Adding a second cat to your family can be an exciting whirlwind. However, it is important to step back from the excitement for a minute to see the real world issues you may face with a new member of the family. These tips are meant to help in your journey for a second cat, but they can also help when getting your first as well!

1. How will your other cat react?

Your other cat's reaction is very important, probably the most important thing to consider when getting a new cat. Although relationships between cats may start out rocky, it is very possible to bring two cats together harmoniously. The reason cats can be so temperamental is not because they're mean; it's because they're territorial. When a cat feels that it's space is invaded it is likely to become angry or withdrawn. A way to help this is to ensure there are a lot of areas for the cats to claim for themselves, such as a cat house, cat condo, shelving or other options. This way both cats can mark spaces as their own and will be able to coexist a lot happier. More information on these safe spaces on question 9.

2. How much to spay/ neuter?

Spaying and Neutering is not a cheap expense, nor is it optional. I am about as liberal, tree hugger, hippie, let the animals live as we would kind of gal, but I came to terms with the fact that I would have to spay and neuter my kitties. For the females, it is necessary because it stops unwanted pregnancies that may cause financial stress and health issues for her. It will also severely lower her chances of getting urinary and uterine diseases that can affect cats later in life and be quite painful. Finally, it keeps the females from going into heat which can happen very often and be quite bothersome. For the males it will keep them from marking your furniture, which is an almost impossible smell to get out. It will also ensure that they are less aggressive towards other cats and humans and will keep them from running away during mating season when they smell the outside cats or neighbor cats in heat. A reason to spay/neuter both sexes is because we are overrun with feral cats in this country. While I love as many kitties as humanly possible, these cats are in immense danger on the streets. They face extremely cold weather, predators, a**hole humans that kill them, and other dangers. A life on the streets is nowhere for a domestic cat.

Now that I've convinced you why you need to spay and neuter, let's talk about price. It can be very expensive to get your cat spayed or neutered. If you were to just go to a regular vet and get it done it would cost anywhere from $300 - $600. However, there are alternatives. If you live below the poverty line and qualify for government assistance, there may be a state program that will give you a coupon to get your cat the operation for $20 at a credible veterinarian. The program in Delaware is called Fixed and Fabulous and I will leave a link down below, but I'm sure with a little research you could find a similar program in your state. There are also places that offer low cost spays for around $80. However, do your research on these because some places do not give pain medication with the surgery which is barbaric in my opinion.

3. Vaccines, Vaccines Vaccines.

Vaccines can be very expensive as well and are necessary, some are even required by law. There are a lot of clinics that will pop up in shelters or pet stores that offer low cost vaccines and micro-chips. I recommend if you are on a low budget to get the cat vaccinated before you get them spayed/ neutered. If you take them for the operation before they are vaccinated the vet may try to give it to them then and charge you, or they may refuse to do the operation.

4. Should you micro-chip?

Micro-chipping is a personal decision, and there is no real right answer. If you have an outside cat, I would say that micro-chipping is a necessity. This way you can find your cat easily if they ever go missing. I have two inside cats and don't plan on getting either micro-chipped. I take them both outside occasionally and most of the time they are ready to go in before I am. They are not prone to escape, and I don't allow anyone into my house that would steal them. However, if you have inside cats it can still be beneficial to micro-chip if you think your cats are antsy for adventure.

5. What kind of shelter will you adopt from?

There are two kinds of shelters: kill and no kill. I highly recommend never going to a kill shelter. Although you are saving an animal from being killed, you are also supporting a shelter that puts them into that predicament. Either way, you are saving a life and you should never buy from a breeder. My opinion is that if you are so superficial that you need to buy a cat from a breeder instead of giving a home to a homeless cat, maybe you shouldn't be getting a cat in the first place. There are very rare exceptions where the person wanting a cat has a severe allergy and needs to get a non-allergenic cat. In that case, I think you should exhaust all options searching for a non-allergenic cat at a shelter before turning to the last resort of breeders. It is a myth that purebred animals of any kind are better than their mutt counterparts. In fact, there is a higher rate of disability and health issues among purebreds because of the high rate of inbreeding.

