Getting a companion cat? Good or bad idea?

[BuckingFrolics]

My rescue cat came from a "family" of 30 ie from a cat hoarder. He's about 4. He and I live alone. He loves to play. He's never hissed or swipes the neighbour cats when they stroll through his garden. He's very "devoted" to me - he invites me to walk round the garden with him, comes to bed and stays there with me all night, comes to the loo with me etc.

I'm thinking a second cat might be lovely for him, if he's missing cat company. I'm also anxious that it might be being a single cat that is rocking his world atm and that he could feel rejected and inadequate if I get a second cat.

I'm scared I might not love the second cat. I'm scared my cat might love her and not be so affectionate to me.

I'm often at home but do want to be able to go away for the odd night, and I know my cat would be lonely if I did a companion who he got on with would ease my guilt in those circumstances.

I don't know what to do. Any advice?

Would you

I'd give another cat a go. But do your research and make sure it's one that is happy with other cats.

Ps. Two cats is brilliant!

Toddler, in what way is two cats brilliant? Serious question not being snide!

Cats, as a general rule, like to be solitary once they reach adulthood. They merely tolerate other cats in the household. And, if you have issues, you'll get behavioural problems. Multiple cat households aren't really recommended and I wouldn't do it

Of course there are exceptions and you'll probably get a flurry of posters telling you that multiple logs is great but I'd proceed with extreme caution. Trust me, he will not be missing a companion so your best hope would be him accepting another one and I wouldn't risk it

Logs?! MOGS

If you do get a second one go for younger and female if possible. Less likely to upset your resident one.

I’ve got a big fat old cat and introduced 2 separate female rescues successfully (one died and I got another). He’s always seemed quite happy with the new additions.

God it's probably the best thing that ever happened to him getting out of that house, why ruin it? I mean, if there was another cat you really wanted to give a home to, then lucky you, you have a cat who will probably tolerate one, but don't do it for him. I'm quite a tolerant person, but I'd be very angry if my cat brought a random human round for me to play with! That's why I have a cat and not a lodger. Lots of cats in your area you say, has your cat ever brought one back? Nope? There's your answer!

Mine liked company but he did bring the neighbour's around to visit and let his girlfriend from next door move in

I've got three brothers this time they stand and fall as a group sleep together in a pile of fur occasionally separate but mostly together

I think if your little one isnt showing any signs of distress and loneliness keep the status quo?

How do you know if a cat is lonely, though?

He whines and fussed for action from me in the evening- fine! - like go outside with him, dreamies, or play. He will go out, come in and miaow, then go out again. I just don't know if he's telling me what's up outside, or if he's bored (that's what it feels like but I may be humanising him) or trying to lure me out for another trip round the local allotment.

Years ago I adopted two "devoted sisters". They hated each other. When one died the other flourished.

But I've also seen pairs that are "devoted".

Argh... I'm rubbish at decisions. I fostered my boy first so knew I had found the best cat in the world and it was no decision at all to keep him.

He sounds perfectly happy just as he is. I wouldn't want to risk upsetting the apple cart by getting another cat, tbh.

I've got 5. One of them hates all the others and makes her displeasure known. The rest are all quite amiable most of the time.

I think he might be happier with just you. Being a 'hoarded' cat may have given him considerable anxiety about being forced into close quarters with other cats. I had one of these years ago and she would absolutely not tolerate other cats in the house...but I used to fret about leaving her on her own during the day. She was fine!
I have two brothers now who are devoted to each other but they were from a small litter and couldn't have been split up.

Years ago I adopted two "devoted sisters". They hated each other. When one died the other flourished.

I had this with my two. They comforted each other when frightened but didn't really get on. When Maia died Magic was lonely though, so I got Cheddar and she has taught Magic how to 'Cat' and Magic has totally come out of her shell and blossomed. She's very protective of Cheddar.

It's not true that cats are solitary - why would feral and stray cats so often hang out in groups when they have the choice to avoid each other if that was so? Cats are territorial however so most of the time it takes them a while to work out their hierarchies in a group situation - but unless they are particularly hostile towards other cats, most will happily learn to share a home and many are far happier in a multicat home (mine are regularly sleeping together and spend time in the same room even when they have plenty of space to choose from if they wanted to avoid each other!).

It sounds like yours is fine with other cats he meets outside so that's a good sign.

I also often think that anyone who can adopt more than one, should do given the huge cat overpopulation issue we have in the UK - there are way too many cats and kittens out there waiting weeks and months in rescues or worse still on the streets...

Ours love having company. Biggie was alone for a few days with no other cats and was very lonely. The other night, Biggie was in the garage and Gatsby got out. (He has since returned.) Jayda was VERY disconcerted and came around crying for attention - and she almost never does that.

Mine have always fought.

My cat Tomas was a loan ranger. Very affectionate, he sounds like yours OP! The vet told me that if I wanted to get him a companion, to get a rabbit not another cat. She said they would get on, and in the end the rabbit would end up ruling the roost. I never did get him a companion, he was fine on his own.