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

[Emma8899]

...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

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??

In my experience cats are solitary, I would never suggest two would be better for the sake of the cats...
Dogs are also fine alone but I disagree with them being left alone for long periods of time.

Depends on the cat. I've had cats who tolerated - just - another cat, and I've had cats who loved having a friend, would cuddle up together and groom each other (and would pine for days when one died which was distressing.)

In my experience, neutered toms are most likely to like a friend.

@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?

I don't know why people think that cats are solitary animals.

In the wild they live in familiar groups.

Feral cats for example primarily live in colonies.

Sexually mature males are more likely to be solitary as they will tend to range looking for females in heat.

@yeOldeTrout

wtaf, people read 'literature' before getting cats? And I thought MN took dog-ownership too seriously.

Problem with double dogs is many people can't safely walk 2 large dogs at same time. There's a local guy who spends ~ 2 hours/day walking his 2 German Shepherds; the dogs look calm & docile to me but he doesn't feel he can walk them together. And even 2 small dogs can be a challenge to walk together when they want to go in opposite directions at poo-picking time. 2-5 cats is hardly any more daily maintenance & care than 1 cat, though.

Of course. Isn't that what you do when you decide to commit to a pet for the next 10-15+ years?

@GrolliffetheDragon

Depends on the cat. I've had cats who tolerated - just - another cat, and I've had cats who loved having a friend, would cuddle up together and groom each other (and would pine for days when one died which was distressing.)

In my experience, neutered toms are most likely to like a friend.

This.

Between family pets growing up, my own cats and foster cats. I've had 30+ cats.

Neutered toms have always been the soppy ones who'd be friends with anyone (cat, dog, chicken, human).

I have four cats. The two oldest are sisters who completely adore each other. When introducing the other two new cats as kittens (about two years apart), nothing gave the kittens more enrichment than the other cats. They loved playing with them and copying them. Now they’re all older they snuggle and wash each other. I’d never ever have a solitary cat, they must get so bored.

My cats are 9 and 2, not siblings. It was love at first sight and they sleep all entwined and groom each other all day, every day. It's ridiculous and brilliant to see.

Our cat was fine alone with us, but he had plenty of mates out and about. He’d bring one over for dinner sometimes.

@tallduckandhandsome

Our cat was fine alone with us, but he had plenty of mates out and about. He’d bring one over for dinner sometimes.

This makes me so happy.

We have friends who have a group of cats wait on the windowsill each night for their cat, then they all run off together.

@JorisBonson adorable!

I started with 1 kitten but he so obviously wanted a playmate - it was actually the vet who suggested we get another kitten. They were 2.5 months apart in age and they loved each other. They'd sleep snuggled up and would often be chilling touching each others paw. Sadly the youngest had to be put down when he was 6. Our remaining cat was very down for a while.

I have one cat .. and had one cat before him .. I once had 2 girls from the same litter and they didn't get on at all .. one would bully the other. My boy is fine and there are 2 cats next door he has to muck about with ! .. I think I would get 2 kittens but I prefer adult cats anyway as they get overlooked at rescues sometimes

Yanbu. In the wild cats don't generally share territory.

Farm cats dont count as they are not truly wild, more semi feral.

Cats are perfectly happy living alone.

My cats have an 8 year age gap and love each other. I did have my oldest cats brother but he died. They were so close he would follow he around.

Her around

We've always had two dogs at a time because I strongly believe that dogs do best if they have the company of their own kind. Our two spaniels are very bonded, they play together and you can see there's some sort of doggy body language going on between them that humans can only guess at.

We had two cats until the older one died. They tolerated each other but were usually in different rooms. Now we only have one he's a different cat, has really come out of his shell and is loud! He gets on brilliantly with the dogs, and is clearly much happier without having to share his territory with another cat.

I think the solitary thing is a bit misleading for cats.

My cats have always really enjoyed company. If I went away for a weekend, they demanded loads of attention when I got back.

I think cats together can be a real gamble unless they are litter mates. My Mum's cat just died. We got her as a kitten 17 years ago with another kitten from another litter. They seemedfine together, until the boy diedn about 4 years ago. Then the girl blossomed, and became a much more friendly, sociable and generally happier cat.

The pack thing for dogs is interesting too, as I think 2 dogs get just as distressed when left alone as a single dog. Having company of another dog doesn't seem to help, they see the people more as their pack than the pther dogs. They can wind each other up too.

I've never heard that about cats, but certainly have about dogs. In fact I thought the saying was: what do dogs want more than anything? Another dog.

When I was a kid people thought of cats as solitary, but we now know that they are social and are happier with other cats to interact with.

Dogs bond with humans in a way cats don't so manage better with only humans for company.

This seems like a justifiable reason for posting a cat photo.

We adopted these two middle-aged cats this summer. Not genetically related to each other, but have lived together since they were young. The male on the right was about 8-9 months old when the female on the left joined the family as a young kitten. They curl up together most nights.

dogs are pack animals but see their owners and the family around them as their pack

This sums it up really. Domesticated dogs prefer the company of their humans to that of other dogs. Their humans provide them with love, companionship, protection, and most importantly- food! They completely rely on us. Like babies, but worse 😁

I think it depends on the cat. Some prefer company, others are solitary. I seem to find cats tend to lean more on the solitary side but not all. It’s often down to how they were brought up in the first year of life.

Ferals will often form communities with other ferals and share the responsibilities of rearing kittens.

I have 2 cats. Different litters. 10 months between them. They are soulmates! Won't go anywhere unless they're together. However, my cats also enjoy human interaction and will specifically seek us out to play/cuddle etc.

We have a dog too. Dogs consider humans as.part of their pack whereas cats don't.

I have seven cats and they have formed an interesting social group that reflects their personalities. Two are never apart, and when one wet missing recent!y the other almost died with stress cystitis and a bladder blockage. The rest have likes and dislikes, but all rub along quite happily. There is one cat they all seem to really like though! I believe Jackson Galaxy says that cats are actually social animals contrary to popular belief. I also have two dogs who cope okay without each other, I expect its because they look to their humans more.