Are cats happier, healthier and more entertained with a feline companion?
For many cat owners, having one furry feline provides more than enough companionship and entertainment. But could getting a second cat double the fun and affection for both pets and their people? The potential benefits of having two cats include having a ready playmate, always having a buddy for grooming and snuggling, and relieving boredom when owners are away. Some also believe a pair of cats can provide each other security, comfort, and confidence. However, there are also risks, such as more potential for illness transmission and aggression between cats who don’t get along. In this article, we’ll explore the question of whether sharing your home with a duo of cats makes for happier, healthier pets.
Domestication of Cats
Cats were first domesticated around 10,000 years ago in the Near East during the Neolithic period. The process of domestication began when wildcats started living in close proximity to humans, attracted by rodents infesting stored grain. These cats were likely the African wildcat (Felis silvestris lybica). Over time, the wildcats grew more comfortable around humans and were selectively bred for more docile traits. Eventually, distinct domestic cat populations emerged. Genetic studies show that most of today’s domestic cat breeds descended from Felis silvestris lybica (The Lost History of Cat Domestication).
In contrast to domestic cats, wildcats like the African wildcat are largely solitary hunters that only socialize for mating purposes. They establish loose territories and avoid close contact with other cats outside of the breeding season. Domestic cats retained some of the solitary nature of their wild ancestors but evolved to be more social as they adapted to living closely with humans and other pets. Today’s house cats often form close bonds with their human families as well as with other household pets like dogs.
Social Behavior
While domestic cats are often considered independent and aloof, research shows they display social behavior and form relationships with other cats. Studies have found most indoor and domesticated cats can be quite social in the right circumstances.
In the wild, the ancestors of domestic cats were largely solitary hunters like tigers. But during the process of domestication over thousands of years, cats developed more complex social behaviors. Research suggests social interaction in cats began as they started living together near human settlements.
While not as overtly social as dogs, most domestic cats today enjoy companionship and relationships with other cats, as well as with their human families. They communicate using vocalizations, body language, and social grooming. Many cats even play together. So despite their solitary origins, domestication has made cats more socially connected.
Companionship
Cats are often stereotyped as solitary creatures, but research shows they actually thrive on companionship and form close bonds with other cats. According to Four Paws, cats are social animals that need daily interaction and play. When housed together, cats groom each other, play together, and sleep curled up side by side. This social bonding and companionship leads to reduced stress and greater contentment.
A study by the University of Lincoln found that cats housed together had lower stress levels compared to cats housed alone. The researchers suggest this is because cats provide companionship and social support for one another. Kittens housed with their mother or siblings continued to play more as they grew up compared to single kittens. Having a feline playmate encourages more interactive play, exercise and overall happier cats.
Playfulness
Play is very important for a cat’s happiness, development, and well-being. Kittens learn vital hunting and social skills through play with litter mates. Adult cats continue to derive both mental and physical benefits from daily play and exercise. According to PetFinder, having two cats provides built-in opportunities for play, interaction, and exercise that cats might not get if living alone: “One benefit is that the two cats provide each other with exercise, social interaction, and other forms of mental stimulation.”
Having a fellow feline companion gives a cat more opportunities for interactive play such as chasing, wrestling, and mock hunting. Two cats are able to play together more consistently and enthusiastically than a human is usually able to. The World’s Best Cat Litter notes: “Having two cats in the home inspires both to play and interact more frequently. They are more likely to mimic hunting, engage in enthusiastic wrestling matches, and partake in longer chases around the house.” This interactive play helps fulfill a cat’s natural instincts and needs.
Sources:
https://www.petfinder.com/cats-and-kittens/adoption/new-cat/adopt-second-cat/
https://www.worldsbestcatlitter.com/2022/06/4-benefits-of-adopting-two-cats/
Grooming
Social grooming is an important behavior in cats that strengthens social bonds. Cats who live together will often groom each other by licking, nibbling, and rubbing. This communal grooming has several benefits:
It helps reinforce friendship and trust between cats. The act of grooming releases endorphins that produce feelings of pleasure and relaxation. By grooming each other, cats are communicating that they accept the other as part of their social group.
Grooming also provides hygiene and health benefits. The barbs on a cat’s tongue act as a brush to smooth fur and remove loose hair. This helps keep the coat clean and prevents matting. A cat can also groom areas that are hard for another cat to reach themselves, like the head and neck. This assists with parasite and flea control.
Shared grooming sessions provide needed physical touch and affection. The light pressure and massage from licking and rubbing has a calming effect. It can lower stress and anxiety in cats.
According to veterinary experts, mutual grooming indicates cats have formed close attachments and feel secure with one another (Amerivet, 2022). It is a way for cats to offer care and comfort to members of their social group. Having a grooming companion provides companionship as well as health advantages.
Sources:
Why Do Cats Lick & Groom Each Other? 6 Reasons Allogrooming Occurs
Why Do Cats Groom Each Other? Licking Behaviors & Reasons Explained
Security
Having another feline companion can provide cats with a sense of security and reassurance. Cats are naturally cautious animals that can often exhibit anxious behaviors like hiding when alone. According to experts, “cats prefer having company” and another cat “helps them feel secure” (source). The presence of another cat can give shy or timid cats more confidence. Research shows that cats housed with a partner display less stress behaviors compared to cats housed singly (source). Feline companions provide social support for each other and reinforce natural group-living instincts. Cats that have a bonded partner tend to exhibit lower cortisol levels, indicating less anxiety. Therefore, acquiring a second cat can potentially reduce stress and provide security benefits for a solitary cat.
Exercise
Having another cat in the home provides built-in exercise and activity for both cats. As social creatures, cats often initiate play with one another, wrestling, chasing, and engaging in other games that get their bodies moving. According to Everyday Health, “A pair of cats who get along well will get plenty of exercise through their own wrestling and chasing games.” They recommend pairing up exercise partners as one way to encourage more activity (source).
Regular exercise provides many health benefits for cats. It helps them maintain a healthy weight, build strength and agility, and release pent-up energy. Exercise also stimulates their minds through interactive play. Indoor cats especially need daily activity to stay physically and mentally fit. Having a feline companion provides built-in opportunities for exercise they may not get if living alone. The playmate acts as both a play initiator and exercise partner.
Risks
While there are many benefits to having two cats, there are also some potential risks to consider. One of the biggest risks is that the two cats may not get along and can be aggressive or competitive with each other. This is especially common if you adopt two cats that are not littermates. Cats can be very territorial, and adding another cat to the home can disrupt the existing cat’s territory, causing stress and anxiety. This can lead to fighting, hostile behaviors, urinating outside the litter box, and other problems (For more info see ASPCA).
It’s ideal to introduce cats slowly and properly when bringing a new cat home. However, some cats may never fully accept each other. Much depends on the cats’ personalities – a bold or dominant cat is more likely to be aggressive to a new cat. Two female cats may also be more prone to conflict than a male-female pair. If you decide to get a second cat, be prepared and patient during introductions, and don’t force interactions. Separating the cats into different areas of the home may be required long-term if they remain hostile (For more tips see VCA Hospitals).
Conclusion
In summary, the research indicates that most cats do benefit from having a feline companion. Cats are social animals and naturally seek out companionship for play, grooming, security and overall happiness. However, personality and age are important factors to consider when introducing a new cat. It’s best to choose a cat with a similar activity level and temperament so they get along harmoniously. Slow, gradual introductions over a period of weeks using scent swapping and separation is critical. With proper planning and patience, adding a second cat can double the fun and affection in one’s home. Clearly cats, like humans, are often happier and healthier when they have a compatible friend by their side.