Do Cats Get Lonely, Or Do They Need Other Cats?

It depends on several variables, including personality and age. Is it true that cats are aloof and uninterested in associating with other cats? Do cats become lonely and require company?

Domestic cats live in various environments, from jungles to grasslands, as solitary hunters or in pride. Do cats follow the societal norms of tigers or lions, or are they loners like them? According to experts, the answer can be yes and no, depending on the situation and the cat. Do cats get sad and lonely, or do they need other cats? We attempted to address these questions by speaking to some professionals in the field.

• Are cats lonely? Or are they happier living alone? Domestic cats are solitary when they hunt and eat; it is essential to recognize this in answering the question, "Are cats lonely?". In contrast, dog packs to hunt. Cats don't like eating near each other, and it isn't a good idea for cats to eat near each other, according to Marilyn Krieger, a cat behavior specialist in the San Francisco Bay area. "Cats must eat, but they aren't pleased when they do. It is a little stressful," says Krieger, also known as The Cat Coach.

Cats have social requirements other than meals. While some cats dislike other cats so much that they cannot coexist with other cats, some feral cats associate in colonies, and pet cats often become friends.


According to Dr. Leticia M.S. Dantas, D.V.M., M.S., Ph.D., a veterinarian and diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists at Athens' University of Georgia Veterinary Teaching Hospital's Behavioral Medicine Service, feral cats have several complex social and cooperative behaviors, including caring for one another's offspring. Strangers are usually not welcome, confusing. The group is usually formed by a queen and her offspring that chose not to leave, not newcomers.


Do pet cats get lonely in a one-cat household? Dr. Dantas suggests that domestic cats are social animals. Domestic cats have a territorial nature, even as adults. Krieger concludes that cats can be buddies because they want to be, not because they must be. Despite this, cats can survive alone, even if that is not their first choice, according to Krieger.


To answer the question "Do Cats Get Lonely?" is YES - if they are kittens. 


Kittens primarily yearn for playmates and especially bond with their littermates as kittens. However, even if you acquire cats from distinct litters, they are likely to become instant buddies.


According to Krieger, the best way for kittens to learn social skills is to interact and play with one another. "Most kittens get along well together," she says. However, Dantas warns that although kittens are generally more socially adaptable, specific individuals may be uncomfortable around strangers.


Matching Another Cat Compatible With Your Cat


Are your cats seeking solitude (a cat separated from her siblings when she was young and sought attention) or company? According to Krieger, your cat may be needy and desperate for attention but will not interact well with other cats. To determine if two cats will get along, you must be aware of their histories.


According to Dantas, having grown up with other cats is not a guarantee of successful coexistence. "Cats that interact well with other cats, are habituated to other cats from an early age, and do not exhibit clinical signs of fear or anxiety are more likely to succeed," she says. "Cats, on the other hand, have been shown to express higher levels of aggression when coexisting with other cats," she says. "According to the research, this is attributable to the fact that cats are somewhat neurotic animals that don't like to share their space with others."


When adopting a feline friend for your cat, look for one of a similar age, as this will ensure a similar energy level. An older cat will be pestered and tormented by a kitten seeking to play and explore his world with manic energy, says Krieger. A cat's job is sleeping, whereas a kitten's job is playing and exploring. If you want an older cat and a kitten, get two kittens so they can play and let their older uncle relax. Otherwise, look for an older companion for your adult cat.


Read next: Top 10 Cat Sitting Dos and Don'ts


How To Introduce Your Cat to Other Cats


"How do I introduce two cats?" is the following query when you ask, "Do cats get lonely?" According to Kreiger, cats "can … become very close companions." You should introduce adult cats correctly if you want them to become good friends.


Dantas recommends keeping cats apart at first to ensure a positive introduction. This will allow them to become accustomed to one another's sounds and scents, which should reduce neuroendocrine stress. Each cat should have a food bowl and litter box, and positive encounters should accompany introductions, for example, treats.


How To Get A New Companion For Your Grieving Cat


Are cats sad, and do they get lonely— after their longtime companion passes away? The loss leaves a gap in your and your remaining cat's life when a cat dies. The question is how soon cat parents and their resident cats should look for new companionship. Krieger and Dantas recommend giving your cat (and yourself) time to grieve and stabilize. This may take weeks or several months.


Dantas says that cats form bonds but form no other social bonds. "Because a bond can only be formed with the cats they are bonded with," he says, "Cats cannot transfer it to other individuals." Even though your cat is lonely, Krieger recommends that you wait before adding another cat to the household. "They can sense that this cat is not their buddy," she says. "They can pick out this cat is unfamiliar based on its scent, appearance, and everything else."


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