Kitten Dilemma

Ok I have a dilemma.

We are currently a rather happy 4 cat household. Well that is us humans are happy and now the older 3 cats have settled down with the arrival of our kitten Riley.

However…Riley appears to be miserable when we are away!!! He spends a lot of time at home alone while we are work and he seems to get more miserable by the moment as he realises that we are going to work. He is happy as anything in the evenings when we are around and when the big cats come in he has someone to play with.

He is horribly spoilt with plenty of cool toys so there is not much more we can give him there. He has the run of the house also.

We’re tossing up if it would be totally nuts to get a 5th cat as a companion for Riley or if we just stick it out until he is old enough to go out on his own?

Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions?

How long does he have to be inside for? If it's still a while I'd be tempted to get another kitten. After all the adult cats will probably not be as willing to play as another kitten would be. But would the adult cats handle another one?

Bobbie wrote: How long does he have to be inside for? If it's still a while I'd be tempted to get another kitten. After all the adult cats will probably not be as willing to play as another kitten would be. But would the adult cats handle another one?

We figure he'll be inside for at least another 4 weeks or longer. If we get a girl then intros should be easy...they accepted Riley after a week so that should be ok.

And we can't leave an adult in with him as even though Ellie likes him a lot she will NOT tolerate being locked in for 5+ weeks.

*sigh*

You'd be surprised how not nuts 4 is! The 3 adults are all outdoors...it only gets manic in winter when they joustle for heater space.

Ahhh we made this mistake, the problem was that the kittens became attached to eachother and didn't want a bar of me when I got home from work. I went froma loving but sad kitten and 2 older cats to 2 older cats and 2 kittens who only wanted me when it came time for food. Personally I would wait... well that's just my experience anyway. Plus it would all get very hectic come immunisation time?? and other one to fix up, extra food but of course you know all that hehe

Young kittens often feel more secure when kept in a confined area like the bathroom or bedroom while they are alone.

Cats should not be left unattended outside before 6 months old. They don't have the fear instinct to keep them selves safe.

Get another, why not We have four cats and 2 dogs, animals are cool

Following on from Mimiis post you could also give one of you old worn jumpers to kitty so that he has something that smells like you guys to cuddle up with when you are out.

Yay post photos of the furbabies

melnel wrote: Sheesh, 5 cats and 2 rabbits.... where do you all sleep?

*cough*9 rabbits*cough*