August 5, 2024, 5:31 pm | Read time: 4 minutes

Happiness shared is happiness doubled, they say. Does this statement also apply to keeping cats? Are two cats always better than one? Should you perhaps even always keep them in pairs? PETBOOK explains.

Are cats happier in pairs?

The theory that domestic cats are generally loners is now considered outdated. As the owner of a single cat, some people now have to put up with the question: “What, you only keep one cat?” Some even go so far as to classify single cat ownership as contrary to animal welfare.

It is true that the small predators prefer to hunt alone, so they are indeed solitary hunters. But once the mouse has been caught and eaten, many cats like to snuggle up to a purring companion. Cats living together in a multi-cat household often groom or play with each other.

A fellow cat can make cats happy, especially if they are kept indoors

A playmate brings variety to everyday life, especially for cats kept exclusively indoors. While owners are at work, the four-legged friends can romp around together – boredom doesn’t stand a chance.

Solitary cats, on the other hand, can develop behavioral problems and may start scratching the sofa or wallpaper. Some even feel so uncomfortable alone that they become apathetic or messy. So, many cats are actually happier in pairs.

Is it generally better to keep cats in pairs?

Are you thinking about getting a cat? Then you should consider giving two of them a home. As already mentioned, many cats feel more comfortable in pairs than alone – especially if they don’t have access to the outdoors. Moreover, most animal shelters and breeders do not place kittens in single homes. Young animals, in particular, need contact with other cats to develop healthily and become well-socialized.

Do you already have a cat and are considering homing a second? Then, the situation is somewhat different. If the lone “prince” or lone “princess” has already lived alone for a long time and has had no other opportunity to meet other cats (e.g., on their daily walk through the garden), it may be that they now prefer to do without cat company. Getting two cats used to each other requires a lot of patience and sensitivity – there is no guarantee of success.

Tip: If you only want to keep one cat, it is best to contact your local animal shelter. The caretakers usually know their fosterlings well and know which cats do not tolerate other cats. It would be very stressful for a solitary cat to have to live with another cat. A single cat is, therefore, the better choice. But if you want to get a second cat, the local animal shelter can also help. The animal welfare officers will give you socialization tips and take the animal back if living together doesn’t work out.

What should I bear in mind if I want to keep two cats?

Keeping two cats is not much more complicated than pampering a single cat. Taking in two littermates is advisable: The animals already know each other and usually get on well together. However, close friendships are also formed between cats at the shelter so that they are only placed in pairs.

Did you know? A cat duo always needs one additional litter tray per animal in the household. The rule of thumb for the minimum number of litter trays in a multi-cat household is the number of cats plus one. And, of course, each cat needs its own bowl and a cozy basket.

For mixed-sex couples, at least one animal must be spayed or neutered to prevent unwanted offspring. If you follow these tips, nothing stands in the way of a long, happy cat life in a multi-cat household.

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Sources

• tierschutzbund.de, „Die Haltung von Katzen“ (accessed on 01/16/2024)
• vet-doktor.de, „Katze alleine halten oder zu zweit?“ (accessed on 01/16/2024)