Adopting 2 Cats at Once Is Easier
I recently adopted a female tabby cat from the Arizona Humane Society. Before I adopted CeCe, I inquired as to whether it was better to have two males or a male and a female. I wanted to find a cat that was compatible with my cat Benny. I was told it didn’t matter. I’m beginning to think it does because Benny has become aggressive towards CeCe which has surprised me. He’s really a big teddy bear but for some reason he’s been acting up.
I introduced the cats slowly. In fact, CeCe developed an upper respiratory infection even though she was only at the Arizona Humane Society for four days. I kept her separated from Benny for over one week. As she got better, my vet said it would be all right for her to be around Benny. He was ok at first, but then all holy hell broke loose.
Benny was an only cat, and I recently found out that it may be better to have a one cat household. I was taken aback by this because most people have two or more cats. Plus, I’ve read on the internet that it’s best to have two cats so they don’t get lonely. Is this another myth about cats? I was told at the Arizona Humane Society that cats are territorial. If they’re territorial, how could you have two cats?
If you want to adopt a cat, you may consider getting two from the same litter. This way you’ll have a brother and brother or a brother and sister. Your life will be much easier versus going and adopting a cat from a Humane Society and praying to God that they get along.
Unfortunately, adopting a cat isn’t like adopting a dog. The Humane Society allows you to bring your current dog with you to see if he/she will be compatible with a dog you’d like to adopt. They won’t allow you to bring your current cat because they are territorial and it may be too stressful for them. I’m not sure I agree with this. Then again, there is the upper respiratory infection to consider. But, dogs at a Humane Society are known for getting “kettle cough.” Go figure!
If you’re considering getting a cat, you may want to get two from the same litter. It may be easier than getting one cat and then deciding further down the road to adopt another one. When introducing a new cat, be patient. It will take time. It’s just like bringing a new born baby home to meet its older brother or sister. Things may not go smoothly at first, but eventually it will get better!
Rebecca
