Do cats need another cat friend?

Signs Your Kitty Would Love A Second Cat

For most cat owners, we are the proud owners of multiple cats. And if you’re not and you’ve considered it, how do you know if your cat would enjoy having a second cat in your home? Of course, change is not always a good thing when it comes to your cat’s delicate mindset. But a slow introduction to second cat in your home can go well when done the right way. Wondering if your kitty would love having a cat friend in the home to become best fur friends furever? Here are some key signs that your cat would enjoy another cat in the home.

Kitty Likes To Play

Is your cat playful and seems to have endless energy? Well, having adding another cat to your family can help them to expend it in the purrfect way! This can be especially purrfect if you have a job that keeps you away from the home for extended hours each day. After all, if you don’t work hard you can’t give your cat the nice life he deserves. By adding another cat in with your family, this could help your active kitty to have someone to keep them company in your absence.

Myth Busted: Despite what some people (probably silly dog people!) may say, cats are not solitary animals. Sure, your cat is more independent and may not greet you each day when you return home, but cats can become depressed or anxious when left alone for too long on a routine basis.

And more so, cats are very tuned into their environment because they’re hardwired as predators. Their keen senses are on high alert for the sight, sound or smell of potential prey. So you may interpret as a cat being aloof. But it’s actually your exquisitely designed companion being ready for anything. Just because your cat may not jump to immediate attention when you call her name, doesn’t mean she’s aloof – she’s focused.

Affectionate Kitty Cat

Is your cat loving and sweet with you? Well, purrhaps they could dole out that love to another cat in the home as well! Cats that are gentle and loving are generally more accepting of other cats and do not seem them as a threat (or at least we think they don’t, for the most part!). Spread the love and add another cat so they can give their love to their new feline friend as well. Many shelter cats will have detailed descriptions telling about them, and if you find one that does well with other cats, this could be a purrfect match.

Kitty Misses Their Old Friend

Cats will grieve after the loss of a loved one, whether it’s a human or another cat. Sure, they aren’t going to tell you about it, but trust us, it does happen. If your cat once had another cat in the home that they got along with, chances are that they could be open to the idea of having a cat friend in their home once again. You will definitely need to go slow with the introduction and practice patience. Sometimes breakups, divorces, or people moving out of the home means that cats who were once bonded will be separated. While no cat can replace what they’ve lost in the absence of their best fur friend, it can help to mend a broken heart once some time passes and adding a new cat feels right for your family.

Clinger Cat

We love it when our cats grant us with their affection, but when it borderlines neurotic or obsessive behavior, this could be a sign that your cat would enjoy another cat in the home. Your cat doesn’t have the ability to tell you that they’re bored/restless/feeling insecure. Adding a second cat to your home could help to ease their uneasiness by relieving some of their anxiety. Now, at first it might not seem that way, but with time they could establish a lifelong bond that will bring them the companionship they crave.

Your Cat Suddenly Eats Much More Than Usual

While a medical issue can be signaled by changes to your cat’s eating behavior, boredom can lead to overeating for your cat. Lack of stimulation, both mental and/or physical, can have your cat eating more than they should out of boredom.

“Just like with people, the cat may turn to food because there’s nothing else to do,” says Pam Johnson-Bennett, a certified cat behavior consultant and owner of Cat Behavior Associates in Nashville.

(Obviously a medical issue can be another reason for your cat’s sudden desire to increase their food intake, so an assessment by your veterinarian should be your first course of action should they turn hungry hippo on you.)

Naughty Kitty

Your cat may have lots of energy that has them getting into trouble when their playful nature turns destructive. By adding another cat to your home, it might help them to redirect their energy in a more positive way.

“If there’s nothing to do and no one to play with, the cat will find something,” Johnson-Bennett says. “Because they’re predators, they are born to move and discover.”

Adding a second cat into your life is a serious decision for both you and your existing cat in your home. Do your homework and try finding the most suitable companion for them. This way the transition and pairing will work best for all parties involved. And when you see your cats bonding for the first time, we guarantee your heart will skip a beat!