I also want to encourage that you get an older cat rather than a kitten. Even a 2-year-old or 3-year-old cat has a harder time getting a home. Kittens will always get adopted. However, there is a false stigma against older cats that they are aggressive or violent. In my year of volunteering at a cat shelter, I only came across one cat that was aggressive and it had been put through a lot in it's life. It ended up getting over it soon after and was adopted into a loving family. Cats are not just aggressive to be aggressive, they have life experiences, fears, and personalities just like us. Most older cats are just as eager for a warm place to sleep and a lap to purr on as the kittens. This is the same for black cats, which are the least likely to be adopted because of false superstitions. So if you get an older black cat, know that you are doing a great thing and likely saving that cats life directly.

I got my first cat Molly from a friend that couldn't have her anymore because she didn't get along with her other cats and she was living in the basement by herself. I have obviously found that to not be true since I now have two cats and have cat sat before, which Molly had no problem with. Some cats just need a little time to get used to other cats.

The last tidbit for this section is about how I got my kitten, Crash Bandicoot. I know I just told you to get an older cat, but Crash was the runt of a stray litter and left by his pack. He lived outside of my house and was starving, about the size of my hand. I originally was going to foster him until he got a forever home, but that didn't end up working out, and now he is a part of the family. If I would have adopted a cat, it would have been an older cat. However, if you acquire a cat from outside you need to make sure to isolate that cat from your other cat until you have completely treated them for outside parasites. I made the mistake of letting them interact before I did this and now they both have fleas. I would recommend even taking the new cat to the vet before introducing it to your old cat.

6. How much should I put away for emergencies?

Things will come up when you have cats. Most of the time it is harmless, but you should always have money on hand to ensure you can take them to the vet. $100 per cat stashed away is the minimum, however, I recommend an extra $100 just to be safe in case they need medication or treatment on top of the vet visit. Cats will need a yearly wellness visit that can cost from $50 - $80, at least the vets around here. It may be lower or higher in other areas.

7. Boy or Girl?

Whether you get a male or female cat will depend on a number of factors. You may want to take into account what sex your current cat is, although once they are spayed/ neutered that doesn't matter as much. Male cats tend to be more affectionate towards humans, but less affectionate towards other cats. That doesn't mean you can't have a male cat with other cats; it's just something to check for. All cats are different depending on their personality. I've found that Molly is very affectionate towards me as well as Crash, however, they aren't very affectionate with each other as of yet. This may change as they get more comfortable with each other. They do not fight, but they also don't cuddle. Overall I would suggest to just adopt the cat that feels right. Whichever cat you have a connection with will probably be fine. Ask the shelter if they have a history of aggression with other cats, animals, or even children to see if it would be a good fit for your home. Remember that once you adopt a cat you are committing to take care of that cat for the rest of it's life, so don't take the decision lightly. Do not get cats as gifts unless you have thoroughly talked it over with the recipient and they know they are ready for the responsibility. If you think you will change your mind in a few years, do not get the cat. Especially if you are adopting a kitten. If you adopt it as a kitten when it is guaranteed adoption and then return it as an adult when it could sit for months, that is not fair to the cat or the shelter.

8. What will I feed them?

This is a tricky subject because most people don't know the right answer. However, it is a known fact that you can ask any vet that cats should be eating wet food over dry. Cats get most of their moisture from their food rather than drinking, which makes dry food a problem. Dry food also sits for months before it is sold to you and taken home. In that time, it is susceptible to all kinds of bacteria. It can also be awful for female cats in terms of urinary problems and can lead to kidney stones or worse. Dry food can also be problematic in terms of free feeding, which can lead to diabetes in your cat. When I was younger, we had a cat with diabetes which we had to feed special food that was incredibly expensive and we had to give him insulin shots twice daily, which were also expensive. I recommend feeding a wet food diet and giving a small amount of dry food daily to help clean their teeth. Also important to remember is that cats are carnivores. While I am a vegan I would never dream of not feeding my cats meat. They absolutely need meat to survive it is not possible for them to live without it. If you are uncomfortable with the thought of feeding your cat meat, do not get one.

