Is it mean to keep a single cat?

[Anonymous]

I never thought I was a cat person, but a year and a half ago someone gave me a kitten and we've kept her. Now I love the cat and am unashamed to admit that she's like another child, and I'm a crazy cat lady now.

Anyway, the cat is kept indoors and I was wondering today if she is lonely? I read some articles online that say cats get "stressed" if another cat is introduced into the home and that they prefer to live as "only cats", but I'm not so sure. She is alone all day when we are at school/work, and it makes me sad to think that she's bored with no stimulation, and every day the same. She tries to entice her humans to play more than we are able/willing, and does things like pounce on legs, etc. that seem like normal cat playing behavior...but no one plays back that way.

So I am prepared to get a kitten for my cat so that she can have someone to play with (that is how crazy-cat-lady I have become). For those of you who have more than one cat, do you think that they are happier that way? Did the first cat seem stressed or resentful when you added a new feline? Do you think either/any of your cats would prefer to live as only-cats in the household?

[Anonymous]

My cat is super happy as an only cat. And - when he was younger, I would take him to a boyfriend's house who had two cats, and he got along with them great!

It is impossible to tell if your cat will adapt well. I'd recommend seeing if a friend has a cat you could cat-sit for a few days to see how your cat does before you make any decisions.

[Anonymous]

Most of my cats have preferred to be the only.

[Anonymous]

I was in the same place OP - and we got a slightly younger kitten, were sure to introduce them the correct way - but it really did not work at all. They did not get along. They chased a lot and the big one would literally sit on and squash the smaller one. We had to separate them at night or fights would break out at 2am. Fortunately we found a family to take our kitten and our solo cat has transformed back into the mellow, affectionate cat she was before the 2nd one arrived.

[Anonymous]

My indoor-only kitty is also a needy little love sponge. He really hates other cats though. I've fostered lots of other cats over the years of varying types -- young, old, male, female -- and always followed the advice to slowly introduce them, etc. Never worked, he hated them all! He just wants affection from people.

BTW, I had the same problem of feeling guilty that I left him alone all day. I ended up getting a window bird feeder to keep him entertained and he loves the damn thing. Sits there watching it with his tail twitching all day. And sometimes he tries to pounce! The window is full of paw prints and nose prints... he will never figure out he can't eat the birds through the window

[Anonymous]

Really depends on the cat. Ours seems like she'd like a friend too but she's mean to the cats my mother owns. So she's staying only cat.

[Anonymous]

I got two kittens at the same time so that they wouldn't be lonely. Unfortunately, I think one of my cats would be much happier if he was an only cat (his "brother" chases him a lot and the hissing/cat fights drive me nuts).

[Anonymous]

No. Cats prefer not to live with other cats. In fact, your cat would have a hard time adapting to another cat in its territory.

[Anonymous]

Cats are not interested in playing with other cats. I guarantee you that the cat is fast asleep during the day when it's by itself.

[Anonymous]

I used to despise cats like you OP, then once I got one, I had to get another.

So, I have become a cat lady as well. Who knew??

Anyway, I got my first cat, a Male at 5 mos. old. I didn't plan on getting a second cat at the time, but I noticed every time I came home, my kitty was at the front door waiting for me. I assumed this was due to loneliness. Plus, whenever I would get ready to go anywhere, he sensed it + would act nervous. For instance, if he was asleep and saw me getting ready to go, he would wake up and follow me every where.

So I got him another Male kitty roughly the same age as a "friend."

Of course, it took some time to transition him to get used to the cat, but he eventually did.

When they were younger, they would play w/each other, chase each other around for fun. They also used to lie side by side and I kid you not, one time I came home and the older kitty had his furry arm around the younger one. Too bad I didn't have a camera phone at the time, because no one seems to believe me! They also used to lick each other which I took as them bathing each other.

My older cat no longer was nervous or stressed when I would leave, and he never sat by the door waiting for me all day to get home.

Fast forward almost a decade later.

They barely interact and if they do, it's typically one chasing the other and a lot of hissing/growling.

Go figure.

[Anonymous]

No, don't get another cat. Get an aquarium with fish your cat can watch (but not eat). Cats get in horrible fights with each other. I'd avoid it at all costs.

[Anonymous]

If this was true, they would come as pairs. Your cat is fine. It's just young.

[Anonymous]

We currently have a pair who adore each other, but they are littermates who were raised together.

PPs are right - it can be difficult to introduce a second cat if one is already established. Our previous cat definitely preferred to be the only one.

[Anonymous]

We had two that hated each other. One was beat up on all the time. We got them together both as kittens but one was clearly dominant and abusive. We finally had to find the dominant cat a new home. Sometimes it’s better to just have one.

[Anonymous]

It really depends on the cats involved. We have four cats. Some get along, others hate each other. They apparently have personalities and clashes.