New York City Siamese Rescue
Information Page
 ..1.. One Kitty or Two?
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What if you were marooned on an island with a bunch of bears and never saw another human again? |
Siamese cats are a breed that is known to be sociable and outgoing. They crave human companionship and tend to be very affectionate. At times, Siamese can even be demanding in their need for attention. In addition to their graceful beauty and intelligence, their loving nature is especially endearing to Siamese enthusiasts. Siamese cats are known to “shadow” their owners (follow you around like a puppy) and be interested in your various activities. They may even “help” you while you’re making your bed or working on your computer.
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These highly intelligent and sensitive creatures need a great deal of mental stimulation for their health and welfare. Cats isolated without diversion when humans are gone can develop behavioral problems (shyness, biting, hissing, being frightened and hiding when someone visits) or get into “trouble” trying to entertain themselves (i.e., shredding toilet paper rolls, going into cabinets, ruining furniture).
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Only cats can also become bored, lonely, or even depressed. A depressed cat is one that is lethargic, rather unresponsive, uninterested in playing or interaction, and out of shape/overweight or disinterested in food. Some cats may even self-mutilate (i.e., pull out their hair, bite their tails) out of boredom. The lack of exercise, extra weight and emotional stress of being alone can lead to health problems down the road.
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Generally speaking, most cats enjoy feline company as well as human affection, and the sociability of the Siamese makes them especially welcoming of, and even needy for cat companionship. A kitty room-mate (or another type of pet) will provide built-in relief from tedium, even if they do not actively cuddle or play together. Kittens especially benefit from having a young feline playmate to keep them busy!
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Two (or more) cats can entertain themselves and keep things interesting, as well as comfort each other while you’re away. Cats that play together (a good game of chase or play wrestling), groom each other and snuggle down to sleep are evidently happier, more sociable, and in better physical shape than single cats. They tend to be healthier over the course of their lifetimes as a result, and may even live longer! Another benefit is the pleasure you get from enjoying their relationship with each other and with you.
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Though the majority of cats do better with cat company, a minority are afraid of or dislike other cats, even after the normal adjustment period. For various reasons, these cats fare better being a “one and only.” These poor kitties were likely separated from their mom as tiny kittens, before they learned how to communicate with other cats. This fear can also be from bad experiences being dominated or bullied by fellow felines, or from years of isolation from other cats and forgetting how to negotiate. Other cats that may do better alone are those with aggressive or overly dominant tendencies; they may never accept sharing their territory.
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It is important to keep in mind that many cats that are initially afraid of other cats can often adjust with time to a newcomer, especially if the two cats are compatible: similar in temperament, behavior, age, and confidence. Some people believe that two of the same sex tend to get along better than one of each, and some people believe the opposite, though if both are neutered, it should not make a difference (caveat: it can sometimes depend on the preference of the cat in question). The adjustment period may take a while longer with cats that are not used to other cats or are slow to warm up to changes, but if given 1-3 months to adjust, they almost always work it out. Cats are highly adaptable!
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If you absolutely cannot have two cats, it is still worthwhile to give a single adult cat a good, loving home. Unless a cat is particularly dependent, an adult cat can usually cope with humans being out for a normal workday (as in 8-hours per day); cats usually sleep about 16 hours a day (in napping intervals), so they will likely be snoozing a good portion of the time you’re away. Your commitment to playing and giving attention in the morning and evening is essential to the cat’s well-being.
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 While you’re out, some strategies that also help to keep the environment stimulating include: keeping the radio on with a station that the cat seems to like (classical, easy listening or talk radio), rotating toys, inventing new places for the kitty to explore, hiding treats inside dispensers, hiring a pet-sitter service or a trusted friend/family member to visit during the day, and entertainments like a fish tank with a secure lid (or one of those clever fake ones).
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One thing to expect in doubling your cats is that your costs will run slightly more than the cost of one. Adoption fees, food, vet care (annual exams, vaccinations, etc.), and litter (two pans is a good idea) go along with the bargain. But, one bored kitty tends to eat more and have more health problems, so the cost is not quite doubled. The additional expense may be well worth it, when you factor in the improved quality of life for cats that have company. Also, the workload to care for two cats remains basically the same, and you don’t need more space for two cats than one!
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Other sites with opinions on only-cats or clowders (cat groups): |
Introducing a Second Cat: Feline Introductions |
Aggression problems between cats: Feline Aggression |
Litterboxes and multiple cats: Sharing Litterboxes |
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