Do cats need a friend?

[GSD20]

We had two cats. Both boys who were best friends, cuddled and slept together. Sadly one vainished/presumed died around 10 months ago. The remaining cat is middle aged, the other was younger. Hes always lived with another cat, at one point we had 4 but now down to just him.

Since then his friend has been okay, mostly potters around the garden keeping the mice population from exploding and sleeping on our beds. He seem fine, no negative behaviours. He sometimes unsuccessfully tries to get the dog to play with him but doesn’t really bother with us other than to request food.

I was thinking about getting another younger cat to keep him company (and to help with the mice- we live very rurally with outside pets and there’s millions of the buggers in everything!) Im a little worried it would upset the balance though. Do cats need friends? Can they be happy solitary?

I'm feeling a bit short changed by the kitten, tbh. It loves the other cat. He's totally in love with the kids (teens)- full on wants to crawl inside them; follows them round.... tolerates dh and me.

But guess what kitty? Kids will leave home in a few years and you'll be stuck with us!

Am aware I have not followed the rules and not posted a picture.
The kitten.

My cats hated each other, the older one never forgave me for getting another kitten and bullied her all the time.

He sadly died and the younger cat was dramatically happier and more relaxed.

I personally think cats are happier on their own unless they're siblings or related and have always been together.

My aunt lives on a farm and has constant influx of strays. They brought their own cat in with them when they moved to the farm 2 years ago. This cat is a rescue and is pretty fond of dogs (we think she was a street cat that somehow shacked up with a pack of stray/farm dogs). Out of three stray cats that wondered into their farm, the old cat only semi-accepted one who later got hit by a car. Stray number two is a recluse and the old cat is quite aggressive both to her and her kitten. Stray two also isn’t fond of the old cat.
I previously had a cat walk off when we adopted another. They never got along, he started staying outside later and later and one day didn’t come home.

I have 8 cats of various ages had no problems introducing kittens or older rescue cats, in fact my latest kitten makes it his priority to snuggle up to whichever cat he finds asleep . Pet cats are not the greatest of mouse / rat killers they are to well fed by their owners , you need a small terrier for that . If raised from a puppy I've always found cats and dogs will get along . I presently have a corgi with the cats

Thankyou everyone!

We are currently fostering a 6 week old kitten from a charity over Christmas with a view to him staying if he slots in.

Current cat was a bit huffed but seems to be settling down now, they are sniffing noses and sitting near eachother. Obviously the kitten is very young at the moment though.

We already have enough dogs so no more of those 😄 Current cat is an amazing mouser, this kitten doesn’t seem to possess any abilities at the moment other than sleeping and cuddling, good job he’s very cute!

Most of my cats are not friends but do tolerate each other.

I have two brothers, they are not particularly affectionate to each other but no fighting.

I did have two that bonded as adults and they used to sleep together.

Also gained 3 unrelated kittens last year within a 2 week timeframe, they are very bonded.

Our house is constantly revolving with cats in and out, never had any scrapping between them.

People plonk a new kitten down in front of older cat and expect them to be best friends, it takes time.

This is how we've always done introductions (obviously heavily supervised) and it's never been an issue. Our recent addition came to us on a Thursday night - by Saturday morning our notoriously grumpy 8yo was licking him and showing him around the house

I know it's recommended to do really slow intros but to me that seems like the best way to stress a cat out - knowing there's a stranger in their home and on their property but never being able to see or spend any time with them must be quite unnerving.

In the wild it's only lions that live in packs. We kind of make them live together. I don't think cats NEED another cat but some will live with others.

But feral cats also form loose colonies and live in groups when left to their own devices. The difference is they have more space and resources than is available in your average home.