Should You Get a Second Cat?: Facebook Survey Gets Surprising Results

[@nyphrodel]

I noticed that the people who had a NEGATIVE experience when introducing another cat into the household said it was 'bad', 'terrible experience' and to 'avoid' the experience altogether. On the other paw, I want your viewers to pay special attention to how high the percentage of POSITIVE experiences. I have been a cat foster for many years and the one thing I've noticed (and I think a lot of people seem to have overlooked) is that all cats have different personalities. That's a no-brainer, right? So, just because it was a NEGATIVE experience when someone else introduced another cat into their household, doesn't mean it always is or always will be a NEGATIVE experience. You see sometimes, (like people) some cats just do NOT get along. Sometimes, some cats just do NOT like each other. No matter what you do. You may need to rehome that second cat OR better yet, try bringing just ONE MORE cat into the house. This THIRD cat can sometimes act as a referee, or even the glue that brings them all together. Worse case scenario: you end up having to rehome the second cat anyway. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. You may have had to rehome that second cat, but in the long run your first cat FINALLY has a friend and is no longer lonely. Isn't that what you were hoping to do in the first place? My point is this: just because someone else had a NEGATIVE experience when they tried something, doesn't mean that it's a 'bad' idea or that it doesn't work, it just didn't work for THEM. People just need to SHARE their experiences, then others can make THEIR OWN decision based off of all of the information. That's just MY experience, I hope it helps others make their choices. PLEASE use ALL of the information when making YOUR decision.

[@9LivesToLive]

Thanks for your comment, Nyphrodel! You make a great point, that sometimes its just a personality thing. You might do all the right things and introduce them as slowly as possible, but their personalities just do not work out. Thanks for watching, and even more for fostering those cats!

[@proplay51]

I just picked up 2 kittens from the shelter. They get along great. They love to play games with me, their favorite... Catch Me if You Can and Hide and Seek.... whoa is me!

[@9LivesToLive]

I don't know why, but kittens love to be chased, as long as they know it's play. LOL. Thanks for your comment and for watching, Joe!

[@gemster55]

I wish this channel had popped up on the KZbin algorithm earlier, thanks so much researching so thoroughly

[@jennie9]

It really depends on your cats. I have 3 cats. One is almost 20 years old and the other 2 are 3 years old. I got the 2 younger ones 2 weeks apart in the first 6 months of their lives and they bonded almost immediately. The senior cat had spent most of her life as the single cat in the household, so she had trouble adapting to the younger ones. They tried to play with her and groom her but she wasn't interested. It took about 6 months for her to get comfortable with them but, honestly, I think she would have been just as (maybe more) happy if I'd never got them. It's really just that their stages of life and experiences are very different. ETA: To be clear, my elderly cat is fine with the younger ones now. She doesn't seek them out but she'll nap next to them and occasionally groom them. She'll even play with them a bit. It just took time.

[@9LivesToLive]

Great to hear that it worked out, even if it took a little while. Thanks for watching, JE!

[@elizabethoneill8612]

I'm not in a rush for the video to end, I love seeing and hearing about cats

[@Cwgrlup]

Hearing the negative comments I think of Jackson Galaxy. He has a lot of videos about all these problems. Sounds like these people rushed the introduction process and didn’t get it right. They can go back and separate then reintroduce them and do it correctly. Jackson also talks about having enough litterboxes etc and patience. He talks about matching energy levels.. ie males roughhouse more than females and females chase and run when they play. Kitten energy will annoy a senior cat so they need a lot of playtime. Or you can get 2 kittens to go with a senior and the senior resident cat will join the fun when they feel like doing so. Jackson Galaxy came to my house for a consultation and recommended that we get a kitten for our 8 year old who has no socialization so we had a 50/50 shot. It took time and patience but 6 months later they are very close, sleep together, mutually groom eachother, play and chase each other and we have seen a huge improvement in our resident cats mental and even physical well being. He eats better, he isn’t constipated anymore (we changed their diet to something both could eat) and overall they are extremely happy. We wish we had done this with other cats we had in the past who were single cats. We will never have a single cat again.

