I've had a cat for more than 8 years, he's probably around 9. He's always been an only cat with me. For the last year I've been feeding a stray in my apartment complex who was obviously someone's cat once; he always wants to come inside. Now that it's cold and raining (well, what we call cold and rainy in northern California) he lives on my patio;he sleeps in a little box I set up for him and comes out when I come out.
My cat is interested in him (I have no idea what gender the outside kitty is) and they sniff noses through the patio screen door. Both their tails are always up. Neither of them can stand the manager's cat, they hiss and snap at him.
I'm thinking that when I'm home for the week after Christmas I'll try to introduce them and see if they'd get along. I've de-flead the outside kitty. His ear is notched so I think he's fixed (or she). I've never tried to pick him up. If they get along, I'd take him to the vet. I've offered coworkers and neighbors money to take him, but they all have cats already.
This picture made me think that maybe my cat would like to snuggle with another cat. Are cats naturally loners if they don't grow up with other cats? I don't want to stress my cat by introducing someone if he'd rather be a lone cat. But I don't want to deprive him if he'd like another cat. Would it be better to let my cat out (he used to go out, until a year or so ago) or have the outside kitty come in?
Any thoughts gratefully accepted. I do travel occasionally and worry about my cat not snuggling like these cats. I also would like outside kitty to have a home, but I worry about delivering him to my local shelter, which is not a no-kill place.
Thanks.
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