Cat question?

Question

I adopted a cat about 6-7months ago, and he came from a home of 12 cats. Should I get another cat for him so he has a playmate, or just let him be as the only cat of the household?

Answer 1

First question is always " Is he Neutered/Fixed?"

If there isn't a person home and accessiable 24/7 then it would be smart to get him a friend. Most people will say to get a second cat,.. but it's always dependent on your house hold. For example some homes have more then 3 people and as long as someone is home they are giving the cat attention,.. so the cat gets sleep whenever noone is home or when only one certain person is home alone with them.

I would suggest another cat, if he was social with the other cats, since he is use to being around so many cats. It would be a creature comfort. (Some cats do not like haveing other cats around.)

Some people say the best combo is two of the same gender. Some people say Males only like haveing a female around.

Answer 2

Well that depends on a couple of things.
Did the cat you adopted get along well with the other cats in his old home?
Are you sure that you are able to take on the responsibility of another cat?

If the answer to both of those questions is yes, then I say go for it.
If your new cat got along with the others in his old household he would PROBABLY get along with another cat...but you'd more than likely have to introduce them slowly.
Is it possible that you could adopt another one of the other 12 cats that he used to live with?

Just wanted to add that we have 4 cats...two are Sisters and we got them at the same time...when they were 5 weeks old.
Four years later we adopted a stray female that my Son found in the middle of a busy street, to scared to go one way or the other.
After introducing them slowly all three got along great, not problems whatsoever.

A month ago we adopted another stray, this one a male about a year old.
No problems at all.
Again introducing the cats slowly is the key thing to avoid problems and making sure all cats are spayed or neutered, if possible.
I say if possible, because the two Sisters were born with breathing problems and can not be spayed.

I've had cats all of my life and always had more than one without problems.
But again, I'll stress introducing slowly is the best way to go.

Answer 3

Domestic cats are not social animals by nature- that is, they do not have any instincts to live in a large group, the way lions do. Some cats will prefer to have a friend around, but many of them prefer to be the only cat. If your cat is eating well, and seems happy having you for company, I would not get another cat. At one point, my parents had 5 cats in their house, and they all despised each other and fought bitterly. I took one of them with me when I moved out, and now he fights with my roommate's cat instead, because he just wants to be left alone.

Keep in mind that adding a second cat could start a lot of behavioral problems, from fighting, to urine-spraying to mark territory, to pooping outside the box in anger, and if both cats aren't of equal size and temperment, the weaker of the two will probably get bullied a lot. I'm not saying it's impossible to have 2 cats get along and be friends, but I'll warn you that's often not the case, and then you'll have to decide what to do with the new cat.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Firstly, I have to commend you for discussing this issue. Some people buy more and more cats at no consideration for their trusty cats they already have. Do you find yourself away from home alot of for most of the day? Is your cat docile and friendly enough for another cat? If so, I would consider another cat for him. Why not check out your local pount or cattery. There are some lovely older cats that would love a new home, and sometimes get overlooked for younger cats and kittens. If you do decide to get another cat, make the introduction supervised and as loving as you can. Good luck.

Answer 5

Imagine if you were the only human being in a place, and all that is around you are creatures very unlike yourself - for your entire life! There is no one to talk to or play with. No one to cuddle up to except these creatures very unlike you. They're kind to you and provide you with all your basic needs, but yet, you are alone.

Many people think cats are "solitary" animals and don't mind being alone. There are more cats living completely alone than any other pet. They spend hour upon hour totally alone with mostly nothing to do but gaze out a window - and this is the main thrust of their entire lives. As a result many cats develop behaviorial problems, which are really mental problems. Going outside the cat box, tearing things up, etc. They are lonely and tortured and we think the situation is OK.

Yet if cats are left to their own choices they will always, always seek out the regular company of other cats, and even form groups they will stay permanently with, even if they are not related. Why? For companionship, just like we ourselves crave.

In years past I have been faced with this question myself and finally learned that another cat, or two, is always better. I found that it's just as easy to care for two as for one, and almost as inexpensive. In the end it is me who received the greatest benefit of having more than one - to see them play together, clean one another, cuddle up together in companionship, to not have to worry when I'm away that there is loneliness - all these things gave me the greatest happiness and satisfaction!

So many innocent, loving cats (and dogs!) need loving homes to avoid a miserable death on the streets from hunger and exposure and worse, or to avoid the near-certain death that being in a "shelter" brings. To get another would be a great kindness that the Universe will not forget!

Answer 6

I recommend no. Just keep the one, get it some things to play with and give it lots of attention. They adapt well and will find new things to play with instead of other cats. Plus more than one cat in a household can be tiresome. Enjoy the cat, don't make it work for yourself. I think cats like being alone and the center of attention. WHEN they want it. They keep themselves busy. I have barn cats and they ALWAYS get along okay but they are not buddies at all. Actually most of them prefer to play with my aussie dog, instead of each other.

Answer 7

we got a second cat about 6 months after we got the first one. Tubs (the first) did not like the idea of sharing her domain but after about 2 days they were sleeping on the couch together and cleaning each other, when i am at work all day I don't worry about them because I know that they are best buds and they have each other. jasper and tubs are opposite genders which I think is important!

Answer 8

I think cats good with either. How old is the cat? Choose the opposite sex of the resident. Spay or neuter both. It takes some time to adjust so supervised visits first.

Answer 9

I'll bet he loves being any only cat! The toughest thing about bringing in a second cat to a male cat that you already have could end up being territory issues where the male will spray(pee) on everything.

Answer 10

it doesn't matter what size family the cat came from but, i think cats do better with a companion

mine were adeopted at 5 months and 11 months and i think the first one is happier with a "sister"