Tell me what you think, please, about this cat...

[Haole Girl]

http://www.petango.com/Adopt/Cat-Maine-Coon-7270326

And, if you think he would be a good addition to our home. We already have two cats. They tolerate each other, but both fight to be the "alpha" cat.

Would it be a good idea or a bad idea to introduce a third cat to live with fairly wild 14 and 15 year old kitties?

My inner voice says "probably not a good idea," but I feel sorry for this big Maine Coon. I can tell by the pic he is probably a character...and he deserves a good home. And not everybody appreciates wild cats.

Any advice?

[Dogtown]

1. If you've got enough room

so each can carve out a little turf it will probably be fine.

I've had a minimum of 6 cats for the last 15 years, several of them actual ferals (annoying when people call 'strays' "feral").

[Haole Girl]

3. We have a pretty big house

Half of it stays blocked off most of the time. We'd probably have to open up two rooms. Thanks for the encouragement. Oh, and I don't call them "feral" or "ferals." It seems more appropriate, with my cats, to just call them "wild"! :-)

[Dogtown]

16. "Wild" works

I call mine 'the swampies'.

When I first read your post I assumed they were 'undetermined'. I meant to agree with your use of wild, but I expressed myself poorly.

Whatever the term, you're doing good and useful work. That new kitty is very lucky.

:hug:

[DeepBlueC]

2. he's handsome

I love Maine Coons. I'm not the one to talk because I have five myself. Every time I add one there can be some adjustment, but the Maine Coon was the easiest. He is from the street but friendly and even though he is the biggest cat in the house he never challenged any of my other cats. He just sat down and waited it all out. He was also an 18 month old intact male when he came to live here so I was particularly surprised by his near total lack of male aggression for the other boys. However he has taken some exception to the neighbor's cat who comes over here in an ongoing attempt to move in. But still it's all show.

So you never know. Good for you fir thinking of opening your heart and home to this boy. I hope you do,

[Haole Girl]

4. Thanks

They said in the description "Furbie" (I would definitely give him a better name) is a 'lap cat' but I don't believe it!

[SoxFan]

5. Maine Coons are very adaptable

One of mine is part Maine Coon. These characters have a very easy-going temperament, and get along well with other cats, dogs, people, you name it. They do tend to be very chatty and a bit clingy at times.

[Haole Girl]

8. Chatty? Oh no!

I already have one very chatty cat. Pumpkin (pictured below). I wonder if that would work out...

[DeepBlueC]

28. mine isn't chatty at all

[cwydro]

6. I have three cats

and over the years others have come to live with us. There is sometimes initial hissing and spatting, but I ignore it and they all get along fine.

The latest addition belonged to a friend who died a year ago. The poor thing was traumatized as it was and my youngest cat tormented him, but they are fine now. I did have to speak to the youngest about her behavior a few times.

All of them came to live with me at different times and the original one (now 15) has adjusted. She basically has all the others on ignore.

We have a stray that lives in the shed and they don't mind her either.All of them ignore the dogs, lol.

[Haole Girl]

9. That's funny...

has them "on ignore." lol Thanks, cwydro.

[cwydro]

44. She absolutely does have them on ignore.

She is getting old, so I pamper her and the youngest has caught on to the clandestine feedings of Fancy Feast; the youngest is now her constant companion and my old girl just acts as if she is not there at all.

[MilesColtrane]

7. Maine Coons are very laid back.

He won't have a problem with your other two.

Maybe tossing in a new one will stop them from fighting between themselves.

[Haole Girl]

10. Hey...

never thought about that! Thanks. :-)

[snooper2]

11. what are you waiting for

go get your kitty :)

[Haole Girl]

12. :)

I should clear it through my husband. I haven't "broken the news" to him yet. ;-)

[Sanity Claws]

13. He's a dead ringer for my Sebastian

My Sebastian is a Maine Coon mix, just like that boy. He is very mellow and has great social skills. I know that sounds strange but I used to foster kitties for the local animal shelter. Once I was fostering a momma cat who took a dislike to Oliver, a young red tabby whom I had adopted a few months earlier. The momma was locked into a stare down with Oliver and Oliver was returning the stare. Sebastian walked right between them to break it up. Incredible. Have you ever heard a cat who broke up fights?
Sebastian somehow managed to get along with all the cats we fostered. He is just mellow.

If the kitty you are looking at is anything like Sebastian, you will be surprised by how well he fits in.

[Haole Girl]

14. No, I have never heard of a cat who broke up fights!

That's great! :-)

[Sanity Claws]

15. I nicknamed him Mr. Ambassador

Maine Coons tend to be mellow and good mousers.
Another thing is that Sebastian is kind of aloof and not a lap cat. I love him dearly but if you want a lap cat, I don't think a Maine Coon is a good choice.

[Haole Girl]

18. Naw... I don't care if a cat is a lap cat

I'm just happy when they are asleep on the sofa across the room. I must confess, though, I like them to greet me at the door when I come home from work. :blush: Both of my older cats do that now. I'd hope "Furbie" (given a better name, of course) would someday learn to do that too.

[DeepBlueC]

30. you definitely have to improve on that name

...what are you thinking...? ;)

[Haole Girl]

32. Not sure yet

when I adopt a cat, I like to get to know them before naming them. Any suggestions?

[DeepBlueC]

36. I'm planning to use Rufus some day

Actually I was just trying to get you to visualize him as your own, shameless manipulation. I should :blush:

[Haole Girl]

37. Rufus sounds like a good name, actually!

I can visualize him as my own too.

