female–that it will be less stressful > for the current cat (submission/dominance issues?). So, I was wondering what > the consensus was here? > Secondarily, our current cat is fully declawed (he just is, please don’t get > into a debate here). We’ve been told our adoptive kitty should also be > declawed (fairness? safety?). We’re looking at declawed cats, but they’re > all front declawed only. I don’t want to get a cat declawed, so would it be > okay to have a fully-declawed and a front-declawed-only cat?
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adopt – male or female?: >One of my cats was declawed when I got him. The other three, I had >from kittenhood and they are all fully and sharply clawed. The one >without claws beats up the ones with claws.
My declawed-when-I-got-her cat beats up the DOG! Well…. she swats him across the face and snarls at him and he backs away… if she is in a hallway he won’t go past her. She’s been known to walk up to him just to swat him. She also uses the scratching post more often than my two younger cats (fully clawed). Therefore, you can safely >assume that declaw status will not give one cat an unfair advantage >over another. >Laura
I would imagine it helps (at least it seems to in my household) that the ones with claws were kittens when I got them, so at least a part of their mind sees Molly (the declawed one) as The Big Senior Kitty. FWIW, they’re all female. I didn’t plan it that way, it’s just how it worked out. The two younger ones (about 6 months apart in age) are inseparable. Molly puts up with them in varying degrees. The middle one, Anya, is very playful and gets on her nerves a fair bit, which is met with a sound swat. The youngest, Hecate, is more respectful and is occasionally allowed to curl up on a chair with her. Never had a mixed-sex cat household, but I do know that when I adopted Anya, there was a couple who were adopting her brother and they said that they’d have taken her too, but they had all male cats and they (the cats) wouldn’t tolerate a female, they’d tried before and it didn’t work. Atalanta Pendragonne http://www.BmeWorld.com/atalanta/ – Snake’s Slash Pit (Adults Only!) http://members.fortunecity.com/atalantapendragonne - The Amazing Shrinking Atalanta TRUE! Nervous, very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad?
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> >One of my cats was declawed when I got him. The other three, I had >from kittenhood and they are all fully and sharply clawed. The one >without claws beats up the ones with claws. > My declawed-when-I-got-her cat beats up the DOG!
I once had a roommate who had a beagle and whose brother had a black lab that he would bring over all of the time. Alex beat the snot out of both dogs; they were deathly afraid of him. <G> (Alex is the declawed cat) > Well…. she swats him across the face and snarls at him and he backs > away… if she is in a hallway he won’t go past her. She’s been known > to walk up to him just to swat him.
Sounds like Alex. > She also uses the scratching post more often than my two younger cats > (fully clawed).
Alex "claws" any vertical surface he can find, and looks utterly blissed out when he does it. Laura — One man’s mundane and boring existence is another man’s Technicolor. -Tick, Strange Days
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adopt – male or female?: > She also uses the scratching post more often than my two younger cats > (fully clawed). >Alex "claws" any vertical surface he can find, and looks utterly >blissed out when he does it. >Laura
For whatever reason, Molly prefers to "scratch" horizontally. The carpeted stairs, the slanted scratching post, but most especially the log in the holder by the fireplace, which of course we now can’t burn, because it’s MOLLY’s log! Atalanta Pendragonne http://www.BmeWorld.com/atalanta/ – Snake’s Slash Pit (Adults Only!) http://members.fortunecity.com/atalantapendragonne - The Amazing Shrinking Atalanta TRUE! Nervous, very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad?
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Actually I am at that dilemma right now. I have a female cat right now so I am probably going to get a male to balance things out. I’ll probably choose a kitten so it is less threatening and maybe Isis might take better to having a male cat. However, I am sure a female kitten will also do fine as well. Isis has been the only cat so I am going handle this one with kid gloves. — Cat Galaxy- The Internet radio station for cats. Meow meow meow!! http://www.live365.com/stations/231353 Real Player and Winamp: 66.28.48.193:10518 The forum for felines everywhere. Join the Cats forum on Delphi http://forums.delphiforums.com/Felinefrenzy/start
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> We have an 8-year-old male inside cat and want to adopt another cat. We’ve > asked several people what kind of cat (male or female) would be best to get, > and we’ve had varying answers. Some say they’ve had perfect luck with two > males, and others said no way, get a female–that it will be less stressful > for the current cat (submission/dominance issues?). So, I was wondering what > the consensus was here? > Secondarily, our current cat is fully declawed (he just is, please don’t get > into a debate here). We’ve been told our adoptive kitty should also be > declawed (fairness? safety?). We’re looking at declawed cats, but they’re > all front declawed only. I don’t want to get a cat declawed, so would it be > okay to have a fully-declawed and a front-declawed-only cat?
