As a cat owner, you may have heard people say that cats are solitary creatures and that they prefer to be alone. However, this is a myth that has been debunked by experts in feline behavior. In fact, cats are social animals and benefit greatly from being around other cats. Here’s why two is better than one when it comes to feline companionship.
Kittens: The Benefits of Adopting Two
When it comes to adopting kittens, many people make the mistake of adopting just one. However, this can be detrimental to the kitten’s development. Kittens that are adopted alone do not have the opportunity to learn important social skills that are necessary for healthy feline behavior.
Kittens are not born with territorial instincts; they learn these behaviors through play and interaction with other cats. When kittens play with each other, they learn important lessons about boundaries, social cues, and how to communicate with other cats. They also learn how to groom each other and share resources, which are essential skills for living with other cats in the future.
Adopting two kittens also makes life easier for the owner. Kittens have a lot of energy and need a lot of attention, which can be overwhelming for a single owner. When there are two kittens in the home, they can entertain each other and provide companionship when the owner is not available.
Adult Cats: How to Introduce Them
While it is true that adult cats are more territorial than kittens, it is still possible to introduce two adult cats to each other. The key to a successful introduction is to take it slow and follow a careful plan.
First, the cats should be kept in separate rooms with their own food, water, litter boxes, and toys. This allows them to get used to each other’s scent without feeling threatened. Over time, the cats can be allowed to smell each other through a closed door or a baby gate.
Once the cats are comfortable with each other’s scent, they can be introduced in a supervised setting. It is important to keep the initial meetings short and to reward the cats with treats and praise for good behavior.
It is also important to match cats based on their personalities and energy levels. Cats that have similar energy levels and personalities are more likely to get along than cats with very different personalities.
Benefits of Two Cats
There are many benefits to having two cats in the home. Cats are social animals and benefit greatly from having feline companionship. Here are some of the benefits of having two cats:
- Companionship: Cats are social animals and enjoy spending time with other cats. Having two cats in the home provides companionship for both cats.
- Mental Stimulation: Cats that live alone can become bored and depressed. Having another cat in the home provides mental stimulation and helps to prevent boredom.
- Exercise: Cats that live alone may not get enough exercise. Having another cat in the home provides opportunities for play and exercise.
- Reduced Stress: Cats that live alone can become stressed and anxious. Having another cat in the home can reduce stress and provide a calming influence.
- Grooming: Cats that live together will often groom each other. This provides a form of social bonding and helps to strengthen the bond between the cats.
Conclusion
Cats are not solitary creatures and benefit greatly from having feline companionship. When it comes to adopting cats, two is always better than one. Kittens that are adopted in pairs learn important social skills and provide each other with companionship. Adult cats can also benefit from having a feline companion, as it provides mental stimulation, exercise, and reduces stress. If you are considering adopting a cat, consider adopting two.
Growing up we had three cats (we still have 2). They were never close. They didnt cuddle or show each other affection. They all had their own spaces in the house that the other cats respected. When one of them, Blossom, started declining in her old age and losing weight, our very food motivated boy, Snowball, would give up his food for her and always waited until she had her fill before he ate (she got special food he liked and previously we would have to put him in another room or he would try to steal her food). If he was eating his food and she showed interest in it, he would stop eating and give it to her. We always thought that they didnt care for each other. He really proved us wrong. They may not be afffectionate with each other, but he cared enough to give her his dinner and treats when she needed it more than him. Now, Snowball is 18 and our other girl, Rose, is 19. Rose is declining now and losing weight as well. A few months ago he would have happily pushed her asside and stolen her food given the oportunity. Now he eats his and then patiently waits for her to finish before going after the leftovers even when he likes her food better than his own.
We did not know about the 2 cat rule when we adopted our first cat 2 years ago. But after watching a million Jackson Galaxy videos we decided that our Felix will be so much happier if we get him a friend. So we adopted a girl kitten this year. We introduced them slowly, but he went through some kind of a depression – stopped purring, got an allergy, then got sick, but eventually they started getting along. Now we see that both of them are so happy together! playing all the time, even sleeping together. We left them alone for 10 days (of course with a nanny giving them food and play every day) and when we got back there was no sign of that usual stress that Felix has if we are on vacation for more than 2-3 days. It was the best decision ever. Cats need other cats <3
My boss found 3 kittens while she was hiking. Someone dumped them in the woods when they were 3-4 weeks old. I ended up bringing all 3 home and I’m so glad I did. I can’t imagine not having them all. They’re 3 months old now and all have their own distinct personalities. They’re so much fun to watch and they’re super sweet.
