Conference misery::feline_v1

    I'll just go over the addition of females to my household.
    
    Lightning came into our lives seven beautiful years ago.  She was
    the first.
    
    Four years later, I brought two beautiful abandoned females kittens
    into the household.  Star stayed with us for one year and then went
    to my daughter's new home  when my oldest daughter left home.  Lisa
    was and is Star's *person*.  Keeta  found a loving home with my
    friend and neighbor.
    
    One year later, we added DejaVu to the household.  Lightning took
    over Deja's training and became a mother to her.  To this day, I
    cannot scold Deja without Lightning *coming to the rescue*.
    
    Two years later, Thunder came into our lives.  Deja is now doing
    what Lightning did - *mothering*.  Lightning even lets Thunder
    sleep on top of her.
    
    As you can see,  I haven't had any problems introducing new females
    into an all-female household.  I don't know where you heard these
    *horror stories* but I do know my girls haven't heard them.
    
    Good Luck,
    
    Sandi (Lightning, DejaVu & Thunder's mom)&(Star & Keeta's Grandmom)
    
    

    Sandi,
    
    Well, that's the first "good" story I've heard.  We feel badly each
    morning as we leave for work; that look in Sunshine's eyes saying
    "you're leaving me alone again?" and we feel even worse when busy
    week-ends come around.  We're hoping that a new kitten will provide
    lots of entertainment for her.
    
    Thanks for the insight.
    

    re .0
    
    We just added a female to our one female kitten house for the same
    reasons you state.  We got her to keep our resident cat company.
    The first two weeks were pretty shaky, but they get along great
    now.  Lots of romping and playing and snuggling.  The older the
    kitten gets the better they seem to be getting along.  I really
    think it will depend on the cat's personality and how the people
    introduce the new cat into the family, not on the sex of the cat.
    
    As far as we are concerned, adding another kitty was the best thing
    we ever did for Mandy.  They are great company for each other.
    
    Suzanne

    Diane, I always thought that my first cat "Taffy" didn't need anyone
    but my husband and I.  We got her when she was about 5-6 weeks old.
    (she came from Buffalo N.Y.) Then friends of ours found an abandoned
    kitten and their cat would not take to it, so they asked us.  We
    took "Autumn" in and it was the best thing for Taffy.  Then two
    years later while I was booking the dogs into the kennel for vacation
    I saw another female kitten and had to bring her home. Except for
    the beginning they all got along fine.  The only trouble I'm having
    now is with the last cat that adopted us.  She was about 4yrs old
    and It has been tough on her with the others since they weren't
    lonely anymore.  I am now suppose to get another kitten this weekend
    and I will be worried if my other cats don't like her but being
    a kitten it shouldn't be so bad.  I will have all females so don't
    worry about females not getting along.
    
    Cindy

Suzanne,
    
    How long did you have your original cat before adding the kitten?
    I used to live in an apartment and a neighbor down the hall from
    me adopted a stray cat, which she used to let loose in the hallway.
    She used to smell my cat, so once I let her in to see the reaction,
    and all Sunshine did was Hssss!
    
    Also, when I moved back from California and had to temporarily move
    in with my parents where the dog I group up with was living, she
    absolutely hated the dog and would actually try to scratch her while
    she was sleeping or just minding her own business.
    
    I just have this feeling that she's very possessive of us; other
    than that, she's a very warm and affectionate cat.
    
    Thanks for your input.
    
    diane
     

    Cindy,
    
    It looks like another vote for the addition!!
    
    Thanks,
    
    diane
    

    We had Mandy for a over a year and a half.  Mandy was extremely
    possessive of both Dave and I.  She was overly affectionate, a lap
    meant sitting on even if you were on the toilet, she waited in between
    the shower curtain while either of us took a shower, she sat on
    my husbands shoulders while we ate dinner - I think you get the
    point that when we were there she constantly wanted affection and
    attention.  She also got very jealous anytime other people came
    over.  
    
    Since we got Koko, another extremely affectionate cat (good thing
    we like luvs from kitties) Mandy has calmed down.  She doesn't need
    as much attention or affection because she gets a lot from Koko.
    And she doesn't act jealous anymore when we have guests over.
    
    I really thought we would have a problem with Mandy - I love her
    to pieces but she is slightly neurotic, in a funny sort of way
     - but everything is fine!  They are best pals!  If Mandy can get
    along with another kitty I am convinced any cat can!         
    
    Best of luck - If you need a new addition there are lots in these
    notes to choose from!
    
    Suzanne
    

    Suzanne,
    
    We picked out the most adorable double-pawed tiger kitty last Thursday,
    and we'll be picking her up this Friday.  We gave Sunshine a lot
    of extra attention this week-end since we know she's going to have
    to share us now so we spoiled her these last two days.  All in 
    all, I know it might take time to adjust, but we are hoping that
    the end result is that they will be best of pals.  Actually, we
    both get home from work so tired every nite, and when we walk thru
    the door, Sunshine is there waiting for a night full of fun and
    entertainment and if we're just too pooped for it, we end up feeling
    very guilty.  So we're hoping that our new little Sheba will help
    us out here.  
    
    I'll keep you posted with the results next week! (what we really
    did this week-end was take a good look at our beautiful new living
    room furniture and cane-back dining room chairs and keeping our
    fingers crossed that it will look the same in two months!)
    
    diane
    

    Best of luck Diane!  Funny - we were in the same boat.  We bought
    new furniture in May and got Koko in June.  A few nicks here and
    there - but I keep telling myself the furniture looks more "Lived
    In" now!
    
    I am sure all will work out - lots of love to Sheba!
    
    Suzanne

    How 'bout an update, how are they getting along?
    
    Also, be relentless in your training of the new kitten and you won't
    have to worry about your new furniture.  Train her to the scratching
    post from day one and things should work out okay.
    
    Jo