-
Ours hated each other for a while, then they disliked each other for a while longer, now they tolerate each other for the most part and get along quite well now and then.
-
Look at ways of socialising the cats, look at bothwell link for ideas.
-
Basil is very friendly and is castrated, but just to be sure..
There's no way to be sure, and Basil's friendliness with humans and his genital status doesn't make a huge difference to how he'll interact with another cat. Basil will see it as an imposition on his territory, and the new cat will see it as a terrifying experience akin to being dropped into the middle of the Predator jungle with only a jungle knife for survival. They're 90% likely to really fucking hate each other in the beginning, but will probably come to tolerate each other. In some cases they'll never come to like each other much, and will try to ignore each other as much as they can, with occasional fisticuffs. Sometimes they will engage in little wars against each other that you might not even notice are happening. Some cats who were littermates end up hating each other, for absolutely no reason at all, even when they've spent their entire lives together. It's really unusual for introduced cats to become friends (but it does happen!)
Generally speaking I'm against the idea of getting a second cat for the benefit of an existing cat, unless you've got a bloody good reason for doing it. It's a hugely stressful event for a cat, and not at all like it is with a dog, dogs love that shit. Cats are independent and territorial. If you really must do it then you'll probably get better results with a (neutered, obvs) kitten of the opposite sex. But do think about why you're doing it, really - Basil will not be thrilled with his new friend, even if you and your girlfriend are.
-
Opie and Gomez hated each other for while, then we moved house and they bonded over a new territory and now they're best mates.
Gomez hates cars.
-
Basil might be a bit lonely, especially if neither of you are at home during the day. However, that doesn't mean he wants another cat for a friend. He just wants you at home more often.
Ours are a mother-daughter pair and don't always get along. On fact both of them seem more friendly with the neighbours cats than each other. Play in the house often escalates to fighting.
If you do it, definitely a kitten. It'll learn behaviour from Basil a lot quicker than another cat.
You are reading a single comment by @nesbit and its replies.
Click here to read the full conversation.
snottyotter
lynx
bothwell
DenGlanzig
The_Seldom_Killer
@nesbit
So we're thinking of getting a little buddy for Basil, our 2 year Bengal cross (the twin of @c0gsucker 's Opie, by the looks of things). GF is pretty keen on a Tonkinese, my only worry is how Basil will take to it. What are people's experiences around bringing 2nd cats into homes? Basil is very friendly and is castrated, but just to be sure..