[@9LivesToLive]

You are absolutely right that following the right procedure helps immensely. But I also think that sometimes cats are just not compatible and that they will not get along.

[@bookmouse2719]

My husband rescued a young kitty he found abandoned and brought him home ...we have one elder boss cat female and 2 large subject cats males. Well, this girl kitten got along with everyone but the boss cat. They still don't like each other but one has her own room she can go to and they tolerate each other. It's cat politics.

[@9LivesToLive]

Yeah, sometimes they just won't get along. But they seem to find accommodations. Thanks for the comment!

[@TheJimNicholson]

There are a number of videos on KZbin (including at least one or two very good ones on this channel) that describe various processes for introducing a new cat to a household. If you just drop a new cat into a house that already has cats, you get what you deserve when they don't get along; introductions are a process, and can take some time to do right. A lot of people react negatively to things that cats do with/to each other that are actually natural aspects of cat interaction. Some people can't tell the difference between playful aggression and an actual fight. Occasional hissing, swatting, and even some "fighting" are natural; as responsible owners, it's important to monitor (and police) your cats' interactions, but not every snarl or hiss demands a response from humans. Also, bear in mind that kittens learn a huge amount of "cat socialization" from their littermates and their mother; if cats are separated from their mother and siblings too soon, they can miss out on this, and it can lead to behavior issues. We have a cat that was rescued *very* early (less than 6 months old), and he shows some signs of this: he doesn't really know how to "play" with other cats, and he will bite occasionally when all other indications are that he's happy, and he tends to misplace aggression a bit.

[@9LivesToLive]

Thank you for your informative comment, Jim. I appreciate it.

[@DinksDinersArtbox]

I would say I've had a neutral experience, I've had a multiple cat home, over the course of 14 or so years. We are now down to 1 can who will be 19 in March. I really didn't know much about proper introductions at the time, so they were just put into the house as we acquired them. Our first was a male, Mimi, ( we thought he was a female- black cat) Had him for 5 years when we acquired a private rescue, a little spayed female, named Star, (who lived to be 22 before she passed) Those cats tolerated each other, but were never close enough to groom each other) I'd always wanted a social bunch that would curl up together, but never have got that. Our third cat, Kannika, was from my daughter, when she went to the UK, and didn't want to subject her cat to a quarantine period that we all felt was ridiculous. The girls appeared to relax a LOT after Mimi passed away. Star, assumed role of dominate cat, which was funny, tiny, but no doubt who was boss, when she passed, Kannika seemed to like having the place to herself, and loneliness didn't appear to be a problem. I have had company that have brought their dogs, of varying breeds, and she had no problem with holding her ground and making sure they stayed out of her personal territory, aka the litter box area. these were short term guests. I don't think I'll get a companion cat, as we are both retired, and we are her personal servants, and she wouldn't be happy sharing her throne. *LOL* If we ever find ourselves without furry friends, ( inevitable) I would get two kittens, at the same time. and hope the house survives. *LOL*

[@9LivesToLive]

Yeah, cat's can have a very complicated social life. I have found that the cats that really cuddle together have grown up together from kittens. It's hard for them to develop that relationship later in life. Thanks for the comment, DinkDiners!

[@sbffsbrarbrr]

Thank you for making this video. There is a lot of misconception that domesticated cats are solitary and that's not really true. Multiples are almost always better. The one exception might be if someone works from home and can interact with their pet often during the day. Where people fail, me included, is being too impatient with the introduction of the new cat, keeping the animals separated until they get used to each other. The cats should never just be thrown together to work it out on their own. A proper "Introduction" might take a few days or a couple of weeks. What we need to keep in mind is the couple of weeks of extra time and work will mean many happy years for us and our kitties.

[@9LivesToLive]

Yes, the introduction is super important. I will make a video about that next. Thanks for watching!

[@sherrylldominique4990]

I work from home now, I’ve been thinking about another cat. However, I’m not really sold on another. Dakota is almost 3 and she’s spoiled, I don’t think she’d interact well with another lol

[@9LivesToLive]

@@sherrylldominique4990 Yeah, it's hard to tell what cats will do. But you know her personality best.

