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Are Two Cats Better Than One?
Cat ownership is a wonderful thing. A furry companion will bring a huge amount of joy and pleasure into your home.
Cat ownership is a wonderful thing. A furry companion will bring a huge amount of joy and pleasure into your home.
But when you are first considering sharing your home with a new cat you may ask yourself:-
’Are two cats better than one?’
Certainly there are advantages to owning a solitary pet. Your new kitten will be the centre of attraction in the family and will happily receive the benefit of your undivided attention. The fun and games that your children will be able to enjoy on a one-to-one basis will be satisfying in the extreme.
Additionally, the cost of owning a solitary cat will be relatively low. It will be much easier to budget for your pet’s food, bedding and veterinary costs than if you owned two animals and the opportunity for conflict between feline house-mates simply won’t arise.
But what about the happiness of your new cat? Will living a solitary life be the kindest option? Wouldn’t having a companion to share life with be better for your pet’s emotional well-being?
A few of the benefits of owning two cats are:
Companionship for each other - particularly if you are out at work all day.
Cats enjoy the social aspects of being together. Feral cats naturally live in groups and are comfortable with group hierarchy.
The best way to ensure compatibility is to give a home to kittens from the same litter.
More pleasure for you!
Naturally, you must consider the other side of the coin. The possible disadvantages of owning more than one cat are:
Higher costs in the form of food, vet bills, equipment, holiday care.
Although cats are sociable animals, not every cat lives comfortably with a companion. Some prefer a solitary life.
A multi-cat household is likely to be at greater risk of behavioral problems.
Cats with feline companions may be happier sharing their own comapny than sharing yours.
Once you have made your decision to adopt one cat or two, you will be well advised to look at a number of possible pets. By seeing a fair number of different cats or kittens, you will get a good idea of which ones have outgoing and affectionate natures and will be able to select just the right animal for your needs.
Armed with this knowledge, you will be better equipped to select a single cat whose personality will suit your family or two cats that are likely to live in harmony together.
Whatever you choice - enjoy the love and affection of your new family members!