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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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

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:

Thread gallery

pussycatinboots · 08/12/2020 07:13

Charlie and Tilly 😻 Bro and Sis. Initially, we were going to have just her, but I didn't have the heart to leave the tiny frightened ginger scrap behind. So glad we kept them together.

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

Bluesheep8 · 08/12/2020 07:23

Ive only had one cat at a time (both rescue adult cats)
Each HATED other cats, fights/territorial behaviour/cystitis brought on by stress - yes really! I've got one adult male now and am convinced if we got another he would just leave home so not willing to take the risk.

GiraffeNecked · 08/12/2020 07:28

Twice got 2 kittens. Both times they were great as kittens together. Nut as they gre up first pair just started to ignore each other.

Second set, one brother actively bullying the other. We were thinking of rehoming one when the bully was run over. The other cat blossomed and turned into a confident incredible single cat.

Who has now coped amazingly well with the recent arrival of a puppy.

MindThatTree · 08/12/2020 07:29

Eight cats here. Two are from the same litter, three from another, and three singletons. All rescue kittens. All of them get along with at least three others if not more. All of them have one cat they don’t get along with. But they are calm and happy and only very occasionally do we get fur flying.

JacobReesMogadishu · 08/12/2020 07:31

I have two cats and the older one hates the younger one.

Only have one dog and my dog is best friends with the younger cat. Younger cat is a house cat and him and the dog follow each other about, sit together, sleep together, wrestle like a couple of puppies. They’re so cute. I’m glad my dog has a friend. Used to have two dogs and never again! Walking was a pain.

moonpig23 · 08/12/2020 07:38

I would love another cat but I know my cat wouldn't like it. She is used to ruling the roost and having all my time. She is a rescue from a multicat household she was only 9 months when I got her and her previous owners already had 6 cats. She was bullied and kept from eating etc I would never want to subject her to that again.

Bettysnow · 08/12/2020 07:44

Years ago i got another cat stupidly thinking that it would be company for the one i had. Disaster! They couldn't stand each other however both loved my two dogs strangely. I have one now and no intention of getting another

LaceyBetty · 08/12/2020 11:19

Any thoughts on being able to assess the temperament of a cat such that it would be more or less likely to accept a new kitten? We have a 6 month old cat who seems very easy going and we would like to get another one, but don't' know if we should rock the boat!

Stompythedinosaur · 08/12/2020 11:28

Lacey we found a feliway multicat plug in very helpful in introducing cats. It releases the same hormone a mother cat does to bond siblings. We used it for around a month and it worked a treat.

DynamoKev · 08/12/2020 11:47

We had two cats - the rescue place claimed they were sisters but they absolutely loathed each other. When one died the other was much calmer.

Anordinarymum · 08/12/2020 11:49

I have three Siamese. A mother and son and another one unrelated. They all fight and squabble but sit together at the food dish and the mother and son sleep together with the other one being in the bed under the covers with me.
My house is an asylum

YoniAndGuy · 08/12/2020 11:50

Yep, cats prefer their own patch.

LaceyBetty · 08/12/2020 11:51

@Stompythedinosaur

Lacey we found a feliway multicat plug in very helpful in introducing cats. It releases the same hormone a mother cat does to bond siblings. We used it for around a month and it worked a treat.

Thanks!

Prestel · 08/12/2020 12:06

@LaceyBetty At 6 months your current cat should easily adapt to another cat, either another kitten or a rescue that has a history of getting on with other cats. Once a cat gets to around 2 years old without having lived with another cat, though, it will be more established as a lone cat and may never accept company. So if you want to be a multicat household in the future, it would be a good idea to introduce a second cat now, rather than wait.

steppemum · 08/12/2020 13:05

LaceyBetty
Take care to introduce them slowly,.
I would make one room no go for your current cat for a while, and then make that room the base for your new cat.
Allow them to meet away from food and litter trays and with space to retreat.
Don;t rush it, ideally sleep away from each other for a few nights until they are OK together

Leonberger · 08/12/2020 13:09

My two cats of the same age sleep together but they both hate the older cat who moved in last year. We live rurally and we think she was dumped and so kept feeding her. She prefers her own space to them. They are very territorial!

I do think dogs need to be in multiples though. Mine are so much happier with someone to play and walk with so I wouldn’t ever have another single dog again!

Alicatz66 · 09/12/2020 14:38

@moonpig23 .. my old cat was a rescue from a cat hoarder who had 26 cats ! ... she hated other cats and was a happy only child for 13 years !

goose1964 · 09/12/2020 14:47

We've had cats, mainly siblings, we did have two that weren't because one went totally when her sister died so we got a kitten to see if it helped, she adopted him and they were often seen cuddling up together, she also tried to adopt the kitten down the road. It wasn't unusual to see half a dozen cats in our garden all seemingly getting on.

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