Should You Get a Second Cat for Your Cat?

• Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

Contrary to the popular belief that cats prefer solitude, domestic cats do have social needs. And although they don’t necessarily need to live among other cats, many cats do enjoy the added company.

“Recent studies suggest that domestic cats have undergone evolutionary changes that make them more adaptable to living with other cats, a phenomenon sometimes referred to as social flexibility,” explains Molly DeVoss, certified feline behavior specialist and founder of Cat Behavior Solutions.

So, is it better to have two cats? And more importantly, how will your cat feel with another feline family member in the house? With the help of cat experts, we discuss ways to tell if your cat even wants another cat. We also share how to choose a second cat and what you need to know before you bring them home.

5 Signs Your Cat Needs More Companionship

If you’re questioning whether your cat prefers to be alone or with another cat, there are a few things to consider.

“I tend to look at excess energy, destructive behaviors, or a person being unable to fully meet the needs of the cat as signs that the cat could use a friend over anything else,” says Joey Lusvardi, certified cat behavior consultant and founder of Class Act Cats.

Here are five signs your cat might need a companion.

Clinginess

Cats who follow you everywhere—including the bathroom—and constantly want affection may need more companionship. Some studies show these cats might have an insecure-ambivalent attachment style, causing them to demand your attention.

Another cat might provide them with the social interaction they need while playing and resting, easing these behaviors. This move may prove especially beneficial for your cat if you’ve recently returned to work after months or years of working at home and keeping them company all day.

Positive experience with other cats

If your cat has a history of living harmoniously with other cats, it’s a pretty good indication that they might continue to enjoy the companionship of another feline friend. Sometimes, cats who’ve always had a friend (or two) have difficulty adjusting to life as an only cat. If you’ve noticed lasting changes in your cat after a separation, adding another cat to your household could do a lot to improve your cat’s well-being.

Just be careful about getting a new cat purely for the sake of getting a “replacement” for one of your kitty’s previous cat friends, Lusvardi warns. While they might be able to strike up a happy and healthy bond with their new cat buddy, don’t expect it to be identical to their previous one.

Proper socialization

Similarly, research shows that cats are more likely to adapt to living with another feline friend if they had exposure to cats during their critical socialization window. One study within a research facility found that how a cat responded to an unfamiliar kitten varied depending on whether or not they’d grown up with or without their mother or siblings.

Energy changes

It’s fairly common for cats who feel depressed, bored, or lonely to show a sudden change in energy. If you’re providing your cat plenty of mental and physical enrichment and it still doesn’t seem enough, a kitty friend might help.

“If your cat has so much energy that, despite you providing them [with that], they are still not satisfied, finding another cat with a similar temperament may be a good idea,” says Lusvardi.

Destruction and litter box changes

A healthy and happy cat will use their litter box without any issues. If your cat begins to eliminate outside the box when you haven’t changed anything about the box’s placement, litter, or your cat’s routine, this may suggest stress or separation anxiety.

In fact, research shows that destructive behaviors and urination in inappropriate places were two of the top three reported anxious behaviors in cats who struggled with being left alone. The research also suggests that cats who live alone without other animals or cats are more likely to experience separation anxiety.

In some cases, the presence of another cat in the home may help reduce this anxiety and minimize destruction and messes outside the litter box.

How To Choose a Second Cat

It might seem challenging to play kitty matchmaker. Thankfully, we have some feline behaviorist-approved tips and suggestions to narrow your options. When choosing a new kitty sibling for your cat, age, temperament, and play style are all important factors to consider.

Age

Both Lusvardi and DeVoss say age is one of the most critical factors for a harmonious feline friendship. Though it’s not a guarantee, a younger cat and kitten are more likely to get along because they’re in similar life stages, notes Lusvardi.

“Getting cats that are age-matched is better than, for example, getting a kitten for your senior cat,” he says. “Think about it in human terms. The difference between a 25-year-old person and a 15-year-old person isn’t small, despite them being relatively close in age.”

Temperament

Cats have distinctive temperaments. While there might be some personality shifts as kittens become adults, for the most part, their personalities stay consistent. As such, your new cat should have traits that work well with your existing cat. “A really docile cat is not going to appreciate a rambunctious new housemate,” Lusvardi gives as an example.