In an ideal world, you would get chicken from a local farm where you can see the chickens being raised properly, grind it yourself and add in supplements to feed your cats the best diet. However, that isn't possible for everyone. Look for foods that have the least amount of ingredients, real meat as the number one ingredient, and no or low carbohydrates. Cats do not need carbohydrates because their body can't fully digest them and are lactose intolerant, so do not trust brands that put cow's milk in their food or fill the food with sweet potatoes, corn, and peas. It may sound nutritious, but for a cat it is not. I personally believe that your cats food should be a priority just like your own food. We are only as good as the fuel we use so make sure you are feeding your cats a healthy diet for them.

9. Are they a climber or a hider?

This goes back to the question about how to get them their own spaces. Some cats are "Bush Dwellers," as Jackson Galaxy calls it, and some are "Tree Dwellers." I have one of each. Molly is most comfortable hiding in a cubby hole on the floor or finding her way behind the cable box in our entertainment center. Crash, however, loves to be up high. He is constantly climbing the entertainment center, closet doors, and counters. Make sure you have spaces for the cats to be their most happy that they can call their own. A good way to do this in one swoop is to get a cat tree/house. The one we are getting for the babies this Christmas will have cubby holes and high beds, giving them both areas to call their own. Another great option that your tree dwelling cat will love is the addition of shelving specifically for them so that they can climb around the room above the rest. This will completely change your cat's attitude and will make living with two much more harmonious.

10. What toys do they like?

This is specific to each cat. I'd say 99% of cats love laser pointers, and I would highly recommend investing in one. Not only does it keep their mind stimulated, but it keeps them running around and exercising which can be an issue for inside cats. Another toy that usually can't go wrong is a pole with a string and a toy at the end of the string. Cats love to chase prey; it's just part of their biology, so this can be a fun way to connect. Some cats love the balls and fake mice that you put on the floor that they can bat around. Crash loves those kinds of toys, while Molly can't be bothered. It all depends on the cat so pay attention to their likes and dislikes to find their perfect toys. Another thing to think about is scratching posts, which cats can be very particular about. If you happen to get a kitten, start them early on a scratching post, your furniture and landlord will thank you. When we got Molly, she hadn't been used to a scratching post and unfortunately liked to scratch to get our attention. We no longer have door frames. She is the kind of cat that will only use a vertical scratcher, not one that is flat or on an angle. This is another thing that is specific to the cat, so get a cheap scratcher and arrange it in different ways to see which way the cat will scratch it.

NEVER declaw a cat. Declawing is a procedure that includes cutting what is equivalent to the tips of the fingers off. It is cruel, painful and inhumane. If you are not willing to risk a cat scratching at your furniture or walls a little before it becomes adjusted, do not get a cat!

11. How many litter boxes?

Finally a simple question! You should have one litter box for each cat plus one extra. I have two cats, so we have three litter boxes. This may seem like a lot, but trust me they fill them up in about five days if you forget to scoop.

12. What should I name them!?

This is the single hardest question and has no concrete answer. Most of us want a creative yet simple name that's easy to call. Before we knew Crash was a boy, we called him Astra, one, because I am a space geek and two, because he had a ton of white hairs on his back that looked like stars in the night sky. When we realized he was a boy we decided to change his name not because of gender stereotypes, but because we found out after calling him Astra for a while that it can be hard to pronounce sometimes and a dear friend reminded me of it's closeness to the word "ashtray." We settled on Crash Bandicoot for a few reasons. The first was that Crash was easy to say and sounded playful enough to be a cat's name. The second was because of his personality. He is always jumping around, crashing into stuff and, in general, being a fool. The third was because it had the pull out meaning when you add the Bandicoot making the full name. Crash Bandicoot was my absolute favorite video game as a kid, so I was happy to be able to name him after it. Thus Crash Bandicoot was born, although most days I call him Crashtra because I'm still adjusting to the new name.

Think about these things when choosing a name:

1. What is the cat's personality like?
2. What does the cat look like: colors, identifying marks, size?
3. Do you like puns?
4. How easy is the name to say/pronounce?
5. Will you be embarrassed when you take them to the vet?
6. How does the name relate to you personally?

Getting a cat can be a tremendous joy, but also means a big responsibility. I hope that these tips help you on your journey to adding another fur ball to your family! Remember the most important tip of all is to love them unconditionally and be loved in returned. Click Here to go to Fixed and Fabulous Delaware.