At a good friend’s dwelling, you watch as her two younger cats play like fiends, chasing one another, batting ping-pong balls, and having a grand time of it. Then, drained, they cool down collectively in a heap and fall asleep. In your method dwelling, you possibly can’t assist however assume: is my solo cat lacking out?
The brief reply is: it is determined by the cat. Some will take to a brand new feline companion pretty shortly and benefit from the camaraderie, whereas others will hate the intrusion and wage bloody warfare on the interloper. That’s the character of cats, a species that leans towards the stoic, the impartial, the self-sufficient. Cats are supremely territorial and infrequently detest to share house with different pets. And so they abhor change, which is what a brand new cat positively quantities to.
That stated, some cats are extra socially inclined than others. Shelter cats who’ve spent plenty of time with others earlier than being adopted will typically settle for a brand new feline into the house, as will naturally pleasant cats who don’t appear to thoughts who comes and goes. And kittens often have little drawback socializing with others, significantly different kittens (extra on that later).
The important thing query to ask earlier than continuing is: why are you contemplating a second cat? If it’s since you assume your cat could be happier with the corporate, perceive that you’re making use of a human perspective to the scenario. Although we would hate being alone ten hours every day, most cats do fairly nicely with it, and even favor it that method. However, if it’s merely since you need the additional firm or want to rescue a cat from the multitude going through euthanasia in an overcrowded shelter, that’s at the least a good and/or noble reply. And, in lots of circumstances, it’s one thing you may make work.
Plan Properly
So, then, you desire a second cat, for you. Okay. Now the problem turns into: can or not it’s performed? The reply might be, although it would rely very a lot in your resident cat, on the brand new cat, on the out there house, and on how nicely you set your own home up beforehand. First, take inventory of your cat. Is she pleasant towards company? Has she interacted with different pets in a civil method? If that’s the case, the percentages are good {that a} new cat will ultimately be accepted by her. However, if she was as soon as a stray or a feral cat, has a historical past of preventing, or has lived for a very long time on her personal, then your job turns into tougher.
Does she conceal when company come, solely to resurface an hour after the final individual has gone? If that’s the case, the concept of getting a second cat turns into a riskier one. Now, look to your own home. Is it a one-room condo or a spacious home? Small areas make socializing two cats tougher, as a result of they covet territory and gained’t stand for fixed invasions into their house. In a big dwelling, even two cats hostile to one another can discover house to stay and to keep away from one another if want be. However in a small house, two indignant cats are more likely to brawl.
Kitten Energy
Cat lovers who need two cats do finest by getting two kittens, proper at first. Kittens who develop up aspect by aspect nearly at all times get alongside nicely and can amuse and train one another all through the day. Two littermates from a shelter are the perfect alternative right here.
When you have a younger cat at dwelling and desire a second, think about adopting one kitten of the other intercourse, as same-sex cats are rather more vulnerable to struggle one another for dominance. Your resident cat will nonetheless be younger sufficient to recall having enjoyable along with her littermates, and the brand new kitten can be very happy to oblige. Even when your resident cat is an grownup, deciding on a kitten of the other gender for the brand new pet is very advisable, as her youth and low stature will assure that few territorial disputes will happen. The older cat will learn her the riot act shortly, and set the tone for future relations.