by James Quetzal

Created on: November 08, 2009

Cat lovers often find themselves limiting their options in terms of how many cats they have in their household due to a lack of knowledge about how to add a new feline to their home. Cats are wonderful creatures to have around, especially for single people who may have an unreliable schedule or time constraints at work.

The advantage of loving and living with a cat is that they are creatures of choice and they can easily adapt to an apartment, condo or full-house plan. And, they are always happy to greet you when you return home. But, for single people who find they may be away from home more than they are actually there, having a cat for a pet can be the perfect answer for companionship.

The problem may arise though when you feel your pet becomes lonely because you're away from home a lot of the time. This is when you may entertain the idea of adding another cat to the mix. Cats are creatures of habit and change can sometimes be difficult for them but they do adjust to their surroundings easier than many other animals.

So, for instance, imagine that you currently have one cat living in your home and you feel your cat may be experiencing loneliness when your away. Carefully weigh your options and if you're open to the idea of a second feline companion, began your search for that perfect friend for your furry friend.

Saving a cat from a local shelter not only gives a home to an animal that truly needs one, but going the adoption route may give you an older cat that is more easily integrated into your household.

Once you've found your new family member, take him to a trusted veterinarian for an examination and any needed shots. You don't want to introduce any unwanted illness or disease to your trusting friend awaiting you at home.

Also, make certain that you've got a supply of reliable food for this new cat or kitten. Ask what the cat's diet consisted of before adoption at the shelter. Carefully mirror this food and later on, you can introduce your food of choice by slowly mixing the newer brand into the original food.

Next comes the introduction of the new pet with the one at home. Patience is the key. Let the two have short five-minute visits at first and separate the two after the visits so each will be safe in their own space. Don't worry, You'll find that your older cat is resistant to this new one and lots of hisses and spitting may dominate the first few visits. But, after time, and with that much-needed patience, you'll slowly change their minds and everyone will be happier!

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