[@NsyShwl]

I feel like if you can adopt a second cat you definitely should ❤ twice as nice and they keep each other occupied.. if as a human being alone in a lonely place for long periods of time can break you mentally i can't even imagine what it could do to a small creature like that who doesn't have the capacity to reason like we do..

[@9LivesToLive]

Agreed! Two is better than one, especially if they are a bonded pair and get along from the start.

[@MG-ot2yr]

Depends on the cat, I've had many prefer being the only cat, if you tried to introduce another their personality changes and they're angry all the time, and others that love being with other cats. A lot also depends on what they've been exposed to and have become accustomed to...so don't just follow someone telling you your cat needs company, consider the cat and its specific personality and needs first, then decide.

[@9LivesToLive]

Yes. Especially older cats set in their ways.

[@PCLoadLetter]

I have an indoor cat, Boris. Domestic short hair tuxedo. Total velcro, utterly loving, but separation anxiety. He's a 9yo rescue cat, and I've had him six months. Spent some time on the streets, got FIV, and quite a few scars. I thought a friend would be good. Two weeks ago I picked up another Domestic short hair cat, Ranga. He was ginger, 7yo, rescued by a cat inspector from a hoarder with too many cats, but spent 10 months in the shelter on gabapentin, being passed over constantly. He was head-bunting my hand in 2 seconds and my leg in 2 minutes when we first met at the shelter. But he had 4 pages of medical waivers to read and sign, including FIV, no teeth, and a bunch of minor things. Ranga never adjusted to the move. Boris was very accommodating throughout and after the slow introduction, and Ranga would calm down a little when Boris started grooming him. But he wasn't eating properly, and he was often fast abdominal breathing. He'd drink plenty of water, though. I fed him the same premium wet and dry foods the shelter fed him, and he always had dry food in a slow feeder too, if he really wanted to work for it. I had to sneak his meds into creamy cat treats though, as he rarely ate more than a few bites. And he spent almost all day and night hiding under my bed, or under the cupboard. I built a little blanket fort around the latter to give Ranga more privacy and a sense of place, which Boris respected. The vet I took him to saw some minor concerns on X-rays but nothing conclusive. Yesterday, 13 days in, I woke up to find he was stretched out on my kitchen floor, stone cold & not breathing. If someone above wanted him to end his life with 12 good days, with good food, not being passed by and rejected by dozens of families a day in his (admittedly rather nice) cage, being groomed by another cat, and getting as many petting sessions as he wanted (one time even muscling his way into my bed - good on him!), well, that inexplicable urge I had to detour to the shelter two weeks ago might have been planned. I bawled my eyes out after burying him yesterday, and it disturbed Boris a little. But we're good. I think he prefers it alone. So maybe it was for the best? Maybe?

[@9LivesToLive]

It sounds like a terrible experience. But sometimes there is nothing you can do.

[@AllegedlyHuman]

I have three cats, two of which I have had for over six years now. Last October, my mother took in three kittens in foster care - two of them got along great, but the third was overwhelmed and needed alone-time, something which was only possible if I came over to help, and I did whenever I could. The kitten and I quickly bonded, but the situation between the kittens became worse, and so the asocial kitten had to be rehomed. The rescue responsible for her was in a bad spot though, and going back there would... be less than ideal. So, I made the decision to take her into my home, and kept her in my bathroom for two weeks, doing a very gradual and careful introduction. I am proud to say that it was a great success, and she has become far more outgoing, relaxed, playful and cuddly - and the shyer of my two cats have grown a little bit more confident too. They are terribly happy and terribly cuddly Oh, and the first two kitties she didn't get along with? They were all just released together at the same time

[@9LivesToLive]

Love the story! Thanks for sharing, Allegedly!

[@bambinaforever1402]

2 weeks holding cat in a bathroom? U should be fined for cruelty with animals

[@AllegedlyHuman]

@@bambinaforever1402 lol, goes to show what you know. Trust me, she got plenty of cuddles and playtime, and I spent hours with her each day, gradually introducing her to my other two cats. It's no more cruel than stopping your child from putting a fork inside an electrical socket

[@attheranch873]

Thank you, this is very helpful. A 70% success rate is pretty good.