[astral]

58. Lapcat is my Maine Coon's middle name

he is big and not somebody you can carry in one arm and try to go pour yourself another cup of coffee with the other.

[TK421]

17. Looks pretty furry to me

let him be the referee between the two you have already... :D

[Haole Girl]

19. You know...

that truly is the best argument I've heard in this thread (from a couple of you now). And one I will use when discussing it with my significant other! :hi:

[TK421]

20. Good luck with him!

:)

[Haole Girl]

22. Thanks

I assume you mean my husband. ;-) He can be very, very stubborn. I never have won the campaign to get a dog. sigh.

[TK421]

24. Actually, I meant the cat

I thought your mind was made up

[Haole Girl]

27. I don't know...

I sometimes make decisions when I'm sick that I regret later.

And I have the worst sore throat today. :-(

[DS1]

21. I'd get one if I didn't already have enough cat to handle, and I had a bigger place

[Haole Girl]

23. How many cats do you have?

[DS1]

25. Just one.

:)

[Meshuga]

26. I had the same fear back when I considered adding a third cat

But 3 is the right number of felines to live in anyone's home. :-)

That's what someone told me when I had my doubts and I don't regret the decision because they all learned to co-exist. At first there is that initial stress but they learn to deal with each other eventually.

[Haole Girl]

29. I did live with 3 felines in an apartment once...

they weren't mine. There was a constant power struggle. After I moved out of town, my ex-roommate told me one of the tree cats went crazy and started peeing on everything. She had to give that cat away. Guess that's what worries me.

[DeepBlueC]

31. you've got a big house

plenty of territory

[Haole Girl]

33. Yeah

You're right. I'm probably worrying too much about this.

[emad]

34. Always room for another Maine Coon! He looks adorable and I'd

have him any day.

My own Maine Coon Ratty looks a bit like Furbie here except he's longhaired and slightly naughtier looking.

Best of luck with the possible rehoming!

[Haole Girl]

38. Thanks!

How does a cat look naughtier? lol

[emad]

40. YOU know, that knowing glint in the eye, that slightly suspicious

expression that says 'Ha, got away with waking you up at 5am for a cuddle/tin of sardines/etc' and no repercussions...

[Haole Girl]

41. Yeah, I know the kind of cat you are talking about :)

"Furbie" looks like his pride is a little hurt. He was probably upset he trusted that woman to just feed him outdoors & let him have his freedom... then he ended up there. Just my guess. Of course, I am not a cat mind-reader (as much as I'd like to pretend I am).

[driver8]

35. He is gorgeous -- I'd bring him home in a second!

Please let us know what you decide...

[Haole Girl]

39. ** update ***

Just called Operation Kindness. They say "Furbie" was adopted out (after his testing for feline leukemia) and the family who had him for a few days brought him back because he was "not compatible." Poor guy. So, this means we'd have to take him straight to the vet's and have him tested before introducing him to our two cats. Now I'll have to wait until I can get a Saturday appointment (which won't be this week :-(). If he's still there by then, I'll try.

[DeepBlueC]

45. I'll keep my fingers crossed...

It should help me to keep from chewing my nails off while I wait to see if Furbie waits for you. I hope he does. I must say I wasn't impressed with the people who gave him such a short test drive...in the end he's probably lucky not to be living with them.

You say he was already tested for feline leukemia; what are you going to test him for? FIV is the only thing I can think of that your cats won't already be vaccinated for if they have the regular schedule of immunizations.

I hope he ends up with you, Haole Girl. The suspense is hard to take, isn't it?

[zanne]

42. He looks like a great big sweetheart.

I'd adopt him in a second.

[Arugula Latte]

43. Handsome boy!

I would take him in a second! I love Maine Coon kitties. :loveya:

I wonder if you could "try him out" with your kitties for a week or two. I'm sure this isn't the first time the shelter has faced this issue.

Good luck! :hi:

[Haole Girl]

46. ** Update #2 ***

I told my husband, showed him the website, and this thread. Had him convinced.... right up until the time "Bear" threw up (I kid you not & it was not a furball), then proceeded to sit on a bag of catnip in front of the fireplace & just stare at me. My husband is convinced our older cat "Bear" knows & is not pleased. Oh boy...

to be continued....

[mwdem]

47. Let us know how this turns out.

Furbie looks like a sweetheart. My three girls would kill a male cat, or go down trying. They barely get along as it is. They each could be "only" cats in the household. Good luck!

[Haole Girl]

48. Thanks, mwdem

I will. :hi:

[DeepBlueC]

50. He Who Must Not Be Ignored

Bear is that beautiful black cat, isn't he? Well one thing he may have picked up on was that you were ignoring Him. That is a Wrong Thing.

[DeepBlueC]

51. I definitely want to know how this works out

[Haole Girl]

52. We're not going to get another cat

Decided against it because Bear is in the last part of his life and it would stress him out. Decided to just let the last of his life be peaceful.

[DeepBlueC]

54. no, you don't want to stress the Bear ...

I hope that Rufus finds a good home.

[Haole Girl]

56. I hope so too

My husband is the logical one in the family, and though I hate to admit it he is right this time.

[applegrove]

49. Maine Coons are supposed to be really relaxed. Maybe his mood will

be catchy to your other cats. You can always try.

[Haole Girl]

53. See post #52 above

[ScreamingMeemie]

55. What a cutie!

Licorice (my dad's cat) is a Maine Coon. She's pretty adaptable, although she did NOT get along with Kittimus Prime. He's adorable!

[Haole Girl]

57. It's not that far of a drive up here...

:hi: