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best way to do it. So they are great communicators, sensitive to discipline, and quick to summon help.

If First Cat is a Beta, we have more latitude. Kitten or adult, the new cat will shape the Cat Aura of the household. If we get them a Gamma, things will tone down after the kitten grows up, but Gammas are often too low key to be as engaging as the Beta wishes. If you want First Cat to have a buddy, getting another Beta will allow the most harmonious mesh of existing attitudes. Betas love to show the new kitten the ropes and will tattle on misbehavior. Betas will also accept a grown Beta with proper introductions. Two Betas will happily supervise everything in the house, and then tell you all about it.

If you get an Alpha for your Beta, get a kitten. This allows some seniority benefit to the Beta, whose eventual destiny is to become an astonished or admiring follower of the Alpha's lead. The grown Beta can act as a brake on the Alpha's more outrageous ventures, enjoying their natural role as a voice of reason. This does not interfere with their cat relationship, since Betas tend to find Alphas fascinating, the way we humans regard celebrities. "Gosh, I wouldn't do that," the Betas are thinking. "But it is fun to watch."

Does your cat:

-revel in doing things for themselves
-displays a "paws on" approach to objects
-insists on playing with your stuff until they get reasonable facsimiles they can call their own

then your cat is an Alpha. I think of Alphas as the mad scientists of the cat world. Manipulation of their environment is their goal. They often seem to be plotting World Domination. Alphas are a joy, but require their humans to keep them fruitfully occupied.

If First Cat is an Alpha, either a kitten or an adult cat can work, but only Betas and Alphas need apply. Gamma cats of any age will find an Alpha much too much. Alphas will regard a Gamma's retiring nature an open invitation to manipulation, much to the Gamma's dismay.

Alphas tend to welcome any new cat as a fun addition to their laboratory. If the new cat is also an Alpha, of any age, they will enjoy matching wits, conducting experiments, and sharing mutual interests. Alpha kittens will fall right into line, and Alpha adults will be seduced by the opportunity to show First Cat how it's supposed to be done, seducing First Cat into putting aside territorial issues because Second Cat is so fascinating.

A new Alpha of any age can stand up to First Alpha's intense engagement, and give it back. Getting your Alpha

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