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We have an 8-year-old male inside cat and want to adopt another cat. We’ve asked several people what kind of cat (male or female) would be best to get, and we’ve had varying answers. Some say they’ve had perfect luck with two males, and others said no way, get a female–that it will be less stressful for the current cat (submission/dominance issues?). So, I was wondering what the consensus was here? Secondarily, our current cat is fully declawed (he just is, please don’t get into a debate here). We’ve been told our adoptive kitty should also be declawed (fairness? safety?). We’re looking at declawed cats, but they’re all front declawed only. I don’t want to get a cat declawed, so would it be okay to have a fully-declawed and a front-declawed-only cat?
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> We have an 8-year-old male inside cat and want to adopt another cat. We’ve > asked several people what kind of cat (male or female) would be best to get, > and we’ve had varying answers. Some say they’ve had perfect luck with two > males, and others said no way, get a female–that it will be less stressful > for the current cat (submission/dominance issues?). So, I was wondering what > the consensus was here? > Secondarily, our current cat is fully declawed (he just is, please don’t get > into a debate here). We’ve been told our adoptive kitty should also be > declawed (fairness? safety?). We’re looking at declawed cats, but they’re > all front declawed only. I don’t want to get a cat declawed, so would it be > okay to have a fully-declawed and a front-declawed-only cat?
In my opinion and experience, even clawed and declawed are fine together. Karen
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> We have an 8-year-old male inside cat and want to adopt another cat. We’ve > asked several people what kind of cat (male or female) would be best to get, > and we’ve had varying answers. Some say they’ve had perfect luck with two > males, and others said no way, get a female–that it will be less stressful > for the current cat (submission/dominance issues?). So, I was wondering what > the consensus was here?
I believe its all in the way you introduce them. A slow intro almost always results in cats that get along, regradless of gender. > Secondarily, our current cat is fully declawed (he just is, please don’t get > into a debate here). We’ve been told our adoptive kitty should also be > declawed (fairness? safety?). We’re looking at declawed cats, but they’re > all front declawed only. I don’t want to get a cat declawed, so would it be > okay to have a fully-declawed and a front-declawed-only cat?
I have one declawed kitty in a house of twelve other fully clawed and we’ve NEVER had any problems. Most cats coexist the majority of their time together without serious fighting. But if you are worried, a front declaw should be perfectly fine with a fully declawed. ;) Sethran – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –
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> We have an 8-year-old male inside cat and want to adopt another cat. We’ve > asked several people what kind of cat (male or female) would be best to get, > and we’ve had varying answers. Some say they’ve had perfect luck with two > males, and others said no way, get a female–that it will be less stressful > for the current cat (submission/dominance issues?). So, I was wondering what > the consensus was here?
As long as both of your cats (new and old) are neutered/spayed, gender should not be a big issue. I would choose one female and one male just for variety, but I don’t think it matters if they are both fixed. Just understand the introduction process will be difficult depending on your cats no matter if it is a male or female that you get. Introduce them slowly and with supervision and after some time, you won’t need to worry. > Secondarily, our current cat is fully declawed (he just is, please don’t get > into a debate here). We’ve been told our adoptive kitty should also be > declawed (fairness? safety?). We’re looking at declawed cats, but they’re > all front declawed only. I don’t want to get a cat declawed, so would it be > okay to have a fully-declawed and a front-declawed-only cat?
I have 5 cats, all clawed. They don’t all get along all of the time, and there are the occasional fights. However, one thing I’ve noticed in their fights is that they rarely if ever use their claws. They mostly posture and meow, and if they get physical, its with their paw-NOT claws. So, I wouldn’t even worry about a fully clawed cat-as long as they are properly supervised until you are sure they get along. I also appriciate the fact that you want to adopt an already-delcawed cat from the shelter. Thats wonderful that you will save a cat from a life at the shelter. :) If the only declawed cats they have are front-declawed, it will be fine. If they fight close enough that the one with claws on his back feet will get the 4 paw declawed, then that means they are also using their teeth, which is MUCH more dangerous anyway, so you would have bigger fish to fry. — http://www.stacyinthecity.com http://www.frogduck.com
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