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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask why people think you should have two cats together...

93 replies

Emma8899 · 07/12/2020 19:58

...but no one says the same about dogs, when dogs are pack animals and crave company, and cats are independent and fairly solitary?

Other than ‘a sibling to play with’, is it actually any better for a cat to live with another cat?

I’ve always either had one cat, or two adult cats who have totally ignored each other. They are not like dogs. Dogs crave social interaction so I can totally see that having two dogs is kind and more how they would live in the wild.

We currently have one cat and I have never once felt that she would have been better off if we had adopted a sibling or another kitten as well. She is really bonded to us, she entertains herself in the house and the garden and occasionally chases off neighbouring cats Grin

However, when we got her I felt quite judged that we weren’t getting two - MIL even suggested it was cruel only getting one cat.

Whereas I know so many people who have had puppies and no one ever says ‘are you getting two? It’s kinder!’

Is it just the expense? That cats are generally cheaper and not as high maintenance? If so, it’s not really about the cat’s welfare is it?

I totally get that two kittens from the same litter will sleep together as that’s what they’re used to - but it doesn’t mean it’s cruel to have a solitary cat?

Just me??

OP posts:
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Clonmel · 07/12/2020 20:01

I have 3 at the moment, they tolerate each other. Generally cats are solitary.

HitthatroadJack · 07/12/2020 20:03

plenty of people say that about dogs!
It's just harder and more commitment to have 2 than having 2 cats.

Original poster
Emma8899 · 07/12/2020 20:03

@Clonmel

I have 3 at the moment, they tolerate each other. Generally cats are solitary.
Tolerate is a good word for it! That’s always been my experience too. They’ve been ‘ok’ together but certainty wouldn’t have a lacking life if one of them wasn’t there!!
OP posts:
Santaisironingwrappingpaper · 07/12/2020 20:04

I had 2 dbros from 8 weeks old. Never apart. Slept /ate /played /roamed our neighbourhood together for 8 years.
1 died in April. Dcat has been stressed and miserable... Got a dkitten 2 weeks ago and he is playing with and washing her already. Amazing to see him transformed...
I had 1 grumpy ddog for 2 years before getting a dpuppy. She selectively bothered with it!!
Sadly ddog also died this year. We still have 4 ddogs who get on fabulously.
1 very obviously missed her. 2 don't... I guess it's like a human family. Some are loved /missed /appreciated more than others (regardless of species).
Imo!!

FestiveChristmasLights · 07/12/2020 20:05

Of course you should get two dogs but practically (dog training, socialising, financially etc) it’s often not feasible.

vanillandhoney · 07/12/2020 20:05

I don't think people say you should get adult cats together, do they? I've certainly never heard it.

People do say that you should get kittens in pairs and I largely agree with it - it gives them someone to play with/company, and means they generally take their energy out on each other and not on your furniture or your curtains Grin

You can't compare cats and dogs. Dogs are a LOT of work. If you get two puppies together, everything has to be done separately - feeding, toilet training, walks, training classes. Not so with cats who don't need anything like that level of interaction.

Two puppies together can also result in a lot of behavioural problems (look up littermate syndrome) - whereas this doesn't occur with two kitten siblings.

Original poster
Emma8899 · 07/12/2020 20:06

I know most rescue centres like to rehome two at once but cynically, is that just because they are able to rehome more kittens that way, rather than it being as nature intended?

In ‘the wild’ I don’t think litter siblings would live together forever, would they?

OP posts:
Original poster
Emma8899 · 07/12/2020 20:07

@vanillandhoney

I don't think people say you should get adult cats together, do they? I've certainly never heard it.

People do say that you should get kittens in pairs and I largely agree with it - it gives them someone to play with/company, and means they generally take their energy out on each other and not on your furniture or your curtains Grin

You can't compare cats and dogs. Dogs are a LOT of work. If you get two puppies together, everything has to be done separately - feeding, toilet training, walks, training classes. Not so with cats who don't need anything like that level of interaction.

Two puppies together can also result in a lot of behavioural problems (look up littermate syndrome) - whereas this doesn't occur with two kitten siblings.

Sorry I did mean getting two kittens together primarily - we got ours as a kitten, on her own!
OP posts:
Gncq · 07/12/2020 20:07

Dogs are pack animals but they see their owners and the family around them as their "pack" don't they. They're loyal to their humans and that fulfills their pack instinct.

Two cats together is the bestest thing ever when you get them as kittens from the same litter. They play like anything and cuddle up together and it's so lovely. But cats from separate families is rubbish, they just feel intimidated and stressed by the presence of the other cat/s.

swampytiggaa · 07/12/2020 20:07

I have 3 sister cats. Never been apart. Absolutely adore each other groom each other sleep together chase each other and fight regularly. They also gang up on me and are working out which doors they can open as a joint venture 😂😂

They are also very cuddly and affectionate with us placid and easy going. For us 3 was the perfect number 💕

speakout · 07/12/2020 20:08

I have owned loats of cats- they mostly hate each other.