[@9LivesToLive]

Great to hear it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@siciliangypsy4758]

I was just thinking what might be a good idea. There are people that foster cats/kittens before they are adopted. Perhaps if an individual was wanting to try to bring another cat in their house. They could foster one. If it falls into place terrific. If not, the cat will be adopted by someone else anyway.

[@9LivesToLive]

I never thought of that! Thanks for the comment, Sicilian Gypsy!

[@xlerb2286]

We've fostered cats for years and those percentages are about what we've seen with people looking for a 2nd cat. If people take it slow introducing them, and choose a 2nd cat that's a good fit with the existing cat as far as personality and energy levels go it generally, but not always, goes well.

[@ThePaleface54]

Such a well done and well thought out video.

[@NsyShwl]

I agree that if the cats don't get along it's probably not meant to be 😂 most shelters im sure would allow you to introduce them before adoption.. its better to find out if they love or hate each other before making the decision and possibly making their lives more stressful.. Great videos ❤

[@9LivesToLive]

Unfortunately, most shelters do not agree to introductions before adoption. I think it's because most introductions take several weeks and serious commitment to make it work.

[@ccane193]

Thankyou for this well researched video!!

[@9LivesToLive]

Thank you for your comment, C Cane! You're welcome!

[@thelwell256]

I have quite a few of cats in my home and of course there have been some issues but found if you get them fixed and preferably a young age they bond. Girl cats are not as comfortable all around they have different personalities compared to boys. I love my kids and love your videos.

[@9LivesToLive]

Thanks for your comment, Joan! True about male and female cats.

[@jennie9]

When I was younger, I had 3 neutered, indoor male cats and now I have 3 spayed, indoor female cats. All 6 were/are quite different from each other in personality but I never noticed anything I'd attribute to their gender. Maybe it's more noticable if you have a mixed group.

[@thelwell256]

@JE Yes, it is quite noticeable when they interact especially, and I have noticed that in all the girls I have had over the years.Thanks for mentioning .👍

[@9LivesToLive]

I have noticed a few differences, but don't really know if they are because of personality or sex. The boys like to wrestle when playing. They girls like to chase. Also, they boys seem calmer and less needy. But, all these things could be just individual.

[@janicejacome]

New subscriber! Thanks! There are SO MANY cat channels, but the first and second addressed my problems exactly! Looking VERY FORWARD to next video on how to introduce my 9 yr old neutered male to a possible friend as he DEFINITELY needs a pal. We're very attached so l wouldn't want this to go wrong! Thanks for great videos which l didn't find too long AT ALLL! THANKS from Dizzy in NYC🐈🐈‍⬛

[@9LivesToLive]

Awesome! I'm glad the videos helped you, Janice. Thank you! Here is a video on introductions in case you have not seen it. And good luck with your kitty! kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoLQfWqEotyBjqs

[@Adeline9418]

My #2 cat arrives tomorrow. To keep my cat company.

[@9LivesToLive]

Let me know how the introduction went. Sometimes it takes a while for them to get along.

[@nainamonkey5]

My cat is lonely and I got a 2nd cat

[@9LivesToLive]

Sometimes it helps them so much!

[@nainamonkey5]

It does they play and lik and sleep together

[@staben22]

Great video! I'm sort of tempted to get my single cat a kitten friend. She is 3 years old, and I'm afraid she gets lonely while I'm at work.

[@JodieTarot]

Great info! Thank you 🙏

[@9LivesToLive]

Glad it was helpful!

[@reflexflow9088]

We were afraid are first Cat wouldn't get along with a new Cat, but it didn't take more than a day before they were Buddies! Thats not all cats but I believe most cats would be happy to have another cat buddy!

[@9LivesToLive]

Wow! One day, that is pretty fast.

[@kaizen_5091]

Great depth in this video. Worth watching!

[@9LivesToLive]

Glad you think so, KaiZen! Thanks for your comment!

