Cats are family-oriented and usually live with their relatives. Cats will sleep together, share common feeding areas, and groom one another within family groups. For this reason, cats often do well adopted in pairs.
According to Katenna Jones, an Associated Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, Certified Cat Behavior Consultant, and owner of Jones Animal Behavior, some cats can be very social and get lonely easily, while others may be more solitary and prefer to be alone.
Pairs Make Happier Pet Owners
Because two cats tend to live happier and healthier, there's less chance of bad or destructive behavior, which means less damage to furniture and belongings, and happier pet owners. But the best reason of all to adopt a bonded pair: double the affection.
Cats crave companionship, and if they are frequently left on their own for hours or even days at a time they experience the same feelings of loneliness, depression, or anxiety that we humans do.
Although cats have a reputation as solitary animals, they are social creatures and can thrive on forming close bonds with other creatures. Certain changes in behavior, such as irregular sleeping, eating, or grooming habits, may indicate that a cat is lonely and could benefit from some feline companionship.
While every cat has a different personality, the general signs of separation anxiety in felines are: Excessive meowing, crying or moaning. Eating too fast or not eating at all. Excessive self-grooming.
Signs of a Depressed Cat
Changes in body language, including ears held back, tucked tail, and hairs standing on end. Meowing more or less than usual or making low-pitched, mournful meows. Lack of energy or a decrease in activity level. Retreating from humans or other family pets.
If you are just looking to get one cat, your future feline pet will not be severely deprived if you do not get another with it. A cat can live a happy life as the only cat in the house. At the same time, cats are more social than we may have at one time believed.
If your cats are really fighting, one cat's behavior has changed (hiding, not using litter box), or you see other signs that they are definitely not getting along, you need to take more dramatic action. Separate them to prevent fights and injuries.
If you have a young cat at home and want a second, consider adopting one kitten of the opposite sex, as same-sex cats are much more prone to fight each other for dominance. Your resident cat will still be young enough to recall having fun with her littermates, and the new kitten will be more than happy to oblige.
Fortunately, neutered and spayed cats are much more likely to get on well together than intact adult cats. Generally, female cats tend to be more accepting of new cats into their home. They are more likely to accept another female cat than a male cat.
Two Can Be Better Than one
Cats can get territorial if they don't have enough individual space, so if your home or apartment is small or cluttered, two might not be the best choice. To avoid potential conflict between pets, try to adopt young cats at the same time.
There are benefits to having two cats, but they apply only when the two cats are well matched and have enough physical space to live together comfortably. One benefit is that the two cats provide each other with exercise, social interaction, and other forms of mental stimulation.
Each cat will need their own resources, plus one extra
As cats don't like to share, they'll each need their own food bowl, water bowl, litter tray, scratch post and bed, plus a spare. So if you have two cats, you'll need three of everything.
They have relaxed body language
If your cat tends to sit like a perfect loaf, with their paws tucked under their body, their tail wrapped around them, and their eyes closed or softly open, these are all signs that they are feeling happy and comfortable in their environment.
A: Cats can get lonely, depressed and anxious on their own. Each cat is different and will respond according to their personality and habits. If you have to leave your cat alone regularly for longer periods of time, watch out for signs of depression and cat separation anxiety.
If you leave your cat alone for too long it can cause boredom, stress, separation anxiety, and unwanted behavior – not to mention the risk of accidents or illness. Kittens need more care and shouldn't be left alone for longer than 4 hours.
Provide a stimulating environment for when they're alone: think hideaways and tunnels, cat trees and perches, hanging toys with catnip and interactive toys. Leave quietly while your cat is otherwise occupied. Don't play with your cat or pick him up for hugs and affection right before walking out.
Even with the convenience of a litter box and an endless supply of food, cats left alone for long stretches of time, day after day, can suffer from loneliness, boredom, and even separation anxiety.
Though household cats do get lonely because they developed a need for companionship, remember their ancestors were solitary animals. Therefore, it's in cats' roots to also enjoy some time to themselves!
The bottom line is most cats can be totally happy living indoors – but owners need to put in the effort to provide for their environmental and behavioural needs.
Single kitten syndrome is the idea that young kittens, when raised with other young kittens and cats and then adopted into a home by themselves, can become aggressive, anxious, stressed, and even develop behavioral issues like inappropriate chewing/scratching and inappropriately using the litterbox.