My two are best fur friends, and I was so lucky to have had their pairing go off so successfully in hardly no time at all. Knowing that they have each other makes me happy, and as you can see, it makes them happy, too!

REMEMBER: ADOPT, DON’T SHOP; FOSTERING SAVES LIVES & SPAY AN D NEUTER!

Related Story: Feral Kitten Shielded His Brother From California Fires; Now They’re Ready To Find A Loving Furever Home…Together! Related Video: How to Introduce 2 Cats

Does your cat need a companion? If your kitty is lonely, it’s your fault

While dogs may be considered “man’s best friend,” did you know that we’re actually more closely related to cats? According to a 2007 study, geneticists found a 90% genetic match between cats and humans, as opposed to an 85% genetic organizational match between dogs and humans. Considering how much we have in common with our feline friends, it might not surprise you to learn that cats are as individual as we are. Some cats fit the stereotype of being icy and remote, but others are affectionate and friendly, even clingy. In some cases, bonding with her human family may not be enough for a kitty. Does your fur baby need a cat companion? Let’s learn the signs of cat loneliness to find out.

Contents

Signs your cat is lonely
Should cats be adopted in pairs?
Unusual best friends

Signs your cat is lonely

Unfortunately for us, our kittens can’t verbally express how they’re feeling. The good news is that they have other ways of telling us what’s wrong. (There’s also an app you can use to gauge your cat’s mood.) Here’s what you should look out for:

Urinating or defecating outside the litter box
Increased aggression, such as biting and scratching
Overgrooming, sometimes so extensively they leave bald patches
Excessive vocalization
Sleeping too much

Should cats be adopted in pairs?

According to the experts at VCA Hospitals, “Cats are family-oriented and usually live with their relatives… For this reason, cats often do well adopted in pairs.” Additionally, those who adopt two kittens from the same litter are also more likely to keep their cats than people who adopt only one kitten. This is likely due to something called “single kitten syndrome,” which often causes kittens adopted alone to become more aggressive with humans as adults.

While we’re more likely to tolerate the occasional nibble from a curious kitten, adult cats are often rehomed when their inappropriate behavior becomes troublesome. Research shows that kittens need the company of other kittens to learn how to socialize and behave properly. When kittens play together, they learn from each other not to bite or scratch too hard. Not only is adopting two kittens better for their mental development, but two kittens are actually easier to take care of than one. Kittens are tiny bundles of energy, requiring lots of our time and care. But your tiny fur baby will need less of your attention if they have a playmate around.

Unusual best friends

While kittens seem happiest when they’re adopted in pairs, that doesn’t always mean your adult cat will get along with a new kitten. In fact, some cat breeds actually seem to prefer the company of dogs. Abyssinian, Birman, and Maine Coon cats tend to bond easily with our canine companions. But man’s best friend isn’t the only potential companion for your cat. Other options include:

Rabbits

As long as you supervise their initial visits, cats and rabbits can develop a surprisingly tight-knit friendship. Make sure you spend plenty of time allowing your fur babies to adjust to each other before turning them loose. You can start off by leaving your rabbit in a large cage, allowing your cat to adjust to the sight and scent of her new friend before allowing them to play together.

Goats

Just like cats, goats are highly social and do best when they have at least one other goat for a playmate. Goats easily befriend sheep, cows, and horses, but they’re also fond of cats. A newborn Nigerian Dwarf goat named Hector nearly broke the Internet with his adorable antics. Hector’s chosen playmates? A barn cat and her litter of orange kittens.

Horses

When you think of #friendshipgoals, you don’t usually think of cats and horses. According to the experts, these two opposites are frequently drawn to each other. Like dogs, horses are herd animals, but horses are typically much more sedate. Some dogs may frighten cats with their boundless enthusiasm, but curious kittens find massive, laid-back horses fascinating. Horses have an innate fear of predators, but they’re quick to warm up to comparatively small, nonthreatening cats.

Your cat is a member of your family, and her health and happiness are important to you. If you notice your feisty feline showing signs of loneliness, you may want to consider adopting another animal to keep her company. (A second cat, a dog, a goat, or even a rat will do.)

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