[@rachelwebber3605]

I was one of Kristyn's assistance for her experiments on cat attachment to their owners! It was for her PhD, and that particular set of experiments was looking at feline attachment styles by following the same protocol of Ainsworth's attachment theory in infants. I wasn't there for Lyla's marathon meowing session, but she became a lab legend during Kristyn's PhD. My cat at the time participated in a couple of her experiments, though not the attachment styles one. I also helped her with her kitten training and socializing classes, where we taught people how to effectively socialize their kittens and do some basic trainings, especially harness training and taking their kittens for walks.

[@9LivesToLive]

Wow, that's amazing! Thanks for the comment. How did the kitten training go? Was it effective?

[@rachelwebber3605]

@@9LivesToLive Let me tell you, you've not seen adorable until you've seen an entire room full of kittens learning to sit and high five on command! The kitten training and socializing was a huge success. A lot of students later reported being able to take their kittens out on walks and playdates with the kittens of other students. I learned a lot from helping out, and used what I learned to train my own cats and the cats of friends and family. Short training sessions are great ways to play with your cat and relieve their boredom. I have found that cats seem to respond better to hand signals than verbal commands. Turns out, since cats were domesticated for pest control, they're not as responsive as dogs are to our voices and may find it harder to distinguish our words. My current cat was born deaf, so I got used to giving her hand commands. My in-law's hearing cat has picked up hand commands like a champ!

[@9LivesToLive]

These are some great insights into cat training, Rachel. Thanks for contributing. I would have loved to see that room of kittens! I did a video a long time ago on walking a cat, but could have used real data on training. The hand command tip is priceless. Would you be interested in doing an online interview for a video on the topic?

[@rachelwebber3605]

@@9LivesToLiveWhy don't I ask Kristyn if she's got some time to talk to you about her research? If she's too busy, I can try to give you an interview. I'm recovering from a concussion that's been making screen time really difficult, so I'm trying to prioritizing work on my thesis.

[@9LivesToLive]

Thanks so much for the offer, Rachel, but I don't want to bother you with that task. I know how time consuming PhD work can be. But I do appreciate the comments you have made!

[@Icewing10]

What a great video! I have a small apartment. My 11 yr old male was a kitten when I brought him home and it changed my then 4 year old cats behavior. They tolerated each other, but he did bully her when he got bigger than her. She passed last year and NOW the male is alone. I tried two different older males but both didn't work out. I think I need a kitten but my male stresses quickly. I guess it doesn't hurt to try. He is aggressive to me as he stopped playing and doing zoomies.

[@9LivesToLive]

Yes, some situations are difficult and it's hard to find a good solution.

[@bambinaforever1402]

If a cat becomes aggressive out of nowhere the cat HAS HEALTH PROBLEMS. Most probably he is in pain. U should go to your vet asap. Every cat owner should know that

[@Icewing10]

@@bambinaforever1402 I do know that and spend 400 a year on his dental cleanings. He went to the vet and has a clean bill of health. It is losing the other cat and boredom. You should know that too

[@Tracyweber-lm8ct]

Thanks so much we don’t have a cat as yet but are getting one soon. But we are getting an older cat from the shelter as it’s mostly the kittens that are going and older cats don’t get chosen as much. I wanted two cats but prices of food rent petrol ect ect not sure if we can afford two. But we are not always home and are in a small rental so I’m wondering how to keep him entertained when we are not home

[@9LivesToLive]

If you can get a cat that came from a single-cat home, that would be best. It would already be used to not having cat companions and would probably not get along with another cat. But if you are away for more than 10 hours a day, you really should get two. An older pair that is bonded, or cats already in a community setting at the shelter would be best. Sometimes it's very difficult to get two older cats to get along.

[@bambinaforever1402]

I got a second cat - they have 5 years difference, they re still not friends 2 years later, so if u re gonna get a cat get them 2 at once. My second young cat plays so nicely with neighbour’s kitten. They re sorta friends.

[@9LivesToLive]

Yes, a pair that already know each other is some much better. But older cats can also bond, too bad that yours did not.

[@josephgorscak5229]

Exceptionally well done video !

