The sight of leaving your cat all alone in the house may be a familiar one for you. You want to give your beloved feline the time and attention it deserves, but your busy schedule is not making space for that. Your actions toward your cat make you feel guilty, and you are left wondering —Is it cruel to have one cat?
It is not cruel to have one cat. Cats are independent by nature, however having adequte time and interactions are essential for their well-being and happiness. By nature, cats don’t socialize in packs. They can do well without having a companion.
In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of having just one cat. We will also supply answers to frequently asked questions about owning just one cat. Finally, we are also going to share tips on how to make a single cat lonely.
Is Having Only One Cat Okay
Having only one cat is okay. Cats are very social animals. They can survive on their own without any problems.
If you are not the very active type, getting just a single cat is nice. However, it is quite natural for cats to want some company.
If you can cope with the responsibilities of having two or more cats, you can become a multi-pet owner.
It’s not cruel having just a single pet. As a single cat owner, you must ensure the needs of your feline are being met. The need for entertainment must especially be met.
From the maintenance perspective, it is easier to maintain a single cat than care for multiple ones.
Having two cats means buying double food, getting extra toys, and two or more litter boxes.
Is It Better To Have 1 Or 2 Cats
Generally, its better to have 2 cats. A pair of cats are usually healthier than just one single cat. A pair of cats are known to entertain each other.
A pair of cats do better than a single cat because they tend to get more exercise. A bonded pair of cats play and run together.
If you own a single cat, there are no toys you can buy that can compare to having a natural partner for your feline. A pair of cats get a lot of exercise, which limits the risk of some diseases.
The research found that a bonded pair of cats learn from each other. Just as humans learn valuable social skills from one another, cats do the same thing.
If you have a stubborn single cat, you might choose to adopt another cat with a history of good behavior. The stubborn cat would learn from the well-behaved cat.
Are Cats Happier In Pairs
Research has shown that cats are generally happier in pairs. The social nature of cats makes them crave a companion within the home.
However, the fact that they love companions doesn’t mean a single cat can not survive all by itself. They become happier in pairs.
Great caution should be exercised when you decide to introduce another adult feline into your home. Cats are territorial by nature. Introducing another adult cat into the home can lead to fighting between the two adult cats.
Above all, what will dictate if your cat would welcome another feline into the home is its personality. Some cats are more welcoming than others.
You might conduct some mini investigations before introducing a new cat into your home. Put your cat amid other cats —does he display excessive aggression, or is he happier with the new group?
The above test could give you a hint of how your feline would behave when a new cat is introduced.
Do Single Cats Get Lonely
Single cats get lonely when they lack things to keep them entertained and stimulated. If a single cat does not receive the proper attention from its owner, the cat gets bored.
When a cat is bored or lonely, this might lead to other health challenges. As you know, a happy cat is a healthy cat. Loneliness in cats brings about the worst kind of behavior in them.
If you have a single cat, there are ways to keep your feline mentally stimulated. The following items can keep your feline mentally stimulated:
● Food puzzles and toys
● Cat specific furniture
● A room with a view
● Fish tank fun
● Cardboard boxes
The above items provide entertainment for your cat in your absence. For example, a fish tank provides visual entertainment for your feline. However, ensure your cat has no way of gaining access to the fish tank.
To help your cat deal with loneliness, you can also provide a cat television that keeps him entertained. If you have a senior cat that rarely jumps around, a cat television proves very useful.
Are Cats Sad When They Are Home Alone
Cats become sad when they are left all alone. Cats exhibit signs of separation anxiety when left all alone. Signs of separation anxiety include:
● Excessive meowing or crying
● Excessive self-grooming
● Destructive attitude
● Not eating well
The most frustrating sign of separation anxiety in cats is defecating outside the litter box. Have you ever experienced your feline defecating on your bed or in your shoe? It can be frustrating experiencing such things.
Another sign that shows your cat is sad being at home alone is that —he becomes overly excited when you return home after the day’s work. He’s been bored, and he’s glad you are back!
When it is impossible not to leave your cat behind, make sure he has more than enough food to eat. In addition, get rid of all objects that can injure your feline.
Protect your feline from dangerous chemicals, sharp objects, cables, and plants. Even if your cat is sad for being left alone, make safety a priority. Loneliness can be fixed, but there’s no remedy for the death of a pet.
If you notice any strange behavior in your cat that seems strange, schedule a meeting with your veterinarian to discuss the change in your cat.
Keeping A Single Cat Happy – 5 Tips
Keeping a single cat happy requires work and dedication. Just like humans, cats have social interactions to thrive. The need for social interaction must be met in other ways.
The following are the five tips you can employ to keep your cat happy:
Play with your cat every day
One of the best ways to show affection for your cat is to give him your time and attention.
It is recommended to play with your cat twice a day for 10 minutes. You don’t necessarily have to play with your feline for 24 hours a day.
For example, you can make your feline chase laser light. Incorporate a game that brings the natural hunting skills of your feline.
Teach your cat how to use a scratching post
An excellent way to keep your cat happy is to buy a scratching post and encourage your cat to use it. Cats are known to be comfortable and tall.
To keep your cat happy, buy a tall cat tree with a lot of places to scratch. Buying this for your cat will keep him mentally stimulated.
Create a hiding place
To keep your cat happy, you should create a haven for him within the home. A hiding place provides a place for him to hide from perceived dangers.
To create a hiding place, you can place empty cardboard boxes at strategic locations around your home. You can also choose to leave a closet door open for your cat to unwind.
Create a bird viewing station
Creating a bird viewing station for your single feline keeps him entertained when you are not at home.
Cats are naturally attracted to birds and small mammals. You can indulge this natural attraction by creating a window perch for your cat to be entertained.
Exercise your cat’s hunting skills
Cats are naturally curious animals. To keep your cat mentally stimulated, try to make him hunt for stuff around the house.
For example, you can decide to hide freshly fried meat within the house. Since cats have a strong sense of smell, your cat would then be forced to search for the treat.
This kind of hunting exercise keeps your single cat happy.
Things To Consider
Adopting two cats has more advantages than having just a single cat. As people often say —two is always better than one.
There are pros and cons associated with owning two or more cats. Let’s consider these pros and cons:
Pros of having two cats
Owning two cats yourself provides tangible benefits for you and the cat itself. When you own two cats in your home, you bother less about boredom concerning your cat.
The following are the advantages of having two cats:
● The two cats play with each other, thereby entertaining each other
● Lessens boredom and anxiety faced by both of them.
● Watching two cats struggle or compete for food and space can be fun to watch.
Cons of having two cats
We’ve examined the benefits or pros of having two cats in your home. Let’s examine the cons as well:
● Increased expenses; double toys and a double portion of food.
● Increased responsibility
● Both cats might not get along with each other.
Before getting a cat companion for your cat, consider you have more than enough space to accommodate both of them.
To guard against chaos within your home,
it’s recommended to adopt cats of similar ages at the same time.
My name is James, and welcome to FAQCats!
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