Adding a third cat?

[malkin]

Cat census is 2 neutered males in the neighborhood of a year old.

We're considering adding another one. Not sure if we should lean toward male or female.

TE advice to get the 2nd kitty was perfect, so what do you think now?

[indysteel]

Hard to say. It's cat specific IMO. Do you plan to adopt a kitten or an adult? If you work with a local rescue, maybe they can help you find an adult that already seems good with others. I'd go with a female if it were me, but again, it depends on the cat.

FWIW, we've tried to adapt a third cat to our two-cat household this summer. It's not working, but I think it's the personality of the cats at issue.

[jessmarimba]

I'd also say totally cat dependent. My first one hates other cats with a passion - until she's alone in the house all day. So she isn't too fond of the third one I got. Fortunately, the third one loves all other living things (besides the plumber) with more passion than the first one hates them, so he wins her over occasionally. And when he doesn't, they just stay in separate rooms. The only squabbles we have at this point are over who gets my lap and the prime sleeping spot on my chest. Had the third one been any less cuddly we might have had problems.

(My second cat is utterly indifferent, as she doesn't think she's a cat).

(Just wanted to add, I think it worked here because the hierarchy was not disrupted - the male I got is totally submissive if it gets him attention/grooming. So I'd keep that in mind when looking - adding another alpha can cause problems)

[Aromig]

I've never had problems adding cats as long as they were young (and we altered them as soon as possible). I think being young (not baby kittens but often under a year) allowed the older cats to "train" the new ones. Not all of our cats have really loved each other, but they just go in different rooms and do their own thing.

[indysteel]

I've never had problems adding cats as long as they were young (and we altered them as soon as possible). I think being young (not baby kittens but often under a year) allowed the older cats to "train" the new ones. Not all of our cats have really loved each other, but they just go in different rooms and do their own thing.

I wish we were as lucky. The last time my two females were together earlier this week, there was blood. The third cat has to be kept in seclusion at this point. Finding a different home for her is proving challenging. I don't know what we're going to do.

[Aromig]

I wish we were as lucky. The last time my two females were together earlier this week, there was blood. The third cat has to be kept in seclusion at this point. Finding a different home for her is proving challenging. I don't know what we're going to do.

I have been really lucky. The most we ever had were six (we just couldn't turn away rescues) with two dogs at the same time. I can't imagine how scary it is if they're hurting each other. I hope either they find a way to get along, or you can find her a home quickly :-(

[thekarens]

I also have to agree that it's cat specific. We got a brother and sister from the pound at 9 weeks old. They hated each other and continued to hate each other until she died when she was 2. We got another female cat from the pound and again, they hate each other, but they've learned to stay out of one another's way.

[Koronin]

Add me to the it depends on the cat. We have 3 female who do not like each other or any other cat. Had a stray male cat show up at our old house and tried to incorporate him, but that so did not work. He now lives with my parents and their cat. Their cat is another female, but has no issues accepting other cats. No real issues though with our 3 since they typically give each other plenty of space.

[nuliajuk]

I've always felt that two was the perfect number - enough to keep each other company while we're out, not so many that they get on each other's nerves. With just two of us, there would be some competition for attention and someone would get left out.

[kajero]

I can't figure out our cats. We've had the female since she was a kitten. The male cat we got when he was four years old. Both cats are fixed.

Sometimes they get into big fights. They bat each other with their paws or maybe bite each other. The female growls, hisses, and yowls. She rolls over on her side and looks like, "you can come and get me at any time." Yet, she can get away at any time. The male cat doesn't utter a peep.

I also give them treats in their dishes. Sometimes the female cat walks away and leaves something for her brother.

Then sometimes we see the female cat grooming the male cat or both of them cuddling together. Either they have short memories or their fighting is just playing -- which we have decided it really is.

[Melalvai]

We made 2 attempts at a 3rd cat. The 2nd attempt sort of worked, but it was a relief when one of the older ones died. The "kitten" and the other old cat, although they didn't get along when there were 3 cats, they get along better now there are only 2. (The one who died got along with everyone.)

3 cats was a lot of work, especially when one was in poor health. 2 cats is so much easier. From now on we are a 2 cat family. Ok, 2 cats and 1 snake.

[Biciclista]

I'd get a female. And hope that the 3rd cat doesn't end a peaceful coexistence there at your house.
When we brought Nutmeg home, Aggie went ballistic and is still troublesome at times. I'm glad I have her though. good luck.

[TrekDianna]

ooo I currently have a total of 14 cats. Not all are in the house obviously. There are three who have a cat door and come in and out. There are 9 who hang out at the barn (but have an enclosure they are put into at night due to the number of coyotes who roam the lower property) and there is one that is not ours, but comes to the back deck for food every night. The three who come into the house ignore each other for the most part. They all sleep in different rooms. The only time they "work" together is when they gang up on the dog. The barn cats who all get locked into the enclosure at night (it's actually half the barn including two stories and a totally wire meshed and roofed area of about the same size as the barn...some of those cats sleep in a big pile so you can't where one ends and one begins if it's a few of the black ones piled up together. They all get along.