Does Your Cat Want a Feline Buddy? Why “Extra Cats” Isn’t All the time the Resolution
As a cat behaviourist, I usually meet purchasers who, with one of the best of intentions, suppose their solo ADULT cat wants a buddy.
The assumption is that a further cat will clear up loneliness or behavioral points, giving their present cat a playmate to share the house with. However the actuality is, for a lot of cats, introducing a second cat doesn’t simply fail to resolve points—it usually results in a complete new set of issues. Cats are inherently territorial and impartial animals. Many are a lot happier in a one-cat family, the place they’ll bond deeply with their human and reside with out feline competitors. Having mentioned this in relation to adopting kittens I all the time advocate getting two in order that they’ll play collectively.
Right here’s why “only one grownup cat” is normally one of the best formulation for a contented, stress-free residence for each you and your cat.
1. The Nature of Cats: Solitary by Design
Cats, not like canines, have advanced as solitary hunters. Their ancestors spent most of their lives alone, solely coming collectively for mating or, sometimes, in household teams when assets allowed. That is why, on the whole, cats don’t naturally search out different cats for companionship. Even should you discover that your cat is pleasant and calm with you, that doesn’t imply they might really feel the identical means about one other cat. For a lot of cats, one other feline of their residence isn’t a buddy; it’s a competitor. Even when your cat appears pleasant to some particular person neighourhood cats, the possibilities are that inside the house, reactions could be very completely different. Folks usually ask about feral cat colonies. In these conditions it’s within the cat’s finest curiosity to membership collectively as a survival mechanism. Often these colonies have human feeders. When avenue cats come into a house surroundings many, if positioned with different cats already within the residence, will turn into aggressive and protecting over the brand new assets and the consolation they’ve now acquired.
2. The “Intruder” Drawback: New Cats as a Supply of Stress
Once you introduce a second cat, the primary cat will usually see this newcomer as an intruder in their territory. Cats mark and outline their territory by means of scent and routine, so a brand new cat can set off a way of territorial risk and competitors for assets. This territorial stress is expressed in numerous methods:
- Aggression: Hissing, growling, or bodily fights.
- Anxiousness: Elevated hiding, fearfulness, or diminished consuming.
- Behavioral Adjustments: Litter field avoidance or marking, in addition to modifications in sleep and grooming habits.
- Melancholy: Avoiding areas within the residence, over grooming, weight reduction, discount in play and consuming
These reactions are widespread as a result of the cat’s pure intuition is to defend its established house. Whereas some cats may ultimately settle for a brand new feline, many won’t ever actually heat as much as having one other cat round, even after months of gradual introductions. And the purpose I typically make to purchasers is that toleration doesn’t equal finest life the place each cats can thrive. It simply means the cats haven’t any selection.
3. The “One-and-Solely” Bond: Specializing in Your Cat’s Relationship with You
Cats are able to forming extremely deep, rewarding bonds with people. For a solo cat, their human is commonly their main (and most well-liked) social connection. The time, love, and focus they’ll obtain in a one-cat family fosters safety and contentment. So relatively than specializing in “holding your cat firm” by including one other cat, shift your focus to enhancing the bond you share together with your present cat. The rewards are wonderful.
You’ll be able to deepen this bond by:
- High quality Time: Frequently participating in actions that your cat loves, resembling interactive play, grooming, or just sitting collectively and having fun with down time.
- Enrichment Actions: Cats thrive on psychological stimulation. Rotate toys, introduce puzzle feeders, and add climbing buildings to create a satisfying surroundings.
- Routine and Stability: Cats love predictability. Conserving a gentle routine with feeding, play, and sleep will assist your cat really feel safe and content material.
When your cat has these wants met, their relationship with you can be sturdy and fulfilling, usually eliminating the perceived want for a “buddy.” A few of these ideas, about including a feline buddy, come from emotions of guilt particularly if the guardian works lengthy hours or has a busy social life-style.
4. Recognising Real Loneliness vs. Regular Feline Behaviour
Many behaviours that may seem like “loneliness”—like following you round, vocalizing, or being overly energetic—are sometimes only a signal that your cat wants extra psychological and bodily stimulation. They don’t essentially want a buddy; they may simply want extra engagement.
Ask your self these inquiries to assess in case your cat’s habits is because of real loneliness or simply the necessity for extra enrichment:
- Does your cat appear distressed or bored? Or are they merely following you out of curiosity?
- Do they vocalize lots, particularly at evening, as if they’re not getting sufficient playtime through the day?
- Have you ever observed a rise in damaging habits, or do they appear hyperactive?
More often than not, these indicators are resolved by rising the standard and frequency of interplay they get from their human companions—not by including one other cat.
5. When Including One other Cat May Work
Whereas most cats thrive as solo pets, there are uncommon instances the place two cats may profit from one another’s firm. That is extra widespread if:
- The cats are siblings or have grown up collectively.
- Each cats are notably social and tolerant.
- They’re kittens that want and can thrive on companionship from the beginning of their new residence.
- Cautious and gradual introductions are remodeled a interval of weeks to months.
Even in these instances, nevertheless, success isn’t assured. It requires endurance, house, and cautious planning to assist each cats really feel safe. It requires a mess of assets and in addition a deep understanding of every cat’s persona and background.
6. When Including One other Cat Is Def Not A Good Concept
- When the cat is aged and needs a quiet peaceable retirement. A kitten shouldn’t be thought-about.
- Your cat has by no means combined with different cats or shared house.
- Your cat has a timid persona or a previous traumatic begin in life.
- Your cat is aggressive to different cats outdoors.
- Your property will not be sufficiently big to accomodate multiple cat.
- You would not have the time or endurance for gradual introductions which might lengthen to months
7. Having fun with the Cat You Have: Constructing on a One-Cat Relationship
Fairly than seeing your solo cat as “lonely,” take into account them as a cat who has the luxurious of being your solely feline focus. A single-cat family can imply much less stress, fewer behavioural points, and an surroundings the place your cat feels actually comfy. Your solo cat doesn’t want competitors in your consideration or their favourite spots. As a substitute, they’ll reside in an area the place their wants are met, and so they’re free to bond deeply with you.
Whereas it’s pure to need one of the best in your cat, introducing a second cat normally isn’t the answer for many single-cat households. As a substitute, make investments time in constructing a powerful, fulfilling bond together with your one cat. By enriching their surroundings, understanding their distinctive persona, and embracing them because the solo famous person of your own home, you’re giving your cat one of the best life doable.
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Concerning the writer
Anita Kelsey holds a first-class honours diploma in Feline Behaviour and Psychology (work primarily based BA Hons) and runs a vet referral service devoted strictly to the prognosis and remedy of behaviour issues in cats. She can also be a certified cat groomer and specialises in grooming difficult or phobic cats. Anita, a powerful advocate of a vegan life-style, relies in East Sussex however consults everywhere in the UK in addition to worldwide requests. She lives together with her husband, a music producer, and 1 Norwegian Forest cat, Kiki.
Click on to learn real evaluations on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4grgX2M7kUB2EevJ8
Her first e-book ‘Claws. Confessions Of A Professional Cat Groomer‘ was revealed by John Blake in 2017 together with her second e-book, Let’s Talk About Cats self revealed through Amazon worldwide in 2020. The Little Book Of Extraordinary Cats is Anita’s third e-book out now 2024.
For all enquiries please electronic mail info@catbehaviourist.com
