Should I get another cat - advice please!

[Normaknowall]

Sorry this so long:
His Catness is a healthy 3 year old neutered boy. Goes outside and is a good mouser.

He has access to outside all day, usually home late evening and try not to let him out all night.

We are out at work during the day, usually someone in most evenings and weekends we are out some of the day, but we do try to play with him(he doesn't want to for long) once or twice a day and I also spend 20mins brushing him and talking to him at night.

He's recently discovered 2 cats that live in flats nearby who don't get out - so sits and 'sings' outside their windows every day for a coup,e of mins each time. Owner of 1 isn't bothered, said her cat likes the company! Haven't caught up with other owners.

Question is - is he lonely do you think? He seems happy enough but all this time spent haunting the indoor cats made me wonder if he was looking for some companionship and maybe we should get another cat? My only concern is that it is a lottery if they get on, and I don t want him to be made miserable if he isn't!

[ArchieHarrison]

You should get another cat! a younger female would fall under him in the pecking order so he should get used it; whether they get on though - I wish someone could tell me if there's a magic formula to it

[steppemum]

He's is probably just being sociable.
I have always had cats and worked, and they don't seem to get lonely. But when I go away, and someone comes in to feed them, then they do get lonely and are really pleased to see me when they get back.

Cats are by nature solitary. Having 2 cats tends to work best if they are from the same litter.
You could get another one and they don't get on!

My mum had 2 lovely cats, got at the same time as kittens from 2 different litters. When one died, the other one, then 12 years old really came to life. It was as if she had spent her whole life being wary of the other one, but it didn't show until the other one was gone.

[Toddlerteaplease]

I took a risk getting another cat when Fatty died. It worked out brilliantly. For the first time Snorg is queen bee and keeps Cheddar in check. She's absolutely blossomed, Cheddar has taught her how to 'cat'

[Gingerkittykat]

I got a kitten to keep my older cat company. He instantly loved him, allowed him to suckle even. He still loves him and makes his happy little noises when he enters the room.

Younger cat is no longer so keen on the older one, tolerates his presence but is prone to hissing at him. He is massively territorial, there is no way he would ever tolerate a new cat coming into the house.

Given your baby is friendly with strange cats I would try getting him a friend, I would probably go with a kitten so the pecking order leaves him at the top, male or female would make no difference as long as they would both be neutered. Read all about how to introduce them slowly and it should be fine.

[Grumpyoldpersonwithcats]

Get two kittens - then if big cat doesn't like them they'll have each other to play with .

[Toddlerteaplease]

These are my non related cats.