In case you’re a cat particular person, you already know all the good issues about sharing your life with a cat. In any case, is there something higher than cozying as much as watch tv on a night with a cat curled, contented in your lap? Cats can assist scale back loneliness and stress whenever you share an affectionate second of fusses and cuddles.
So, with all these advantages, absolutely one feline member of the family simply isn’t sufficient? However what when you requested your cat whether or not they wished a brand new companion? What do you assume they might say?
Do Cats Do Higher In Pairs?
Is getting a second cat a good suggestion? You may naturally assume that your cat would get pleasure from having a feline good friend round for firm. However truly, cats are naturally fairly solitary creatures. They need their alone time and might discover the presence of different cats a bit nerve-racking.
Additionally Learn: How To Assist Cats Get Alongside?
Identical to some individuals choose their very own firm and to please themselves, cats are often happier being the one cat within the family. After all, bonded pairs of cats do exist, both as littermates who’ve all the time been collectively or different cats who’ve constructed a relationship over time.
These pairs of cats who’re used to one another’s firm ought to ideally not be separated. Nevertheless, as a normal rule, cats do higher on their very own than as a part of a multi-cat family.
How you can Inform if Your Cat Desires One other Cat

Not all cats get alongside, however some cats find yourself being one of the best of associates.
It’s not all the time an excellent thought to tackle one other cat when you have already got one. Nevertheless, if you’re contemplating including to your cat brood, it’s best to contemplate the next factors to determine whether or not it’s prone to work. Keep in mind, although, that cats will take time to heat up to one another, so don’t be alarmed if, initially, your cat appears unimpressed with the brand new arrival!
1. They’re Used To Having A Feline Buddy

It’s finest to attend and see how they behave earlier than deciding when the time is true to deliver a brand new furry member of the family dwelling.
In case your cat was a part of a bonded pair, however one has handed away, you may need to contemplate rehoming a brand new cat to maintain them firm. It’s vital to understand, although, that your cat will want a interval of adjustment after shedding their good friend, so the extra stress of a brand new cat round the home could be an excessive amount of.
Subsequently, it’s finest to attend and see how they behave earlier than deciding when the time is true to deliver a brand new furry member of the family dwelling.
Additionally Learn: How To Introduce Cats To A New Residence
2. They’re Younger

Fortuitously, you should utilize quite a lot of strategies to encourage your cat to sleep based on a schedule that advantages each you and them.
Cats are creatures of behavior, so older cats are typically fairly caught of their methods! Subsequently, if you will tackle a brand new cat, it could be finest to do it whereas your current cat is younger and extra adaptable. Which means the brand new addition is much less prone to trigger your cat an excessive amount of stress, they usually might change into shut over time.
3. They Have Feline Mates In The Neighborhood

Between speedy development and rambunctiousness, kittens have very excessive vitality calls for.
In case your cat is pleasant with different cats, they could be extra prone to settle for a brand new cat within the household. So, in case your cat commonly sits or sunbathes close to one other cat within the backyard and appears relaxed of their presence, this could possibly be a optimistic signal. Nevertheless, simply because your cat enjoys the corporate of different cats doesn’t imply they’ll need to share their territory with them!
4. They Are Laid-Again

Even probably the most laid-back cat won’t welcome a brand new brother or sister, so be ready to be affected person.
Each cat is totally different. Some are shy; some are outgoing. Some are on edge and simply harassed, whereas others are extra laid-back. In case your cat is the laid-back kind, it’s extra doubtless they’ll be open to the concept of a brand new furry housemate. Nevertheless, even probably the most laid-back cat won’t welcome a brand new brother or sister, so be ready to be affected person.
5. They’re Left Alone A Lot

In the event that they’re saved indoors, they could recognize some firm
In case your cat is left on their very own loads, particularly in the event that they’re saved indoors, they could recognize some firm. Don’t anticipate them to thanks instantly, although. They’ll in all probability take a while to return round to the concept!
6. You Have Lots Of Indoor And Outside Area

Too many cats in a small space might result in bullying habits and stress, so it’s vital to examine you’ve acquired the house earlier than committing to a different cat.
Cats are fairly small, aren’t they? Since they don’t take up a lot house, you may assume you may match a number of hundred extra in your house! Nevertheless, cats want loads of room to permit them to stay stress-free when residing with different cats. Guaranteeing they’ve acquired house to get away for some alone time when wanted will assist cement their friendship with their new fur-brother or sister.
Additionally Learn: How Many Cats Are Too Many?
Too many cats in a small space might result in bullying habits and stress, so it’s vital to examine you’ve acquired the house earlier than committing to a different cat.
7. They’re Already Bonded With A Buddy

It’s best to contemplate whether or not you may have the house and the means to tackle one other feline good friend.
In case your cat is a part of a bonded pair, both with considered one of their siblings or one other cat, you shouldn’t separate them. In case you’ve rehomed a cat with out their finest buddy, you may discover that they pine for them and develop indicators of stress like peeing and pooping exterior the litter field or pulling their fur out. If that is so, it’s best to contemplate whether or not you may have the house and the means to tackle one other feline good friend.
If it’s not possible to have two cats, it could be kinder to return your cat and contemplate adopting a single cat who isn’t carefully bonded to a different cat.
8. They’re Used To Being In A Multi-Cat Family

