At a good friend’s house, 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 calm down collectively in a heap and fall asleep. In your manner house, you may’t assist however suppose: 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 undoubtedly quantities to.
That mentioned, some cats are extra socially inclined than others. Shelter cats who’ve spent numerous time with others earlier than being adopted will usually 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 suppose your cat could be happier with the corporate, perceive that you’re making use of a human perspective to the state of affairs. Although we would hate being alone ten hours every day, most cats do fairly effectively with it, and even choose it that manner. However, if it’s merely since you need the additional firm or wish to rescue a cat from the multitude dealing with euthanasia in an overcrowded shelter, that’s not less than a good and/or noble reply. And, in lots of instances, it’s one thing you can also make work.
Plan Correctly
So, then, you need a second cat, for you. Okay. Now the problem turns into: can or not it’s accomplished? The reply might be, although it is going to rely very a lot in your resident cat, on the brand new cat, on the out there house, and on how effectively 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? In that case, the chances are good {that a} new cat will finally be accepted by her. However, if she was as soon as a stray or a feral cat, has a historical past of combating, or has lived for a very long time on her personal, then your job turns into more durable.
Does she disguise when company come, solely to resurface an hour after the final particular person has gone? In that case, the thought of getting a second cat turns into a riskier one. Now, look to your own home. Is it a one-room residence or a spacious home? Small areas make socializing two cats more durable, as a result of they covet territory and gained’t stand for fixed invasions into their house. In a big house, even two cats hostile to one another can discover house to dwell and to keep away from one another if want be. However in a small house, two offended cats are prone to brawl.