American Shorthair Cat

　　Even if there are no conflicts over food and territory in the household, cats may have disagreements due to age and gender issues. Therefore, when choosing a second cat, owners should pay attention to the age and gender pairing of the two cats to reduce the possibility of conflicts between them.

　　When the Original Resident Cat is a Kitten

　　If the original resident cat is a kitten, you can choose any age or gender of cat because kittens have strong acceptance ability and no territorial awareness. They can quickly become familiar with and accept the new cat.

　　When the Original Resident Cat is an Adult Female Cat

　　1. If the original resident cat is an adult female cat, it is recommended to select another adult female cat to accompany her. Female cats have weaker territorial awareness. Although there are individual differences between two cats, as long as the owner treats them fairly, they can coexist peacefully with a low possibility of fighting or causing trouble. 2. If the original resident cat is an adult female cat, you can also choose a male cat. Generally, female cats can quickly accept a male cat. However, if the cats are not neutered, this may lead to continuous reproduction. Hence, families with female cats who want to keep a male cat should neuter their cats. 3. If you want to choose a kitten, first check whether the original female cat has maternal instincts. Generally, female cats that have given birth have stronger maternal instincts and are more likely to accept a kitten. However, if the female cat has never given birth, since kittens tend to be more playful and attract more attention from the owner, this can cause the resident female cat to feel annoyed and jealous. After all, female cats tend to be more sensitive and possessive regarding environmental changes. 4. If the new cat is the offspring of the original female cat, she can accept the new cat. Generally, domestic kittens leave their parents for adoption around three months old. If they are returned and come back to their parents, even when grown up, they maintain the parent-child relationship, making it easier to integrate into the family life.