Cats are naturally solitary and impartial, they’ll develop a style for being in a bunch if that’s what they’re used to
If you have already got multiple cat and also you’re rehoming a cat that has lived with different cats earlier than, the introduction is extra prone to go easily. Though cats are naturally solitary and impartial, they’ll develop a style for being in a bunch if that’s what they’re used to.
9. They’ve Acquired No Medical Issues

It’s best to be sure you are financially ready for the burden of a brand new cat
Do not forget that most cats will initially discover the presence of a brand new cat nerve-racking, regardless of how exhausting you attempt. So, in case your cat is unwell, has a long-term well being situation, or has power ache, you may need to contemplate whether or not the stress of a brand new cat is of their finest curiosity.
Equally, it’s best to be sure you are financially ready for the burden of a brand new cat, particularly in case your present cat has change into a little bit of an everyday on the vet and also you’re feeling stretched.
10. They’re Vaccinated And Neutered!

In case you’re adopting a brand new cat, it’s best to guarantee each cats are vaccinated to guard them from critical illnesses.
Bringing dwelling a brand new cat is a beautiful, thrilling time. If the scenario is dealt with appropriately, your cats can reside in concord. Nevertheless, the very last thing you need is to threat your present cat’s well being and well-being.
Additionally Learn: How A lot Does It Value Spay or Neuter A Cat?
Subsequently, when you’re adopting a brand new cat, it’s best to guarantee each cats are vaccinated to guard them from critical illnesses. Equally, when you don’t need to hear the pitter-patter of a number of tiny toes, it’s best to guarantee they’re each spayed or neutered too!
Selecting A Second Cat

When including a brand new cat to the family, contemplate your current cat’s persona and preferences.
In case you’ve determined to get a second cat, it’s best to contemplate the next factors that can assist you select the proper purry pal.
Age
Though there is no such thing as a hard-fast rule for what age of cat it’s best to select on your second cat, there are a number of issues. Firstly, in case your current cat is younger, they might recognize the playful nature of a kitten or one other younger cat companion.
Then again, an older cat who simply needs some peace and quiet won’t recognize the mayhem {that a} kitten or boisterous younger cat might deliver! Your older cat may really feel extra snug with one other older cat, though they might nonetheless not just like the disruption to their routine.
Gender
It’s an age-old query, do you have to select a second cat that’s the identical gender as your current cat, or do you have to select the alternative? Sadly, there aren’t any ensures that your cat will get on with one other cat, no matter gender. Nevertheless, it does appear to assist if they’re neutered.
Historical past
It’s important to think about the historical past of any cat you’re contemplating welcoming into your loved ones. You ought to be conscious of any well being issues or important accidents and know their vaccination and neuter standing. This may guarantee that you could present them with the care they want, and also you received’t get any nasty surprises.
Ideas For Bringing A Second Cat Into The Residence

Even with cautious introductions, it’s regular for cats to take a while to heat up to one another.
If you deliver dwelling a brand new cat, there are some things you are able to do to attempt to verify it goes as easily as potential.
Preparation
Guarantee you may have sufficient litter trays, feeding bowls, and consuming stations to maintain your cats content material. Cats don’t prefer to compete, in order a rule of thumb, it’s best to have one litter field per cat plus one additional. Separate meals bowls for every of them and lots of water bowls or fountains across the dwelling can even assist forestall any bullying habits and assist your cats really feel extra relaxed.
Earlier than bringing your furry new addition dwelling, it’s a good suggestion to pay money for some cat calming spray or diffusers, like Feliway or Pet Treatment. These merchandise will scale back your cat’s stress ranges and assist each cats keep calm through the transition interval.
What To Do If It’s Not Going To Plan
It’s fairly regular for cats to hiss, growl, and even swipe at one another throughout their first conferences, particularly in the event that they aren’t launched regularly. It will possibly usually take three or 4 weeks, and even longer, for the dynamic between them to enhance. Nevertheless, if issues aren’t going properly after a month or two, it’s value chatting with your veterinarian or a certified behaviorist for some recommendation.
Regularly Requested Questions
Will my cat be pleased if I get one other cat?
Though you may fear that your cat will get lonely generally, they don’t often crave the corporate of different cats. That being stated, bonded pairs of cats do exist, and also you may discover that the brand new cat kinds the proper feline friendship together with your cat.
Are 2 cats higher than 1?
Cats are solitary creatures and sometimes discover being a part of a bunch nerve-racking. In case you’re contemplating including one other cat to your family, it’s best to be sure you put together completely and introduce them regularly.
How are you aware when your cats are getting alongside?
You’ll be able to inform when cats are getting alongside in the event that they loosen up close to one another, groom one another, play collectively, or purr whereas in one another’s firm. Play combating, the place there is no hissing or growling, can also be widespread amongst feline associates.