Do Cats Get Lonesome - Or are They Happier Alone?

 

One of the biggest mysteries surrounding cats is whether they are loners who prefer to be on their own or would rather live with other cats.  Observers of cat behavior - from scientists to every single cat owner - can point to evidence to support both answers to that question.  So, is there a definitive answer?
 
Maybe.  But to get to it, we need to look at the various aspects of a cat’s life and the behavior that goes with them.  For example, eating.  Cats in the wild are lone hunters and, when they catch prey, they eat alone so that they get the most benefit from that meal.  Survival depends on them being successful hunters and this is best done alone.  This wild behavior may show itself in domestic cats at feeding time.  Placing feeding cats near each other can cause stress and aggression.  While this trait is certainly not demonstrated by all cats, some owners pick up on it and place cat bowls far away from each other so their cats can eat peacefully.    
 
Another aspect of cat life to consider is their tendency to be territorial.  A cat’s ability to defend what it considers to be its territory is very well known and through time helped enabled its survival.  In today’s feral/stray cat colonies, however, a social structure has evolved.  Colony members take care of one another’s kittens in groupings based on how the cats are related to each other.  As we know, un-spayed female cats can produce several litters in a year and it’s those family members who, as they age, will care for the youngest kittens, their group or “territory.”

This trait is harder to track in domestic cat groups because a household of adopted cats is not likely to have the same mother.  However, kittens from different mothers adopted together will bond and become fast friends as they grow, play, and learn from each other.  Since kittens also comfort each other in a group, a young kitten living alone can easily experience loneliness.
 
It’s adult cats who demonstrate the strongest sense of territoriality, as anyone who’s introduced a new cat into an established cat’s household will confirm.  When they reach adulthood, cats, like people, have developed distinct personalities and may or may not be very welcoming or social.  Some cats absolutely cannot tolerate other cats and should be the only ones in a household.  Some behaviorists believe this hatred of other cats could be the result of that kitten being taken away from its mother and littermates when it was very young and so didn’t experience any early bonding with another cat.  However, as we’ve seen many times with new arrivals at BCR, adult cats can and do frequently adapt and welcome newcomers.  Uncle Fester and Skipper (pictured above) are great examples of this kind of cat, who could potentially feel lonely if they were the only cat in a household.

Understanding this part of a cat’s makeup would be so much easier if they could talk, share their stories and tell us exactly what they like best and what they don’t!  Since that isn’t likely to happen, owners have to depend on what they can learn from an adopting person or facility (many of which take care to learn about a cat’s behavior and any history available) and what they themselves observe.  Whether or not a cat owner gets a second or third cat to join the family should really depend on each cat’s personality. 

If you decide that you have a cat who would benefit from and enjoy a housemate, how do you find a good match?  The answer involves doing some research and applying some common sense.  For instance, if you have an older cat at home, adopting a kitten isn’t the best idea.  A kitten’s need for play and companionship is very different from an adult cat’s, so blending the two could result in two cats living in the same place but still feel alone!  Instead, try to match ages and temperament.  Seek out a cat who is proven to be welcoming to other cats.  Take your time, meet, and spend time with potential new cats. 
 
Introducing a new cat into a home is also a process with very specific steps and timeframes.  Doing it right will allow both cats to adjust slowly to one another and hopefully result in a peaceful multi-cat home.   Read BCR’s excellent blog on introducing cats for some help.
 
We all want our cats to live their best lives possible and if bringing in a “sibling” will help achieve that goal, it can be done!
 
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