For cats that are left on their own for long periods each day, it is a good idea to consider providing another cat for company. Sociable interaction with another cat can greatly enrich their daily lives. The younger they are when introduced, the greater the chances of their getting on amicably most of the time.
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.
But one of the best reasons that two cats are better than one is that your cat will stay occupied—they'll be less bored and less destructive if they have a friend to keep them company, to play with, and to bond with. This is especially true for young cats.
The younger they are when introduced, the greater the chances of their getting on amicably most of the time. After about two years of age, acceptance of another cat can be a bit random, but they will very rarely totally reject another cat in the long-term.
Raising two cats together can turn out to be a challenge the complexity of which can fluctuate on a case-by-case basis. The decision to raise two cat means double the responsibility and the patience on most of the occasions, however, if you love cats, then it's twice the cuteness and fun.
The ideal number of litter boxes for a multi-cat household is one for each cat and an extra box more for security, however, if you cannot afford this or if your cats are trained to use one litter box, it is okay to use the regular one, but it is still best recommended to use the self-cleaning or automatic litter box as ...
You can test this by following a simple 3 second rule: If you pause after 3 seconds of stroking your cat, do they try to reinitiate contact (i.e. rub against you)? If not, your cat has probably had enough for now!
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.
Don't worry too much about the gender of the cats involved. Age and temperament are the most important factors.
Cat depression after getting a new kitten
Cats are territorial creatures and they use their pheromones to mark their territory. Introducing a new kitten to its territory may leave your cat feeling as though its space has been invaded. They may also miss your undivided attention!
Follow this simple rule: one box per cat, plus one extra. So if you have two cats, you should have three boxes. Making sure everyone has their space can help ease elimination issues. Some owners prefer a hooded box, but some cats don't like them.
Negatives Of Getting Two Cats
Two or more cats will eat more food, need more vet visits and will cost more to insure. This means that keeping more than one cat can quickly become expensive.
You should expect the introduction process to take no less than a week but could take much longer depending on your cats' temperaments.
I hear people often say that they think it will be easier to start with one kitten and then, later on, adopt another. I can see the logic - getting two might seem like rushing into a bigger commitment but really, it's not much different. In fact - bringing in a second kitten later will likely be a much harder process.
Likewise letting the cat get used to the new smells of the house and another cat before the initial meeting can make it more tolerable. For this reason it can be very useful to delay letting cats meet for a few days or even a week.
Create a separate space for your new cat with a litter box, toys, water, bed and a scratching post. A spare bedroom or bathroom is perfect. Introduce smell first. Get your current cat used to the smell of the new cat by rubbing a towel or washcloth gently over the new cat.
The definitive answer is that you can leave a cat alone for up to 72 hours if you have to. If that's all you're looking for, then be on your merry way. However, you may be wondering how you can make those 72 hours bearable and safe for your cat?
However, Cats Can Share Water Bowls
There also is usually a lot more water, enough for everyone. Although, cats can drink from the same water bowls throughout the day, have at least 2 bowls of fresh water out in a multi-cat household. Place water bowls in different rooms and on different floors in your home.
It's suggested that you choose two male cats or a male and female combination if bringing home two kittens who are not already bonded as they tend to get along better than two females. Cats generally don't like eating close together, so consider placing your kittens' food bowls across the room from each other.
If a young, active male is your family companion animal, he would really enjoy having a male buddy who shares his enthusiasm for vigorous play. A laid-back, older (neutered) male cat may enjoy "mothering" a kitten - male or female. They usually make better mothering substitutes than spayed females.
Cats that come in pairs tend to be healthier and live longer than single cats because they often get more exercise, which keeps their hearts healthy and reduces their stress. Additionally, exercise lessens the risk of having an overweight pet, and can add years to their life.
Adopting Two Doesn't Cost Much More Than Adopting One
Kittens can share many of their supplies—including litter boxes (Remember: it's recommended that cat owners keep two litter boxes for one cat; three litter boxes for two cats; and so on), food and water dishes, toys, beds, and more.
You just have to be calm, encourage the cats to play and eat together, separate them if there's aggression, and BE PATIENT. The cats will need to first get used to each other, and then establish their social order in the household. But they usually DO work it out.
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.