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The Second Cat is the trickiest known cat maneuver. That is why many savvy cat shelters are urging, or even requiring, that prospective adopters take home two at the outset. That's because cats are highly territorial, and will regard any new cat as a potential rival. If two cats arrive at the same place at the same time, it is no longer a rivalry, but a negotiation. This is the idea behind proper introductions. Make a separate space for the new cat, and let them slowly blend into the household at their own pace. Let the existing cat's curiosity overcome their territorial imperative, and we have the beginnings of happy cat interaction.

If we already have an existing cat, this ease is not there. So the first step is figuring out what Assertiveness Level the present cat might be. There are three possibilities.

Does your cat:

-act geographically oriented, caring deeply about the placement of objects
-spends little time in manipulating objects that aren't theirs
-has more caution than curiosity in their makeup

then your cat is a Gamma. Gammas are easy keepers, laid back, and affectionate, but require people to pay attention to their needs, since they are so laid back they have trouble letting people know they need something. Gammas don't think they control their environment at all; they take life as it comes, so long as they are not overly challenged by circumstances.

If First Cat is a Gamma, then you might not want to get a kitten. Grown Gammas find any kitten to be a trial. Those natural high energy levels and tendency to get into trouble will disrupt the Gamma's happy routines. Their invitations to play can get insistent, and a harassed Gamma will usually hide, which the kitten thinks is a game. However, a Gamma kitten is the only type of kitten who will mesh with a Gamma adult. They might need to be distracted from annoying the First Cat, but will eventually come around, and will not push things the way a Beta or Alpha kitten is sure to do.

Getting a second Gamma adult is the best choice. Another grown Gamma will respect the First Cat's routines and person, and make an effort to fit in without making a nuisance of themselves. That's what Gammas do.

Does your cat:

-spend time communicating with you, either verbally or by leading you to objects of interest
-enjoys the role of "Supervisor," monitoring and reporting
-is good about learning to leave your objects alone

then your cat is a Beta. Betas want to manipulate their environment to suit them, but see their humans as the

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