About 3 weeks ago we adopted a second adult cat after having our boy Muta for 4 years. Followed your slow introduction rules, Muta was very afraid of her at first and she was very confident. In about one week our cats were absolutely obsessed with eachother! Although we give Muta a lot of love and play, I can already tell his physical and mental health have increased so much. And I get twice the cuddles.
I learned about this from my last cat. She was an only child all her life. She had a brother that was adopted by someone at the shelter and she looked so sad and lonely in that little cage. She was just a little kitten all by herself so I decided to take her home with me and she was my little sweetheart for 18yrs. She just recently passed away from old age. She had arthritis and a health problem that shortened her life. I miss her to this day. A strange thing happened after she passed. I had a dream about her. In my dream, she was at my front door with 2 other cats. They were siblings, brother and sister. I can’t explain how I knew what she was saying. I just understood her that she was sending me these 2 little sibling cats to make me happy again. It was then that I also understood that she missed her brother her whole life. And this was why she sent me these 2 precious little cats that are brother and sister. It was only 2 days after that dream that a guy showed up at my daughter’s work. He wanted someone to take 2 young cats because he was moving and couldn’t take them with him. My daughter, who I live with, took them right away and I was surprised and happy because they were the same cats that I saw in my dream that were with my beloved cat that had just passed. I was never aware that she missed her brother all that time that I had her. I learned learned this from her. Never just adopt one. My 2 new cats are so cute and funny. I love them. ❤️❤️
When my boyfriend and I bought our home in 2021, we had 2 girls. That same year I changed jobs and my first week I got to play rescue ranger to a feral cat and her kittens on the property I manage. I was only able to catch one before mama moved the rest of the kittens elsewhere. I felt so bad separating this kitten from her family, so we fostered and then adopted her. 3 cats was great, but we could tell there was something missing. The newest girl just seemed like the odd one out all the time. We looked and looked but no cat we saw felt like a great fit. This past February on a 7° day with ice all around, I hear cries of a kitten coming from under a car. Our parking lot is always busy, but especially in the mornings. So I went and wrangled this kitten for an hour at the start of my day. She was in bad shape. Half frozen from being wet, with frost bite on her tail and tips of her ears. I was sure she wasn’t going to make it. We agreed if she pulled through, we would keep her. A month later she had to have the tip of her tail removed from the frostbite. A small sliver of her ear tip fell off. She was sickly and malnourished, but not for long. 10 months later and she is a cuddle bug, sweetest thing you could meet. She’s come a long way and she rounds out our home. Just fits in like a puzzle piece. We are now real big believers in what we call the Rule of Evens. Pairs are just better able to keep each other company and no one gets left out.
I’ve had a 2-year-old stray cat I adopted for a few months now, and she’s just the sweetest cat – so friendly and loves attention. I thought SURELY if I adopt another cat, she’ll be totally fine with it! Flash forward, my Ex found a 5-week-old stray kitten on a corn farm with an upper respiratory infection. No one knew what had happened to his family, and the family living there who had been feeding him BEGGED her to take him. I decided to take him in and nurse him back to health. I kept them separate until he was old enough to test for FIV/FeLV – figured they were probably introduced and familiar with each others’ scents over the past 6 weeks. Tried to physically introduce them, and it went TERRIBLY. My resident cat hissed, swatted, growled, attacked – all sorts of aggression. In the process now with the closed-door mealtimes. Wish me luck! I love both of them so much.
My husband and I got married a month ago, and each of us had one cat, and we have both enjoyed seeing our boys play together and want to cuddle us even more than they did before. Both cats were adopted while we were dating, so we always had the plan of eventually putting them together, but it’s been crazy to see how much better it was. The kitten stopped biting us because he always had someone to play with. And he’s learned that his big brother doesn’t really like to be bitten either lol.