Does a Ragdoll kitten/cat need a companion?

Question

I am very interested in getting a Ragdoll kitten. I noticed that some places recommend that you get them a companion cat if you are away from the house for long periods of time. I am wondering what consists as a "long period of time"?

I work a normal 8am to 5pm job (leave the house about 7:30am and get home at 5:00pm). My boyfriend works construction so he is very busy in the summer months (works 6am to about 3pm; the hours vary every day) but is usually home all day or most of the day in the winter months. We are usually home on the weekends other than maybe leaving to go out to eat.

Will the kitten be okay w/o a companion in this situation? Or do we need to get another cat? We are just not sure we can afford to buy 2 Ragdoll kittens at once. I suppose a cat from the humane society is always an option, if needed?! Thanks.

Answer 1

Yes... Cats like companionship, does not even have to be another "kitten" could be a little older cat but one still with the energy to play with a kitten. Check with your local shelters... they may be able to help you find a perfect companion and you would get to help a cat that might other wise never have a home.

Answer 2

My Ragdoll has a companion. Its a golden retriever though lol. The puppy gets to go in and out of the house all day long and our Ragdoll gets extremely jealous! So We are getting another raggy kitten in the middle of next month. There will only be about a 4 month difference in age so they should be close. I believe in getting a companion for any animal 100%. I also think that you getting yours from a shelter is a phenomenal idea!

I wish you the best of luck in finding the perfect playmate for her!

Answer 3

Steel is wrong. It isn't that cats need less companionship, they need less care. Cats are not necessarily solitary creatures. Many cats really do want to have a companion with them. We just got our one year old kitty a new kitten to play with. I felt bad leaving him alone all day and the pound was overloaded with kitties needing a home.

If you really want a ragdoll kitten, get one, but get him a friend from the pound. What better feeling than saving a cat from a situation they don't deserve to be in. My two pound kitties are the friendliest animals ever!

Now, cats do need less care than dogs, so this actually works to your advantage. You should clean the litter box at least once a week anyway and with two cats you have two litter boxes. Toys and scratching posts can be shared, so that isn't an issue. Food costs do go up, but I have found this to be minimal.

I am thrilled with our new kitten and so is her older brother. They have become friends and now wrestle and groom eachother. Bandit has even shown his little sister all of his secret hiding places. It is actually a lot of fun for us to watch the two of them interact.

Answer 4

I prefer to have two cats always, simply because when you're stuck in a house alone, those 9 hours can get really long and boring. A cat from the humane society is a great option, you'll be helping to socialize your kitten with other cats and saving a life as well!

Answer 5

An adult cat would be OK with the lifestyle you describe. Kitten do need more companionship and a playmate to develop into emtionally well-balanced cats.

Putting a ragdoll with a shelter kitten would be just fine and they would do well together. IMO two male kittens or a male and a female make the best social combination.

Answer 6

The great thing about cats as compared to dogs is that they don't need as much companionship. They are naturally solitary creatures, so as long as they have plenty to do in the house (complete with food, water, scratching post, litter box, and toys), they can do alright on their own. Just be sure to give them plenty of attention when you come back from work.

But some cats really appreciate having a companion cat around. It would just be up to you whether you're willing to care for two cats, which of course means double the food, double the vet costs, and double the poop.

Personally, I would say that he doesn't need another cat to keep him company, just as long as you make up for that companionship when you get home.

Answer 7

Cats are happiest with a playmate. A single cat can get very bored, it's not good for their health and sometimes they misbehave if they're lonely (pee on the floor, etc.) (The exception is that occasionally you find a cat who just does not like other cats. But that's rare. Usually they want a kitty friend.) If you get two kittens about the same age, they'll be great friends.

Answer 8

I have one cat, she is a Himalayan, which is much like a ragdoll, she is home alone for several hours, I leave her food down for her and plenty of water, then she gets loads of attention when we are all getting in for the evening and she is happy, playful and content. Yes alot of places like for a cat to have a companion, but it's not necessary. Cats adjust to their daily lives and do just fine, my cat does her napping during the day and stays awake while we are home. Cats sleep up to 18 hours a day anyway. Good luck to you.

Answer 9

For the past 25 years, I've always believed in having more than one cat or kitten, for their companionship, playing, etc. This was until we got a Ragdoll last year. When we got her, she was our only cat, and because of her peculiar characteristics, we realize it is best that she be our only cat. Now, I fight this in my mind because I like to see cats together, but I know after having her this past year, that it is best she be alone. She sleeps all day anyway.

Answer 10

Cats travel in colonies and naturally get lonely when left alone. 2 cats are always much better to have than 1 if you work full days. By the way, you can find many Ragdolls on www.petfinder.com.