Does my cat need another cat
- Feb 14
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 14
The majority of cat parents will eventually end up feeling like they are the main character of the lyrics of “Love Will Tear Us Apart” by Joy Division. “When routine bites hard and ambitions are low/ And resentment rides high, but emotions won't grow”... should I adopt another cat?!
This existential question, which weight can be only measured by the paradoxes straight from the Ancient Greece tragedy, has a simple answer: “it all depends”. On what?... I’m so glad you asked!
The good news is that your cat already knows if he or she wants a companion. There are several ways to find out which way your furry royalty is leaning towards. Secondly, it comes down to you assessing if you have the capacity to have another kitty, because as the family grows, so do the responsibilities.
For the New York parents I feel the stakes are especially high. Small apartments, long office hours, professional burn out, cats ending up as the emotional blankets and the growing guilt of it all. That is why I recommend following the Chic Cat Lady Assessment inspired by a quote from Ursula Le Guin. She was an American speculative science fiction books author. In one of her essays inside the “Book of Cats” she wrote: “Cats know exactly where they begin and end”. It is a sophisticated way of saying that cats are the main characters of their own lives and we-humans should be careful to not project our own insecurities and doubts onto our furry balls of purr.
Here is the list of questions to ask yourself to see if your cat needs another cat:
Cats like company but are very selective. In a wild setting they choose friends based on the amount of resources. The same rules apply at your apartment. Do you have enough space for separate bowls and litter boxes? Will they have enough launch spots?
What are my cats’ early experiences with sharing territory? Did they grow up with siblings or other animals? If they had positive interactions then a slow scent-based introduction might be worth a shot! Patience is crucial so be prepared for a lot of “one step forward, two steps back”.
How protective is my cat when it comes to his feeding and resting area?
Are they mostly hiding or do they like to engage and have plenty of energy for play?
Am I giving them enough attention? Do we have playtime routines to exercise extra energy and inspire intellectual stimulation? Perhaps all they need is some more quality time with their humans.
Is my kitty very protective of me during the night? If so, it might become an issue when the second cat arrives, creating tension around who is guarding you while you’re asleep.
Lastly: will I be able to make sure that both of my furry babies receive the equal amount of attention? It is crucial they do so try to be honest with yourself about the scale of your own commitment
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