If you work from home then you are lucky because your cat gets to be around you all the time. However, if you are out a lot then your canine might feel lonely and miss you a lot. This loneliness may result in a destructive behavior or even result in an increase or loss of appetite.
There is a simple solution to help your feline friend get a second cat! Yes, you heard it right like you need a friend to share your time animals do too. As overwhelming as it may sound you might just be ready for it. And to make things easier we have curated the content below to help make this decision easier.
So let’s know more about the second cat pros and cons!
Table of Contents
Getting a Second Cat Pros and Cons
Cats are family friendly pets which is why they are most commonly seen and loved as pets. They also love to live with their relatives. You can expect them to sleep, eat and groom peaceful with one another. For this reason cats are often adopted in pairs so that they have someone to play with.
However, if there is an age gap between the two cats then you may notice some hissing and fights. Don’t make judgments yet your cat might be different! Here’s a sum up of all the positives and negatives you can expect from getting a second cat.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Companionship | Initial introductions |
| Entertainment | Personality clashes |
| Socialization | Territorial issues |
| Exercise | Double the expenses |
| Less dependency on you | Health concerns |
| Easier adjustment to new environments | Time and attention |
Advantages of Having two Cats
- Cats are Social Animals
Cats are friendly and social. They love hanging around with their own species. If the two cats get around well you can expect them to establish a close relationship.
- Having a Buddy is Easy Play
Cats are full of energy having a second cat may allow them to have a partner to play fight and run together.
- Prevents Aggression play
Most animals like cats have a strong prey drive. If you play with your cat using a wand toy or if they have another cat around to play. They are likely to be less aggressive.
- Promotes Social Learning
Kittens are observational learners. They learn various things such as bite inhibition while being around other kittens.
- Double The Cuteness, Double The Love!
Cats are super cute if you have two there is a chance the other one might get attached to a family member making them happy too.
Disadvantages of Having Two Cats
- Slow Introduction Process
Introducing a second cat to the resident may be tricky if the cats are not relatives. This may require counseling so it’s better to adopt two kittens together.
- Double The Mess And Double The Work
More pets means more work cleaning up their litter boxes and other mess. If you are working you might hate cleaning one’s mess better yet two.
- Kitten Might Not Get Along With Older Pet
Make sure to adopt the second cat with the similar age group as the resident cat. If you want to adopt a kitten then adopt two kittens so that they can play together. Your older resident cat can then have a peaceful time alone while the kittens play together.
- More Expenses
The food and vet expense is a permanent bane on your budget. If you have two this means double trouble!!!
Signs Your Cat Wants Another Cat
If you see noticeable behavior changes such as a shift in sleeping or eating habits or unusual clinginess then this might be an indication that your cat is feeling lonely. You should first discuss the doctor and be certain about getting a second cat. Here are some signs that might help you and your vet make this decision:
- Clinginess: Your cat is meowing a lot and would always prefer to linger around you.
- Change in Sleeping Habit: If the cat is sleeping longer and is not interacting with you she may be feeling lonely.
- Litter box problems: If your trained cat starts to pee in other areas of the house this may indicate loneliness.
- Obsessive Grooming: Obsessive grooming is a way for cats to soothe themselves while they feel lonely.
- Odd Eating Habits: If your cat is eating more than usual then he may be craving for a playmate.
What Kind of Cat To Get As a Second Cat? Suggested Pairs
Cats with similar personalities might get in a conflict easier hence try to pair cats that have different breeds and personality. Some cats are bred such as Siamese or persian cats are bred to be relaxed companions and they adapt easily with the resident companion. Hence it’s better to choose such cats to pair with your cat.
Make sure to adopt the second cat with the similar age group as the resident cat. If you want to adopt a kitten then adopt two kittens so that they can play together. Your older resident cat can then have a peaceful time alone while the kittens play together. If you talk about gender then male-male or male -female gender pairing is recommended. All-female combinations are not recommended if you don’t want to destroy the peace of your home.
| Current Cat Breed | Recommended Second Cat Breed |
|---|---|
| Siamese | Ragdoll, Burmese, Tonkinese |
| Persian | Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan |
| Maine Coon | Norwegian Forest Cat, Ragdoll |
| Abyssinian | Somali, Ocicat |
| Bengal | Egyptian Mau, Savannah |
| Scottish Fold | British Shorthair, American Shorthair |
| Russian Blue | Chartreux, Nebelung |
| Sphynx | Devon Rex, Cornish Rex |
| American Shorthair | Domestic Shorthair, Scottish Fold |
| Ragdoll | Birman, Maine Coon |
Should I Get a Second Cat Quiz
These quizzes are designed for you to lighten up and have fun, the results should in no way taken over the advice of a practicing practitioner. Try to relax and forget about all the troubles your canine friend is giving you and have fun with this simple quiz.
When Is It Too Late To Get a Second Cat
If your cat has never made any social contact with other cats then he might have a hard time accepting a partner now. Canines that have mostly been alone till two years of age are less likely to accept a second cat. However, if they have a chance to play with stray or neighbor cats then you can try your luck. Younger cats accept a partner easily than older cats.
Also, if your cats show aggressive behavior or growls, hissess and marks territory when they have entered your house then you might abstain from getting another cat. If your cat is older than three by this time he has established a particular behavior disrupting it by introducing another partner may have consequences. Your friend may get aggressive towards you and the new partner, starts biting or even attacks you.
Signs You Shouldn’t Get Another Cat
If your cat is clingy this doesn’t always indicate that he feels lonely and you feel you should get a playmate for him. Instead invite a friend over who has a cat and notice his behavior around their pet. If he displays the following signs than you shouldn’t get another cat:
- He puffs or hisses on other cats
- Turns sideways with legs straight and hair standing on end to make themselves look larger in a fight.
- The cat resorts to biting, swatting or wrestling when it sees another cat.
- Feline friend doesn’t want to interact with other cats.
Some Personal Experiences From Our Readers
I have grown up in a cat household and I always used to have one. When I moved out I ended up adopting three. My parents warned me that it would be a lot of hard work and they would be less affectionate towards you but none of that proved to be true. In Fact they take care of each other but I do have to clean up three liter boxes. Cherry on top is that when I started dating my best friend one of the cats got really clingy with my boy. So he also fell in love with my cats and I am super happy about it.
Aldaron Walsch
My cat is three years old and we love the precious thing. We travel often so once we left her in the house alone. Trust me the whole neighborhood heard her cry and this went on the whole night. We thought to get him a partner so that she doesn’t feel alone when we are gone. It was such a dreadful idea as we didn’t introduce the new playmate properly. As a result they didn’t get along well and Puffy got so aggressive that she started chasing me and the new cat. Always look for signs for whether your cat is ready or get ready to make bad memories with her.
Sally Walter