When left to their own devices, some cats will not develop close relationships with other cats. Cats do not socialize in packs or live in family groups (usually). Therefore, there is no problem having only one cat. Some daily human interaction is all your feline typically needs. Beyond that, most cats don’t mind living without a companion.
However, you should ensure that your feline gets enough enrichment, especially if they are alone for much of the day. There are many ways to enrich your feline beyond adopting another cat. Toys and climbing structures are an excellent place to start.
Furthermore, if you adopt another cat, there is no guarantee that both cats will get along. In fact, a new kitten may only bring stress and anxiety to your older cat. Therefore, we do not recommend adopting another cat solely to be a companion to your older cat. A solo cat is much better off than a feline who’s fearful of their companion.
Do Cats Get Lonely?
Some cats get lonely, especially if they belong to a more social breed. Therefore, it’s vital to ensure your feline gets enough attention before adopting a cat. If you work long hours, your feline may not get the attention they deserve.
A feline without the proper amount of attention can become bored or destructive. When lonely, cats often look for their own enrichment. Sometimes, they’ll tear up the furniture or mark areas with urine. Providing your cat with plenty of attention isn’t just necessary to keep them happy but also to ensure that they remain well-behaved.
If you adopt an affectionate and people-oriented cat, adopting another cat with them won’t necessarily meet your cat’s social needs. However, if you introduce them properly and give them time to get used to each other, they may learn to get along.
How to Tell if a Cat is Lonely?
There are many ways to tell if your cat is lonely. However, some of these signs may also indicate that your feline has separation anxiety. If your cat starts acting up as soon as you leave, they may have separation anxiety. Separation anxiety won’t go away by adopting another cat (usually).
Medication for separation anxiety is helpful in many cases. However, it is only a band-aid that can be used during training. It can have side effects, and you don’t want to use it for an extended period if you can help it.
- Excessive meowing
- Excessive grooming
- Destruction
- Inappropriate marking
- Poor eating
If your cat displays any of these signs, there is likely something strange going on. Two or more may make a good case for loneliness or separation anxiety. However, some can also indicate other conditions. For instance, many cats go through a period of inappropriate marking and destructive behavior around puberty. Poor eating can be a sign of a gastrointestinal problem, and excessive grooming can be anxiety-related.
Breeds Prone to Separation Anxiety and Loneliness
Some cats are specifically bred for their people-oriented nature. However, this can take a turn for the worse if the cat is often left home alone. For instance, Siamese and Burmese are prone to being co-dependent. In other words, they become too attached and anxious when their human leaves. For that reason, we don’t recommend adopting needy breeds if you aren’t home for much of the time.
Furthermore, cats often need to be taught to be alone starting at a young age. You may want to practice separating the cat from humans starting when they are a kitten. Therefore, the cat will grow up understanding that being alone isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
However, having other cats won’t necessarily prevent any of these behaviors. Many cats won’t get along or bond closely enough to relieve anxiety. Relationships with other cats won’t replace their relationship with a person.
Conclusion
Cats are perfectly fine without a companion. They aren’t pack-oriented like dogs. We do not recommend adopting a new cat just so your current one will have a friend. There is nothing to ensure that the two cats will be friends, and a relationship with a cat won’t replace a cat’s relationship with their owner. Therefore, having a second cat won’t necessarily keep either cat from missing you.
Separation anxiety is sometimes lessened by having another cat. However, again, there is nothing to ensure that this happens. In many cases, a cat’s anxiety may simply increase with another cat around.
Featured Image Credit: Kristi Blokhin, Shutterstock
