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MULTI-CAT HOUSEHOLDS - THE PROS AND
CONS
I want to get a cat but someone told me I should get two
together – is this true?
Cats were once considered to be solitary creatures but,
while there are some solitary aspects to their behavioural
patterns, we now know that, although there may be individual
differences, they are in fact social animals who benefit
from interaction with their own and other species. As a
result of this knowledge there has been a move to promote
ownership of more than one cat, and in particular to
encourage owners to take on two cats at the same time. This
can be beneficial as the cats play together and provide each
other with both physical and mental stimulation. However, it
is important to have an understanding of feline society if
you are to take on two or more cats successfully.
If I am going to adopt two kittens at the same time,
should I get them from the same litter?
Basically cats are family-oriented creatures that commonly
live with their relatives. They are not very tolerant of
outsiders and are less likely to cohabit harmoniously with a
cat that they are not related to. For this reason the best
combination of cats is actually littermates and if you are
taking on more than one kitten it is certainly better to
consider taking on two from the same litter. If you are not
able to locate two littermates you can raise young kittens
from different litters, provided that you take them on at a
very early age, preferably before they are seven weeks old.
Adopting two slightly older kittens may work out, but the
general rule is that the younger the kittens are when
brought together, the more easily they will accept each
other as part of their social group.
If I already have a single cat, should I consider getting
another cat to keep it company?
If your cat is an adult and is established within your home
as the only cat, then you should think carefully about
introducing another feline. The majority of cats are hostile
to other felines, if they are not related, and there is
certainly no guarantee that your cat will thank you for its
new playmate. However, some cats, if they have been
sufficiently socialized to other cats or are particularly
sociable (genetically) do benefit enormously from feline
company. Therefore, the decision has to be made on a
case-by-case basis. If your cat has been seen in the company
of other cats without excessive fear or aggression, it may
be possible to integrate a new cat into the household.
However, in cases where your cat shows hostility to other
cats, or hisses, growls, or marks territory if they enter
your yard or garden, then obtaining another cat would not be
advisable!
Keep in mind that relationships in cats are usually between
pairs of cats. Just because your cat liked one cat, it may
not mean that he will accept another. Some cats are
naturally easy-going and friendly; others are timid and shy;
still others are very assertive and active. Those
differences in personality can have a profound effect on how
two cats may get along. An easy-going cat may accept most
other cats, while a timid and shy cat may be reluctant to
accept another cat, depending on the new cat’s personality.
An active and assertive cat may overwhelm quieter and more
timid cats, making introductions difficult. Although, at
first the existing housecat(s) may be more likely to have a
problem with the new addition to the household, you might
later find that it is the new cat that cannot adapt to the
new home or the other cats in the home. Attempting to match
personality types may be useful when seeking out another
companion for your cat.
If my cat was raised with its littermate from an early
age but has now been left on its own, due to the death of
its brother or sister, should I go and get another cat as a
replacement companion?
The bond between feline littermates is very special and when
one of a pair dies before the other it is not uncommon for
the remaining individual to show classic signs of feline
grief. These include behaviors such as vocalization and
searching for the missing sibling, as well as changes in
basic behaviours such as feeding and seeking social
interaction with owners. This grieving process is very
variable in its duration, but it is not uncommon for it to
last for months. While it is in progress, it is generally
not advisable to take on another cat. Indeed, hostility
toward another cat that is introduced when the resident cat
is fearful, anxious, depressed or in ill health can be very
intense and the likelihood of ultimate integration between
the cats is very slim. Once the grieving process has passed
and the cat has come to terms with the loss of its sibling,
it may be possible to integrate a new housemate. But, you
need to realise that any bond that is established between
your cat and a newcomer will never be as strong as the one
that existed between the original littermates. In fact, even
if your cat has had a very close relationship to a previous
cat, a new cat may not be welcomed into the household.
I have decided to take on another cat. I would like to
know what age and what sex might be most acceptable to my
resident adult cat?
Although it is generally accepted that related cats make the
most compatible housemates, there is a distinct lack of
information about the relative compatibility of unrelated
cats. Therefore, it is difficult to give guidance. One piece
of research carried out in Switzerland did show that adult
cats are more likely to accept the introduction of a younger
individual than one of the same age or older, so it would
probably be sensible to think about a kitten or a young
adult for the new addition to your family. If you do need to
take on an adult cat, the same research suggested that an
adult of the opposite sex was more likely to be accepted and
that, in cases of same-sex pairs, two males were slightly
more likely to be compatible than two females.
I have just taken on a second cat and I want to maximise
the chance of successful integration. What should I do?
Cats are territorial animals and when you are introducing a
second feline you need to remember that they need to
establish their own space within the home. It might be best
therefore to provide the new cat with a separate housing
area and slowly integrate the cats during times when they
are likely to be occupied, distracted or enjoying themselves
(such as feeding, play or treat times). Key resources such
as food, shelter and social interaction need to be available
in sufficient amounts to ensure that there is no unnecessary
conflict. It is sensible to space these resources around the
home to minimise the need to share them directly. Increasing
the amount of available space within the home can be
achieved by making use of three dimensional features of the
house by adding furniture, shelving and aerobic centres
which allow the cats to make use of vertical as well as
horizontal space. If problems arise, an extended period of
separation followed by a very gradual re-introduction,
perhaps accompanied by the use of pheromones and/or drugs,
might need to be considered. Further advice is contained in
the handout entitled “Introducing a New Cat to the
Household”
Is it cruel to keep a cat as a single pet?
Although cats are social creatures, they are ultimately
solitary survivors. As a result, we assume they have no
fundamental need for social company. This means that cats
can live alone perfectly happily, and, provided that they
have sufficient supply of safe territory, food, shelter and
affection from their owners, they will survive very well.
This does not mean that they would not benefit from the
presence of another cat, especially a littermate or other
relative, but it does mean that cats who are used to living
alone are not likely to be suffering as a result. |
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