Last updated Apr 11, 2023
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Domestic cats, like many feline species, are a mix of social and solitary. They are territorial and hunt alone rather than in packs, but also participate in social rituals such as collaborative feeding of young kittens, social play, and allogrooming. So, it is common for single cat owners to wonder if cats get lonely without the company of other cats.
It can be difficult to tell if a solitary cat is happy on their own, or if they crave feline company. Often, it comes down to individual preferences. For example, young, active kittens have greater social needs than older adults.
This article explores the social needs of cats, and whether you should consider getting a friend for your cat.
Cats are social creatures, but are also territorial and have individual social needs. Some cats are happy to have other cats as companions, while others prefer to be solitary. There are steps that cat owners should take when introducing a new cat into a home that already has a cat, in order to avoid stress and conflict.Quick Overview
The Social Structure Of Feral Cats
When forming social bonds, kittens will most likely bond with other kittens from the same litter.
Felines are generally solitary hunters and eaters and have a highly territorial nature. These facts do not lend themselves to developing great social skills, and many feline species, such as tigers, are often solitary.
However, our domestic cats do have the potential to be social animals, just as lions, who live in groups of other lions called “prides.” Unlike dogs, who live in large packs in the wild, feral cats often form small colonies. These colonies are groups of cats that live near a known food source.
These groups are made up of female cats and kittens. They co-parent and share resources. These colonies cooperate best when the cats are familiar with each other, and there is plenty of food to go around. Close bonds can form between cats, though most often between kittens and their mother, and between kittens of the same litter.
Male cats do not tend to be part of these groups and are more likely to be loners. Their territory may overlap with that of a colony, but male territories are considerably larger, depending on the availability of food and females.
Also Read: 15 Facts You Should Know About Feral Cats
How Does This Compare To Domestic Cats?
Cats that remain playful in adulthood are more likely to enjoy the companionship of other cats.
Our cat companions have remained similar in many ways to their wildcat ancestors. However, pet cats have also adapted to live in blissful domesticity with their human companions. Feline behavior can be quite flexible – genetics, early environment, and social influences all play a role in the temperament and personality of each individual cat.
Cats certainly enjoy companionship: with their own kind, with another pet, or with a human family member. Many cats appear to be social, actively seeking out a feline or human companion. Still, other cats are happy to be solitary.
Kittens are more likely to have social needs. They require playmates to help them learn about social interaction and hunting skills and provide both physical and mental stimulation at this highly active age. Kittens form special bonds with their littermates, but can also bond with kittens from separate litters.
As kittens transition into adulthood, some maintain this youthful love of play and social interaction. Others are happy in single-cat households.
Also Read: How To Introduce A New Kitten To An Older Cat
Should I Get A Second Cat?
Kittens tend to form more positive bonds with a new cat in the home than adult cats, although it is always individual to each cat.
This is a tough one, as it is really hard to predict which cats will get along together, and which ones would be happier alone. Some cats show signs of loneliness, such as hiding away, giving a plaintive meow, or displaying clinginess to their owners. There can also be symptoms of boredom in single cats, such as destructive behavior and excessive vocalization.
Cats most likely to benefit from a feline companion are those who are naturally playful or social, have experience being with other cats or kittens when young, and are not showing signs of stress or anxiety.
Kittens often bond better with a new cat than an adult cat would, so early introductions are best. Cats who are left alone for long periods of time also benefit from companionship, especially if they display separation anxiety or destructive behavior – although this is not a cure for these complex behavioral issues.
Adult cats who have been solitary for much of their lives, or who were separated early from their mother and litter mates may find a new cat to be difficult addition to the household. Cats who show signs of stress, such as hiding away, litter box issues, excessive grooming, or loss of appetite may find a disruption to their schedule and environment by a second cat an added stress rather than a pleasure.
Also Read: 5 Reasons You Should Get A Second Cat (And 3 You Shouldn’t)
Making Introductions
Introducing a new cat into a home that already has a cat should be done slowly and step-by-step.
