The infographic BELOW is an answer to the question: Are two cats better than one? It summarises the issues from my perspective. The key points to think about and which dictate the answer are:
- Despite 10,000 years of domestication the cat remains essentially solitary because it is hard-wired into their DNA as inherited from their wildcat ancestor. So domestic cats can be sociable but it goes against the grain somewhat. Despite that there are some wonderful examples of cats being friendly with each other and with dogs. Great to see but the outcome is unpredictable as stated in the infographic. Anecdotally, male cats are more prone to getting along with each other than female cats getting along with others. I agree with Rena’s comment below.
- Domestic cats have a home range; their territory. This is a vital factor in adding a cat to a resident cat’s space. Cats like their space as do people.
- It is slightly strange for me that many cat owners believe that they can introduce a completely strange cat into the home of a resident cat and expect harmony when they themselves would never countenance the idea of allowing a complete stranger to march into their home and live there with them. This would result in chaos and huge distress almost all the time. And humans are far more sociable than domestic cats!
There are many multi-cat homes and many stressed cats in these homes. I think Dr. Claude Béata sums up the problem nicely in The Times newspaper when he says:
I am much more in demand as a vet for cats who cannot stand living together than for cats who find being the only one in the house onerous.
And I suspect that the only time that a domestic cat finds it difficult being the only cat in a home is because their caregiver is away too much. There will no unhappy ‘single cats’ in homes if the caregiver ensures that the home is feline friendly and she/he is at home a lot, which is far more likely these days with WFH (work from home) policies dominating.
Infographic on “Are two cats better than one?” by Michael BroadThe only way to find out if cats will get along is to ‘suck and see’ which is unacceptable as what do you do when it goes wrong? You take the new cat back to where? The shelter and admit failure? The breeder? Not possible? Sell the cat? It is all a mess.
Adding a new cat to the home where there is a single cat is a risky business. It can work brilliantly but it is more likely to be a problem with a slow rather reluctant acceptance of the new cat by the resident cat which is not the kind of outcome that you want. Why upset a resident cat who has been content for years because you want another cat?
These are my views. Others have different ideas and experiences. Please share them in a comment as they are most welcome. Thanks.
More: Sight not smell of another cat’s feces in litter tray of multi-cat home is off-putting
Out of the 7 male cats that have lived with me over the years, 6 managed to bond wonderfully with another male cat. One of the 7 cats was a bit of a prima donna and never quite formed such a bond, although he certainly tolerated the other male cats. The only trouble I’ve ever encountered was when I made the terrible mistake of introducing an adult female into the mix. She could not be in the same room as the other cats, because she would make a beeline to bite them. I felt the situation could not be resolved and was totally unfair for my 2 terrorized male cats, so I relocated the female cat to a good home in which she would be the ONLY cat.
Based on my experience (which may certainly not be true for everyone), I’ve wondered if neutered male cats are more likely to form bonds with each other.
I feel there are so many benefits to having bonded cats. They keep each other in shape with their non-violent play and chasing. When it’s cold they can warm each other by snuggling. When I’m not around they keep each other company. The one downside is they can truly get depressed when their best friend passes on.
I like your comment Rena. The point about male cats getting on with other male cats is something that I have read about before. And the same goes for some female cats becoming a bit fractious and difficult. It is said that male cats can be more friendly than female cats and ginger tabby male cats particularly can be more friendly. This is anecdotal for me but there might be some research on that.
It is interesting to note that six of the seven male cats who you have lived with have got on. That’s a high percentage although a small sample. But I think it’s a good example. It’s a good comment as I said and I’m very pleased that you made it. I think I will add the point you make about male cats to the article and even amend the Infographic slightly to include it. Thanks once again.
I was aware of this but when you write articles add on’s memory in this article and Infographic essentially comes from my memory, you can forget stuff particularly when you’re old like me!
I suppose the next point to discuss is WHY? Why are male cats more friendly than female cats if that is the case across all domestic cats which I suspect it is based upon my readings. It was about character ultimately and personality but what is it behind this? What is the evolutionary context. That’s the discussion point here I would suggest.