Should 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 may also help cut back loneliness and stress while you share an affectionate second of fusses and cuddles.
So, with all these advantages, certainly one feline member of the family simply isn’t sufficient? However what should you requested your cat whether or not they wished a brand new companion? What do you assume they’d say?
Do Cats Do Higher In Pairs?
Is getting a second cat a good suggestion? You would possibly naturally assume that your cat would take pleasure in having a feline buddy round for firm. However really, cats are naturally fairly solitary creatures. They need their alone time and may discover the presence of different cats a bit worrying.
Additionally Learn: How To Assist Cats Get Alongside?
Similar to some individuals favor their very own firm and to please themselves, cats are normally happier being the one cat within the family. In fact, 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 common rule, cats do higher on their very own than as a part of a multi-cat family.
How you can Inform if Your Cat Needs One other Cat
Not all cats get alongside, however some cats find yourself being the very best of buddies.
It’s not all the time an awesome concept 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 take into account the next factors to determine whether or not it’s more likely 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 Good friend
It’s greatest to attend and see how they behave earlier than deciding when the time is correct to convey a brand new furry member of the family residence.
In case your cat was a part of a bonded pair, however one has handed away, you would possibly need to take into account rehoming a brand new cat to maintain them firm. It’s necessary to appreciate, although, that your cat will want a interval of adjustment after dropping their buddy, so the extra stress of a brand new cat round the home could be an excessive amount of.
Due to this fact, it’s greatest to attend and see how they behave earlier than deciding when the time is correct to convey a brand new furry member of the family residence.
Additionally Learn: How To Introduce Cats To A New Residence
2. They’re Younger
Thankfully, you should utilize quite a lot of strategies to encourage your cat to sleep in accordance with a schedule that advantages each you and them.
Cats are creatures of behavior, so older cats are typically fairly caught of their methods! Due to this fact, if you will tackle a brand new cat, it could be greatest to do it whereas your present cat is younger and extra adaptable. Which means the brand new addition is much less more likely to trigger your cat an excessive amount of stress, they usually might grow to be shut over time.
3. They Have Feline Pals In The Neighborhood
Between speedy development and rambunctiousness, kittens have very excessive power calls for.
In case your cat is pleasant with different cats, they could be extra more likely to settle for a brand new cat within the household. So, in case your cat often sits or sunbathes close to one other cat within the backyard and appears relaxed of their presence, this might 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 essentially 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 type, it’s extra probably they’ll be open to the concept of a brand new furry housemate. Nevertheless, even essentially 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 stored indoors, they could respect some firm
In case your cat is left on their very own so much, particularly in the event that they’re stored indoors, they could respect some firm. Don’t anticipate them to thanks instantly, although. They’ll most likely take a while to come back round to the concept!
6. You Have Lots Of Indoor And Out of doors Area
Too many cats in a small space might result in bullying habits and stress, so it’s necessary 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 would possibly assume you’ll be able to 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 necessary 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 take into account whether or not you may have the house and the means to tackle one other feline buddy.
In case your cat is a part of a bonded pair, both with certainly one of their siblings or one other cat, you shouldn’t separate them. Should you’ve rehomed a cat with out their greatest buddy, you would possibly discover that they pine for them and develop indicators of stress like peeing and pooping outdoors the litter field or pulling their fur out. If that is so, it’s best to take into account whether or not you may have the house and the means to tackle one other feline buddy.
If it’s not possible to have two cats, it could be kinder to return your cat and take into account 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 will develop a style for being in a gaggle if that’s what they’re used to
If you have already got a couple of cat and also you’re rehoming a cat that has lived with different cats earlier than, the introduction is extra more likely to go easily. Though cats are naturally solitary and impartial, they will develop a style for being in a gaggle if that’s what they’re used to.
9. They’ve Bought No Medical Issues
It’s best to be sure to are financially ready for the burden of a brand new cat
Keep in mind that most cats will initially discover the presence of a brand new cat worrying, irrespective of how laborious you strive. So, in case your cat is unwell, has a long-term well being situation, or has continual ache, you would possibly need to take into account whether or not the stress of a brand new cat is of their greatest curiosity.
Equally, it’s best to be sure to are financially ready for the burden of a brand new cat, particularly in case your present cat has grow to be a little bit of an everyday on the vet and also you’re feeling stretched.
10. They’re Vaccinated And Neutered!
Should you’re adopting a brand new cat, it’s best to guarantee each cats are vaccinated to guard them from critical illnesses.
Bringing residence a brand new cat is a stunning, thrilling time. If the scenario is dealt with accurately, your cats can stay in concord. Nevertheless, the very last thing you need is to danger your present cat’s well being and well-being.
Additionally Learn: How A lot Does It Value Spay or Neuter A Cat?
Due to this fact, should you’re adopting a brand new cat, it’s best to guarantee each cats are vaccinated to guard them from critical illnesses. Equally, should 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, take into account your present cat’s persona and preferences.
Should you’ve determined to get a second cat, it’s best to take into account the next factors that will help you select the proper purry pal.
Age
Though there isn’t any hard-fast rule for what age of cat it’s best to select in your second cat, there are a number of issues. Firstly, in case your present cat is younger, they might respect the playful nature of a kitten or one other younger cat companion.
However, an older cat who simply desires some peace and quiet won’t respect the mayhem {that a} kitten or boisterous younger cat might convey! Your older cat would possibly really feel extra comfy with one other older cat, though they might nonetheless not just like the disruption to their routine.
Gender
It’s an age-old query, must you select a second cat that’s the identical gender as your present cat, or must you select the other? Sadly, there are not 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. It will guarantee that you would be able to present them with the care they want, and also you gained’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.
Once you convey residence a brand new cat, there are some things you are able to do to strive to verify it goes as easily as doable.
Preparation
Guarantee you may have sufficient litter trays, feeding bowls, and consuming stations to maintain your cats content material. Cats don’t wish to compete, in order a rule of thumb, it’s best to have one litter field per cat plus one further. Separate meals bowls for every of them and lots of water bowls or fountains across the residence can even assist forestall any bullying habits and assist your cats really feel extra relaxed.
Earlier than bringing your furry new addition residence, it’s a good suggestion to pay money for some cat calming spray or diffusers, like Feliway or Pet Treatment. These merchandise will cut back your cat’s stress ranges and assist each cats keep calm in the course of 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 may well 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 price talking to your veterinarian or a certified behaviorist for some recommendation.
Often Requested Questions
Will my cat be blissful if I get one other cat?
Though you would possibly fear that your cat will get lonely generally, they don’t normally crave the corporate of different cats. That being mentioned, bonded pairs of cats do exist, and also you would possibly discover that the brand new cat varieties the proper feline friendship along with your cat.
Are 2 cats higher than 1?
Cats are solitary creatures and sometimes discover being a part of a gaggle worrying. Should you’re contemplating including one other cat to your family, it’s best to be sure to put together totally and introduce them regularly.
How have you learnt when your cats are getting alongside?
You may inform when cats are getting alongside in the event that they calm down close to one another, groom one another, play collectively, or purr whereas in one another’s firm. Play preventing, the place there is no hissing or growling, can also be frequent amongst feline buddies.