[@9LivesToLive]

Thank you so much! I appreciate your comment, and thanks for watching.

[@templetreecove]

Absolutely loved your video. Am getting a two month female for my six month neutered male cat from the same cat parents. Really excited about how this goes. So glad I found your video to get a better perspective on this issue. 😊🙏🏼

[@templetreecove]

Since my male kitten is already neutered , would you suggest the female kitten im about to get , should I spray her when her time comes or let it be since she won’t have babies because the male is neutered. Tia.

[@9LivesToLive]

I suggest you spay her when the time comes or she will go into heat on a regular basis. That means yowling at night and possibly attracting stray males into your neighborhood and creating anxiety.

[@9LivesToLive]

Thanks, Siddharth! I'm glad it helped! Just make sure to introduce them properly!

[@MaRwAn-123]

I'm a that person who look to the half empty glass 😅, but I think you have changed my mind to whither I bring a new family member with me and my 1 year old boy or not. I've noticed one of the signs you mentioned (howling and meowing) especially when he's alone 😔. I found a special one and he's is at the same age as my boy (+ he's neutered) Thanks. (sorry if my English isn't good)

[@9LivesToLive]

Thanks for your comment! I hope everything goes well with the introduction. Good luck!

[@elizabethoneill8612]

We'll also just be on our phone or watching TV or spending time with other humans, and you can make it work if you get your single cat a new companion as long as you do the introductions properly and don't rush it,let the cats decide when they're ready to get closer to the other cat, they will know, and also don't get a kitten when you have a sinior cat at home because they or a younger cat will try to use them as prey and will hurt them and cause them to have territorial anxiety and start using the bathroom any and every where other than the litter box and you'll assume that the cat is bad or evil or something and you'll want to get rid of them.

[@9LivesToLive]

Yes. Senior cats and kittens generally do not mix well.

[@DenDanskeKat.12]

First and love your vids and cats

[@9LivesToLive]

Thanks!

[@lons5472]

Hello i just saw this video, so recently i lost my one older kitten (10yrs) on this past Halloween very depressing and earlier in the year (June) had to put down his Senior Doggie brother (i know 2023 has been a rough one). So now i am left with my youngest kit at around 3-4 yrs (he was a stray) and seems that he is showing signs of being lonely, i guess i am answering my own question as he always was around the three of them when ever we are all together. My only concern was i saw another cat come to my front door and he was howling and hissing alittle when he saw that kitten but as you did point out they sometimes just do that. I guess i am conflicted but my heart tells me to go to a local shelter and just try it out. Oh and nice work on the shelving on your home, can we hire you lol..

[@9LivesToLive]

Yes, I think you should try it. Your cat still has many years of life and will be happier with a companion. But make sure to do a slow introduction. I made a video, which might help you if you are not familiar with the process. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoLQfWqEotyBjqs

[@elizabethoneill8612]

Yeah you should get another cat if you have one only especially if you are going to be gone for a really long time or when you're at home and don't make any time for them,so they'll have each other.u

[@fredricclack7137]

Hav dog-cat Loner! 😔

[@9LivesToLive]

Both can get lonely.

[@attheranch873]

My two-year-old cat doesn’t seem lonely, but I think she’d like another cat to play with. I am considering another one.

[@dianneleon2522]

You could try fostering

[@SteveLedger]

My black 8 year old just doesn't like other cats, I've tried three times to find her [compatible] company. The final, 3rd time is a white male. Slowly introduced him as a kitten, he's 4 years old now and I've stuck with him. While the black cat has become used to him and tolerates him - she just doesn't like him. It's a shame because the white cat desperately wants to be friends and really tries - but she wants none of it. On the other hand, she really loves me, purring whenever I pet and groom her, or just spent time with her. I guess at the end of the day, she's really fine with being a single cat with a human friend.

[@9LivesToLive]

Yeah, some cats are that way. Thanks for your comment, Steve!

[@carolinebachand3548]

Tried it twice and failed both times. They tolerated sharing space but were never close.

[@9LivesToLive]

That's too bad. Sorry it didn't really work out for your kitties.