we are not sure how cat-friendly Axel is (he will chase after strays but the one time he met an indoor cat, he was petrified), but i think with some patience and slow introductions, we could make it work.
I know you're smart and you know this, but please be sure that you are prepared to either a) return the cats as Axel was there first or b) have a plan to keep them separated permanently if need be. I would highly, highly recommend a foster-to-adopt situation if an organization offers that. My friend just got a dog and her cats absolutely hate him, which was a surprise, and foster-to-adopt has allowed her to be part of the process of finding him a home where he'll be happy.
- do i adopt one cat or two cats? would it be easier on them if they were a bonded pair? (ie: would a kitty be happier if they had a fellow kitty friend or would axel suffice for them haha)
Ideally, two. While Axel can be a buddy, most cats want a cat friend. It is possible to find a cat who wants to be an only cat, though.
- what are some good resources to get educated on cat care and cat requirements?
I have no recommendations but can answer basics for you if you have any questions! Important thing is you need n+1 litter boxes, where n=number of cats you have, so if you have two cats you need three litter boxes and they need to be in different rooms, otherwise they can still get territorial. This isn't steadfast (I have two cats and two boxes), but that's the gold standard. Cats like to have escapes and be up high; cat trees are a must, and cat highways are better if you have space/can put screws in your walls.
The other big thing is cats are marketed as "independent" and "easier to care for" pets, but honestly, they're as much work as a dog. Mine get antsy and destructive if we don't play with them enough, and it's not like we can just talk them for a walk or go run around a park to burn off some energy.
- what pet insurance do you like? (Axel's isnt the best, but since he's been on it since 2020 and now has documented MCT, other insurances wont cover treatments if he needs chemo/other tumors pop up)
It's expensive, but Trupanion. I have never had to fight them to cover something. Deductible is per issue - ie, we will never pay a deductible for Olive's seizures again -, coverage is 90%, wellness and exam fees aren't covered. Claims have been approved in as little as 24 hours and no later than 72 hours so we can afford to front the money and pay off the credit card before the bill even comes due.
- is owning a male cat as scary as it is in my head? (i have seen too many PU's and blocked males come through that i am just convinced that it's an inevitable thing that happens, so not an "if" but a "when")
I don't think so. I'm on my second male cat and so far so good *knocks on every single piece of wood within reach*. Green Bean vocalizes in the litter box sometimes which was absolutely terrifying at first, but after a full work up, it seems behavioral and more related to his poop problems than anything. I originally said I never wanted to have a male cat or a fat cat, and now I have both lol.
