We have been asked if we would like to take a kitten, it was found in a garden, it's not micro chipped and after advertising no one has claimed it.

It's going to a rescue place if we don't take it and I really would love to have it.

We already have a cat though, he is three and I am worried if he will get on with another one. He is used to getting all the fuss, I don't want him upset.

Any cat experts who can give me some advice. Would you have it or not.

I think boys adapt better than girls to a kitten. Manage the introductions gently, though - there's some good advice here.

http://www.fabcats.org/behaviour/int...pressions.html

Go for it! I introduced a female kitten to my 3 year old female last summer. I had the same concerns but they get on really well now. They'll sleep beside each other on the bed, play chase around the house and eat side by side from one of those 2 section bowls.

Worked for me. Nothing quite like another cat for getting your ears licked.

I'd say if your resident cat is sociable then likely it'll be fine. Does he like to be with you, or does he prefer his own company ? If he prefers to be alone, then IMHO it's much less likely to work.

You should expect some hissing etc until they get used to each other, but introduce them gradually as Normandie says.

I almost had the same exact situation but couldn't afford a 3rd pet. But whilst I kept the Kitten until my rescue had a place for her my cat was not the most pleased but from his behaviour I could tell that a Bit of time would bring him around. He hissed when she went to close to him but he was not that bothered that he ate his food with her in the same room.

Best thing is if you are that keen is make slow slow introductions and see how both cats take to each other. The Kitten will be more adaptable due to it's age but with greater knowledge of your cat's own personality should help give an idea on if they could live together.

cats do a lot of their socialising by smell.

When one of our cats went missing, and we subsequently had to rescue her from a rescue centre, we were told to rub both cats with separate towels, and then transfer the towel to the other cat and give it a rub , so that they would both get used to "their" own smell, despite the fact that the cats were sisters.

We did it for 3 days.

worked a treat.

Go ahead in getting another cat, but you could give this a try to support the socialising.

It's good advice to get each cat used to the others smell before first introductions take place.

You might still get some hissing etc but as long as introductions are done slowly and each cat has its own space in the home when things become too much, it should work out OK in the long run. Treating the cats with food or toys on their first day together can work quite well too, getting them to associate each other with pleasant experiences but again, don't force the cats together for too long if there's clearly tension, let them know they can escape for a bit if they want to.

Seperate food bowls are a good idea too, to prevent unwanted tension.

You are welcome to say I'm mad, but in my experience two kittens are easier to introduce than one, so long as they get along with each other.

Kittens have a huge capacity for play and a lot of energy to burn off, and older cats can get fed up with the constant demands to Play Right Now. Another kitten, OTOH, is an ideal playmate and the older cat is something warm and comfortable when play is done and energy expended.