Age and temperament are the most important factors. Adult cats will usually accept a new kitten much more easily than they will accept a new adult cat. Cats are territorial, and your cat may resent an adult feline intruder.
Most cats can at least learn to tolerate each other. But others may become so close that they snuggle together, clean each other, and chase each other around the house all day. Getting a second cat can be a blessing to your home. Just try to match the cats' personalities and make sure you set up your home for success.
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.
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.
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.
It can be a long and sensitive process of acclimating each cat to the other—and you should get another cat only if you're prepared to do the work. “Any time you're introducing any pet into a household, you have to be patient and know that there will be a period needed for adjustments,” says Brian C.
Pairs Make Happier Pet Owners
By sharing cat toys, litter boxes, lounge areas and beds, having a bonded pair costs roughly the same as having a single cat. Plus, since one cat will need a regular feeding and litter box cleaning schedule, adding one more won't feel like twice the work.
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.
Most feline behaviorists agree that cats generally lead healthier, happier lives if there is another feline in the household. Even if the cats never become bosom buddies, just sharing the house with another living creature while you are away helps to break the monotony and loneliness.
Taking care of multiple cats can be a task that demands lots of patience and attention. Follow the above listed tips to manage multiple cats effectively. If any of your cats is showing some consistent behavioral issues, it is ideal to separate it from the pack and take it to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
It's true that many cats can benefit from having a feline buddy. Although cats have a reputation as solitary animals, they are social creatures and can thrive on forming close bonds with other creatures.
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.
Given time, many cats will accept a new kitten. When you think your older cat is comfortable around your kitten, you can start to let your kitten have more freedom, under supervision.
Most experts agree that the time to get a new pet is after you have worked through your grief adequately to be able to look forward to a new pet instead of back at the recently departed one. That process could take a week or two – or many months.
Male cats tend to be more social and affectionate with both humans and other cats. They commonly form strong bonds with other cats in the home, even when they are not from the same litter. Females, on the other hand, are often more standoffish. If you are looking for a cuddle bug, adopting a male may be your best bet.
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.
Will two male cats get along? Well, that depends on the cats. Contrary to popular belief, two male cats will not necessarily fight each other to the death. Cats that have lived on the streets and have had to defend themselves will be more aggressive once rescued and placed in a home.
By having both cats experience something positive (a meal or yummy snack) while they are nearby, they can learn to form positive associations with each other. If either cat is growling or hissing at the other through the door, donot put them together anytime soon; take things very slowly and continue feeding this way.
Cats are the most hoarded animals (65 percent) followed by rabbits and small dogs. According to experts, an individual must not have more than five cats. If you really love cats, six is the maximum.
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.
Adult cats will usually accept a new kitten much more easily than they will accept a new adult cat. Cats are territorial, and your cat may resent an adult feline intruder. If you're able to choose from a group of kittens, avoid a kitten that's hissing, growling or engaged in serious battle with his mates.
This independence could be tied their wild ancestors, who were solitary animals. However, domesticated cats have evolved to crave companionship, often forming strong bonds with humans and sometimes even other pets. So, do cats get lonely? Because of the attachments they form, the answer is yes; cats can feel lonely!
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.