Dogs love ech others company generally.

TenShortStories · 07/12/2020 20:08

I think as rule that has many exceptions, dogs tend to interact more with their owners so get their social needs met in that way. A lot of cats aren't fussed about spending much time with people so I suppose another cat would provide them companionship. But it's all in theory because each cat/dog's personality dictates how it act plays out.

vanillandhoney · 07/12/2020 20:09

@Emma8899

I know most rescue centres like to rehome two at once but cynically, is that just because they are able to rehome more kittens that way, rather than it being as nature intended?

In ‘the wild’ I don’t think litter siblings would live together forever, would they?

No - it's for good reason. Kittens should really be re-homed in pairs - it gives them reassurance, company and a playmate. Two adult cats are a different scenario and may not always get along.

That said, we have three cats (aged 5, 4 and 7 months), none of them related, two male and one female and they all get alone just fine.

Worriedandabitscared · 07/12/2020 20:09

I have five cats and they're all different.

Salem and Penny prefer to be on their own and will seek out places to sleep, sometimes Penny will lie with the others but Salem never will.

Harley is obsessed with Georgie and never leaves his side Grin

Charlie and Georgie prefer human contact and cuddles but will tolerate lying with the other cats if they have to.

Georgie even goes as far as lying next to the dog if it means he can lie with you too GrinGrinGrin

It's strange how much personality animals have.

Gncq · 07/12/2020 20:09

In ‘the wild’ I don’t think litter siblings would live together forever, would they?

Yes. Farm cats have a very strong bond so long as their blood related. They teach each other a lot and rely on each other.

swampytiggaa · 07/12/2020 20:09

The idiot sisters when they were little 💕

To ask why people think you should have two cats together...
swampytiggaa · 07/12/2020 20:10

With a picture this time 😂😂

To ask why people think you should have two cats together...
Iremembertheelderlykoreanlady · 07/12/2020 20:11

We went with the one cat, one dog 🤷‍♀️ easier than 2 dogs and from the sounds of this thread they get on better than 2 cats would

Branleuse · 07/12/2020 20:11

its generally a bad idea to get two puppies at the same time. It can cause aggression and behavioural issues and make them much harder to train. Its called littermate syndrome. You want a puppy to bond with its people more than its sibling. An older dog and a puppy is different.

its completely different with cats. Two cats is no more work than one, and sometimes less work as they entertain each other. Its especially a good idea if they are house cats or you work full time

ScalpHelp · 07/12/2020 20:12

Maybe it’s because cats are easier to care for than dogs.

2 dogs at the same time may cause issues, from littermate syndrome to generally just being more messy/hectic. Whereas cats are pretty chill in comparison - you’d practically have to give up work to raise two puppies together properly!

GoldfishParade · 07/12/2020 20:13

I got two because I heard it was better. They got on okay, but they weren't BFFs. Sometimes they would groom each other which was so sweet (they weren't related).

However when my male cat died, the difference was incredible. The female cat who had always been known as the quieter, lower key, more discreet one exploded out of her shell. She has now become a proper bossy little madam.

I hadn't realised how even without overt aggression, the male cat dominated and she had to dial back and kind of defer to him. I think there are always power dynamics and one cat (the submissive one) will always slightly miss out as a result, even if it's not blatantly apparent to us.

malificent7 · 07/12/2020 20:15

I got two sisters as kittens...one of them bullied the other out. We now have 1 cat after rehoming the terrorised suster. Yanbu.

Clonmel · 07/12/2020 20:17

Love the trio @swampytiggaa, very cute. Don’t think I could get a pick of my trio together (unrelated adults).

EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 07/12/2020 20:18

It's possibly because people will often have cats when they are out a lot of the time, wouldn't leave a dog, but have a cat because they are more self sufficient.
Just don't try telling my 8 year old prima donna that she would like a feline companion - I assure you that she would not - DEFINITELY WOULD NOT!

I was once a socialising volunteer with a cat rescue charity - we had two hard to adopt cats that had come from the same home - they were older, and quite feisty. I pointed out that they were feisty because they didn't get on with each other; when not being grouchy with each other, one would sit in the outdoor part of the pen, the other indoors with occasional swaps.
Split them up - both were completely different to when they'd behaved shoved together in a small space, both went to new homes within a couple of weeks.

swampytiggaa · 07/12/2020 20:19

@Clonmel

Love the trio *@swampytiggaa*, very cute. Don’t think I could get a pick of my trio together (unrelated adults).
This was taken at the vets when they went to be spayed 🙂
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