If you decide on adding an extra feline family member to your home, take some time to choose appropriately. The best pairings tend to be cats of similar age – and therefore a similar energy level. Kittens just want to play, whereas an older cat will spend a large proportion of the day having a nap or two (or three!) – try and find a new cat who fits the routine and needs of your existing pet.
Introducing a new cat to a household must be done carefully to nurture a positive inter-cat relationship. There are some simple steps to follow to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible for all concerned.
1. Preparation And Arrival
Sharing resources like food, water, litter boxes, toys, and beds can be an issue for domestic cats.
Cats are territorial. So, a good way to ruin a new relationship is to place a new cat straight into the existing cat’s territory. Set up a separate area for the new cat initially. This place should be somewhere that your other cat doesn’t go much.
Make sure the new cat has all the resources they need. Remember that cats don’t like to share. Provide food, water, a litter box, hiding places, a bed, a scratching post, and cat toys. Use a synthetic pheromone spray such as Feliway to help your new cat feel reassured and safe when they arrive.
Let the new cat settle into their new home. This may take a week or two, so patience is important. The items in their area will gradually take on their scent, marking the room as their territory.
Also Read: What Are Cat Pheromones And Do They Really Work?
2. Scent Swap
Cats have an amazing sense of smell and use this sense to communicate.
The first introductory step between your two cats should be via scent only. Start by taking some bedding from one cat and giving it to the other, and vice versa. This should be repeated until the cats gradually show less interest in the unfamiliar item, as they are becoming accustomed to the scent of the other cat.
Then, allow them in turn to investigate each other’s area, whilst the other cat is taken somewhere else. This allows each cat to understand the limits of each other’s territory, and become more immersed in their individual scents.
Also Read: What Scents Do Cats Hate? This List Might Surprise You
3. Visual Contact
When introducing cats to each other, allow them to see each other in neutral “territory.”
The next stage is to allow the cats to see each other. Preferably, this should take place in neutral territory, with both cats having the option to escape if they wish. Keep sessions short and use treats and praise as rewards to ensure they are kept positive. This stage should be repeated until both cats appear calm when they see each other.
4. Free Contact
Never rush the introduction of a new cat to an existing cat in the home, as this will likely cause stress and unwanted behavior.
Finally, the big moment! Your cats should now be ready to meet. Initially, keep these interactions fairly short, and always supervised. If all goes well, free and unlimited contact for longer periods of time should naturally follow as the cats should already be fairly used to each other.
If you feel at any point that the introductions aren’t going well, go back to the previous step and spend more time on that stage. Professional help from a qualified animal behaviorist is a good idea if you are struggling to introduce a new cat successfully.
A common reason for inter-cat aggression is competition for resources. Keep food and water bowls away from each other and easily accessible to both cats. Provide plenty of litter boxes, beds, toys and even things like a cat tree may not be well-shared.
If your cats are left together for extended periods of time, make sure there is plenty of enrichment such as puzzle feeders or activity toys so that they don’t become bored or frustrated.
Also Read: How Do Cats Communicate With Each Other? A Veterinarian Explains
Cats And Loneliness: Summing Up
Cats, like people, are individuals. Knowing and understanding your cat will help you decide if they need a feline companion or not.
Cat behavior is a funny mix of solitary and social, which makes their inter-feline relationships difficult to predict. Mother and kitten family groups tend to be highly social, but adult cats (especially males) are often more solitary.
Cats can certainly be happy as a single cat, but they are a social species, and many will appreciate having a companion. Introducing a new cat can be daunting, but taking the process slowly and step-by-step is the best route to success.
Also Read: 12 Signs Of An Extremely Happy Cat
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it OK to have just one cat?
Cats can be happy as solitary pets but need social interaction from their owners to fulfill their social needs. They also require plenty of enrichment if left alone for a period of time, such as toys, puzzle feeders, and climbing trees.
Do cats get bored without another cat?
Cats need social interaction of some form, either through another pet or their owners. They also need to be kept active both physically and mentally to prevent boredom. If they are solitary, they need some active playtime and enrichment such as a cat tree or puzzle feeder and some human company.
Does a single cat get lonely?
Cats are social creatures and need some form of interaction. They can happily exist as single pets in their home but require plenty of human companionship, play, and enrichment in their home environment.