Play style

Similarly, Lusvardi advises finding a cat with a similar play style. “Search for cats that have a similar play style and personalities that complement each other,” he says. Again, age will play a critical role here. Cats of similar ages will likely have similar physical and mental needs and will be more compatible. “A nine-month-old kitten has vastly different needs and energy compared to a nine-year-old senior cat,” DeVoss adds.

Does gender matter?

It might surprise you to hear that whether a cat is male or female plays a very small role, especially if they’re spayed or neutered. Ages, personalities, energy levels, early socialization, and past history with animals and people tend to matter much more.

“You’re more likely to get two female cats with compatible personalities and play styles that are around the same age to get along than you would a male and female cat that have a 10-year age gap,” Lusvardi says.

Do Cats Need To Be in Pairs?

Do cats prefer to be alone or with another cat in a pair? It depends.

Social cats that enjoy the company of other feline friends may prefer a second cat. This is especially true for cats who have lost a bonded companion. According to DeVoss, cats who are deeply bonded and then separated will show unmistakable signs of distress. They might stop eating, start withdrawing, or experience changes in their typical sleeping and litter box behaviors.

If your cat recently lost their bonded partner, getting a new cat might help, but it’s crucial to take things slowly. Respect that your cat has suffered a big loss, and avoid adopting another cat too soon. You and your cat both need time to recover and grieve.

“Each cat is unique. One cat may like their specific cat friend, but not like every other cat,” Lusvardi says. “Think of it like this: If your best friend died and I were to pick a random person to replace them, would that be successful?”

Signs Your Cat Doesn’t Need Another Cat

Sure, some kitties might benefit from having a friend, but plenty of cats are satisfied with being on their own. “Cats that are content as solo pets will typically display no behavioral issues,” DeVoss points out. “They’ll be active, eat well, seek out affection, and engage in natural feline behaviors like scratching and climbing.”

If your cat is truly content and shows no signs of loneliness, they might not need a new cat friend. Instead, continue to prioritize your cat’s well-being and happiness as the sole ruler of the house.

Other cats may also actively oppose a second cat. Signs your cat may not need a new cat friend include:

• A territorial history, like spraying or urinating outside the litter box
• Aggression toward other cats
• Frequent anxiety and stress
• Lower energy and tolerance for new cats (like senior cats)
• Lack of proper socialization as a kitten
• Past trauma with other cats
• Fearful and defensive behavior
• Chronic illness or medical conditions

If you’re still on the fence about whether you should get a second cat, consider fostering at a local rescue or shelter. “Fostering is an excellent way to determine if your cat could adapt to another feline companion,” DeVoss says. “It allows for a temporary arrangement where your cat can experience sharing their space without committing to a new permanent addition.”

What To Know About Integrating a New Cat

There’s no fast track to feline friendship at first sight. “The process of integrating cats can take months and needs to be done slowly,” Lusvardi says. “As cute as the videos you see online are of cats instantly being best friends upon first meeting, that isn’t usually what happens.” There’s an art to introducing cats, and minimizing their stress requires patience, planning, and positive associations.

To make the transition easier, arrange your home to accommodate two cats. Initially, this might look like preparing a room for the new cat or blocking off spaces with pet gates while your kitties slowly get used to each other. Once your cats are integrated, ensure they have plenty of personal space to prevent territorial behavior. Provide separate food and water bowls and multiple resting areas where they can retreat, such as comfy beds and elevated perches.

When it comes to litter boxes, follow the standard rule of one litter box per cat, plus one extra. Spread them across your house with plenty of space from each other.

Prepare for your routine to change, too. You’ll now be prepping two separate meals, cleaning more litter boxes, and budgeting time for individual play with each cat. And don’t forget about the added costs, either. At its simplest, two cats mean double the vet bills, food expenses, and care essentials.

Is it ever too late to get a second cat?

The younger you introduce cats, the more likely they’ll get along. But that doesn’t mean you can’t try with older cats. “It’s certainly not impossible that cats of any age could like having a companion,” Lusvardi says. That said, as cats get older, it becomes much more challenging.” That’s why it’s imperative to prioritize your current cat’s comfort and choose a new cat carefully.

If you’re still not sure, consult your vet or cat trainer for tailored advice about your cat’s specific health, personality, and needs. They can help you decide if it’s better to have two cats or enjoy the furry feline friend you have now.