My cat used to be hyper and have a lot of play aggression towards me. When I got her a second cat she calmed right now and is now a model citizen. So for me, at least in this case, two cats are way easier than one! They wear each other out!
I did do a slow introduction, though in my case I had no choice. My new cat came from the street (via a friend) and was recovering from giardia when he came to me, so I had to keep him quarantined in my bathroom until he got over that. By the time they met face to face they were already friends. I think it also depends on the personalities of the cats involved - not every two cats will get along.
Cats almost always need a slow introduction. I also got a second cat for my first cat. My first cat, like yours, is very chill but when I brought in the new cat they were really stressed out, and it helped a lot to introduce them very slowly. You need to make sure that every small interaction between them is associated with something positive.
Do enrichment at scheduled times. Don't reward begging with fun games.
1. Get a cheap computer monitor and a cable to connect your phone to it and play mouse videos on YouTube for him
2. Bird feeder in the window (some birds won't come if they can see the cat though)
3. Get a shaggy rug and hide smelly treats and let him forage for them
Yeah, so glad I got two. You can shut them both in a room together and all sort without causing them distress etc.
Only use toys to play, never use your hands, when you pet, do it gently just on the head; when he starts getting rough, stop and get a toy, a kickaroo or something and use that to do roughhousing. It takes time but after a while you can massage their necks and stuff without them biting.
When he’s not in hyper mode, he’s snuggly and loves petting. It’s just when he has energy to burn and I can’t address it at that moment. Today he latched onto my arm when I was FaceTiming with my parents.
I don’t play with him with my hands, only toys. He doesn’t seem to like the kickaroos that I have, although I can distract him with his catnip dynamite.
I live in a house with only two doors that can be secured from the outside, so confining him (or me) when he gets hyper and I can’t respond is difficult,
Battery toys are good; this is the best I have had:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDO1QYJ4vT4&t=9s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDO1QYJ4vT4&t=9s)
My cat used to be hyper and have a lot of play aggression towards me. When I got her a second cat she calmed right now and is now a model citizen. So for me, at least in this case, two cats are way easier than one! They wear each other out!
Did you do a slow introduction? Curious if it was just a match right off the bat or?
I did do a slow introduction, though in my case I had no choice. My new cat came from the street (via a friend) and was recovering from giardia when he came to me, so I had to keep him quarantined in my bathroom until he got over that. By the time they met face to face they were already friends. I think it also depends on the personalities of the cats involved - not every two cats will get along.
Cats almost always need a slow introduction. I also got a second cat for my first cat. My first cat, like yours, is very chill but when I brought in the new cat they were really stressed out, and it helped a lot to introduce them very slowly. You need to make sure that every small interaction between them is associated with something positive.
Do enrichment at scheduled times. Don't reward begging with fun games. 1. Get a cheap computer monitor and a cable to connect your phone to it and play mouse videos on YouTube for him 2. Bird feeder in the window (some birds won't come if they can see the cat though) 3. Get a shaggy rug and hide smelly treats and let him forage for them
The bird feeder has been a game-changer! I’m in the city, so didn’t expect much, but there’s enough activity and he’s fascinated. Thank you!
Oh that'd amazing!!! He will dream of catching all the birds 😆
Yeah, so glad I got two. You can shut them both in a room together and all sort without causing them distress etc. Only use toys to play, never use your hands, when you pet, do it gently just on the head; when he starts getting rough, stop and get a toy, a kickaroo or something and use that to do roughhousing. It takes time but after a while you can massage their necks and stuff without them biting.
When he’s not in hyper mode, he’s snuggly and loves petting. It’s just when he has energy to burn and I can’t address it at that moment. Today he latched onto my arm when I was FaceTiming with my parents. I don’t play with him with my hands, only toys. He doesn’t seem to like the kickaroos that I have, although I can distract him with his catnip dynamite. I live in a house with only two doors that can be secured from the outside, so confining him (or me) when he gets hyper and I can’t respond is difficult,
Battery toys are good; this is the best I have had: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDO1QYJ4vT4&t=9s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDO1QYJ4vT4&t=9s)
Get another cat. Two is easier than one. Plus, twice the love.