Two cats is better?

Karen Chuplis wrote in message ...
in article , trents32 at wrote on
4/7/04 9:51 AM:

We are considering getting a cat.
Will a cat be happier with companionship of 2nd cat.
Is there an issue getting two cats?
Does it matter if they both male or female or a mix when both are nuetered
and spayed?
We lost our cat and to have enough cats for everyone in family to share I
thought 2 cats would be good.

Thank you for any thoughts



Two is ALWAYS better. I've never heard anyone say different.

From the perspective of what the cat likes, while I believe this is
often true, I don't think it is universally the case. It depends upon
the particular cat involved, especially if you're thinking of adopting
adult cats who are not already buddies. When I was looking to adopt
last year, I decided I wanted two adult cats. There were cats at the
Cat Clinic which the people handling adoptions told me definitely had
to be "only cats"; there were also a pairs that were buddies and would
only be adopted out together. The two guys I adopted were'nt buddies
at the shelter. They tolerate each other and occasionally play, but to
be honest even though they are generally very happy, I think if they
could have the best of all possible worlds each would probably would
like it even better if they were "only cats".

IMO, if you want to adopt two or more cats and be *really sure* that
they enjoy being with each other, you should adopt adults who are
already bonded or adopt them while they are still kittens so that they
grow up together. Probably the surest bet is to adopt kittens from
the same litter. But in the end, even if you adopt more than one cat
and they don't turn out to be best friends, as long as they at least
tolerate each other they can have a great life because they have a
home where they're loved and cared for.



If you get them
at the same time, you have an even easier time of it. If you can find it in
your heart to adopt two who have always been together and were turned into
the shelter it is even a bigger blessing.

Karen

Yes, a companion cat is frequently, eventually, a really good thing
for a cat.
It just isn't always peerceived as a good thing by the recipient right
away. Generally, said lucky cat who just got a friend will think
he/she is being replaced, that tne new cat will either kill them or
steal away their home and human, and that they better drive it off
right away. They will find it totally maddening that you tolerate, or
God forbid, show some affection to the tresspasser.

Expect this to be the dominant mood for the first couple of months of
coexistence, if you don't get two already-bonded cats. It doesn't mean
that you've hopelessly screwed up the introduction or that the cats
are permanently incompatible. It's just how most adult cats are.

They will end up on reasonably friendly terms, usually around 90 days
or so, and maybe even better than that. Just be prepared for the
initial negativity and don't get discouraged too quickly.....

Yes, a companion cat is frequently, eventually, a really good thing
for a cat.
It just isn't always peerceived as a good thing by the recipient right
away. Generally, said lucky cat who just got a friend will think
he/she is being replaced, that tne new cat will either kill them or
steal away their home and human, and that they better drive it off
right away. They will find it totally maddening that you tolerate, or
God forbid, show some affection to the tresspasser.

Expect this to be the dominant mood for the first couple of months of
coexistence, if you don't get two already-bonded cats. It doesn't mean
that you've hopelessly screwed up the introduction or that the cats
are permanently incompatible. It's just how most adult cats are.

They will end up on reasonably friendly terms, usually around 90 days
or so, and maybe even better than that. Just be prepared for the
initial negativity and don't get discouraged too quickly.....

No, dear.... It's "two cats ARE better".
And it's just like with anything else.. Sometimes yes... Sometimes no.
Hope this helped.



IBen G.

No, dear.... It's "two cats ARE better".
And it's just like with anything else.. Sometimes yes... Sometimes no.
Hope this helped.



IBen G.

Karen Chuplis wrote in message ...
(...)



Two is ALWAYS better.

Unless they hate each other. Which can happen.


I've never heard anyone say different. If you get them
at the same time, you have an even easier time of it. If you can find it in
your heart to adopt two who have always been together and were turned into
the shelter it is even a bigger blessing.

Adopting two who have always been together is the safest bet.

Steve.

Karen Chuplis wrote in message ...
(...)



Two is ALWAYS better.

Unless they hate each other. Which can happen.


I've never heard anyone say different. If you get them
at the same time, you have an even easier time of it. If you can find it in
your heart to adopt two who have always been together and were turned into
the shelter it is even a bigger blessing.

Adopting two who have always been together is the safest bet.

Steve.

It's so great that you are able to adopt 2 at the same time because you can
either get litter mates or 2 older cats who need to be together.

You will not feel guilty leaving one cat alone all day or going on vacation
and having a pet sitter come in once or twice a day. Two is as easy as one.

Good luck!

--
Barb
Of course I don't look busy,
I did it right the first time.

It's so great that you are able to adopt 2 at the same time because you can
either get litter mates or 2 older cats who need to be together.

You will not feel guilty leaving one cat alone all day or going on vacation
and having a pet sitter come in once or twice a day. Two is as easy as one.

Good luck!

--
Barb
Of course I don't look busy,
I did it right the first time.

Yes, two cats are better than one, especially if you work during the day.
They will keep eachother company and won't depend on you for attention as
much. -- L.

"trents32" wrote in message
...
We are considering getting a cat.
Will a cat be happier with companionship of 2nd cat.
Is there an issue getting two cats?
Does it matter if they both male or female or a mix when both are
nuetered
and spayed?
We lost our cat and to have enough cats for everyone in family to share I
thought 2 cats would be good.

Thank you for any thoughts