Adopt a second cat

The cliché of cats being solitary animals is long gone. Many owners know that their hairballs enjoy the company of other cats. Exactly, kittens indoor cats should never live alone. So, head to the breeding or the shelter to adopt a second cat or even a third! But beware, getting two cats to live together is not that simple!

Summary

1. Is the cat a solitary animal?
2. A solitary animal, what does that imply?
3. The character of cats
4. The age of cats
5. Adopting a second cat of the same breed?
6. How many cats to adopt?
7. Welcoming a second cat: the preparation
8.  Befriending: the first contact
9. Cohabitation between cats: if everything does not go as planned
10. Cohabitation between cats: if it does not work

Do you want the best for your cat and therefore offer him a playmate as soon as possible? However, we humans do not necessarily appreciate the company of people around us, even if they are the same age or come from the same region as us. In elementary school, children often feel lonely, sometimes for weeks, before they begin to make friends. And for some people, it took a while to find good friends. It’s the same with cats! Cats are not all the same: they have different characters, experiences, and individual preferences.

If you want to adopt a second cat and are looking for a feline, be sure to take precautions to save yourself and your first tom from stressful situations!

Is the cat a solitary animal?

Perhaps you have already heard that cats are “lone hunters. But what does that mean? Indeed, small felines such as African wildcats or European wildcats live exclusively alone. The reason here comes from the size of their prey, which looks more like small snacks than full meals.

A mouse or a small bird cannot be divided into several parts. And even so, if it were possible, no cat could eat its fill. This is why cats hunt and eat their prey alone. Hunting is an integral part of a cat’s life, which is why feral cats live alone for much of the year. Despite everything, small felines are a little more sociable. For example, European wildcats (close relatives of our domestic cats) raise their kittens together.

Moreover, even the big wild cats such as jaguars, lynxes, and tigers hunt without their congeners. The lion is the only big cat to hunt and live in packs!

Despite their closeness to humans, the character of cats has not changed. Even living indoors, they remain small independent hunters. However, the living conditions of these furballs have evolved. This does not only apply to indoor cats but also stray and semi-wild cats. Admittedly, the latter live according to a wild way of life but are fed by men and accustomed to cohabitation with them.

This is why they are often all together near feeding points. As long as there is enough food or enough room, problems are rare. But despite these gatherings, these wild cats are not packed animals. These solitary hunters do not organize themselves like a pack of wolves, nor do they submit to the orders of a leader. On the contrary, the hierarchy within a group of cats depends on the place and time. In the morning, cat A dominates the barn, and in the afternoon it’s Cat B’s turn. Cat C is the leader of the south side of the farm. A very different logic!

A solitary animal, what does that imply?

Even though there are cats that are quite dominant and others that accept to submit to the hierarchy more easily, the social structure of a group of cats is more complicated than that of a pack of dogs. If you want to befriend your cat, then you should be careful and think things through beforehand. Impulse buying is to be avoided!

Do you want to welcome a second cat? These few tips can help you achieve good socialization!

The most important thing is that there are enough resources available so that your cats don’t become brawlers. This means that each cat must have its food or its own resting space to avoid a competitive situation. Each cat should even have a large litter box that is always clean.

Do not forget to take into account the opinion of your family! Are all of your family members willing to adopt a second cat?

If you want two cats to live together, each feline will need the following accessories or elements:

• Hasbowl is placed in a quiet place, where he can eat without being disturbed
• Freshwater is always available
• Clean litter, accessible day and night
• The possibility of scratching on a scratching tower
• A place to rest, like a basket for sleeping and napping
• The possibility of letting off steam with a cat toy
• Human touch

The character of cats

Are all these conditions met? Perfect! You can now welcome a second cat or why not, a third cat!

Generally the motto “ birds of a feather flock together ” is also valid for cats. Calm cats will quickly become annoyed by active cats. On the other hand, lively cats will find more complicity with cats of the same character. Of course, there are exceptions. Aggressive or poorly socialized cats will not be in tune with their fellow cats, especially if they are also aggressive or not very confident!

If you are looking for a companion for your cat who is quite calm, then choose one that exhibits the same traits. This will make it easier to make two cats that look alike live together. Active animals like to have a companion who plays and lets off steam with them!

The age of cats

Cats are very lively when young. They like to be solicited and get bored quickly. Most even end up having crazy ideas… Young cats are more flexible than their older counterparts. They also relate more easily to other cats and it is easier for them to socialize than older animals. Do you want to adopt a second cat? So think about it!

Older cats have an assertive and calm character. An older and calmer kitty will be able to get used to a cat of the same character much more quickly than an excited kitten. Please take into account that cats are animals that have their habits. If your cat has been living alone with you for more than ten years and shows no desire to welcome a second cat, then the arrival of a new feline may cause him more stress than joy…

Adopting a second cat of the same breed?

Let’s come to the question of race. Of course, you shouldn’t choose your next cat based on aesthetic criteria alone. However, cats of the same breed show very similar characters, especially when they come from the same breeder or family. Adopting your cat’s siblings is probably the smartest option. They have similar characters and grew up in the same environment. There is no better way to achieve a good cohabitation between cats!

If you decide to foster your cat’s sister or cousin, however, consider them two stranger cats. It’s true, the fact of belonging to the same breed and having a family link facilitates socialization, but for the rest, it is not certain that these animals get along wonderfully!