Single Cat Question

[CiaoBellaXO]

Hello!
I am starting to feel so guilty about my lil man Jaxon...everyone I talk to tells me to get him a friend, that he is bored at home all alone. I spoil him to death and when I get home from work till I go to bed I am playing with him. I hope he is happy...but everyone seems to think he'd be a lot happier with a pal....but at this point I am not ready for another cat in the house. Is there anyone here that has only one cat? I just want him to be happy...but I feel like he is bored. Thoughts?

[kuhio98]

Kuhio was an "only child" for 17 years. Towards the end of her life, we realized that she was lonely and bored. We feel badly that she didn't have a furry brother or sister to keep her company when we were gone all day. We have been adopted by Halo, Cammie and Pepper now. I don't think we'll ever been single pet-owners again. They seem so much happier to have each other.

[catmandu]

personally,I think,that Cats,should be in pairs,as I think,that every Creature,needs someone,of his own kind,to play,and be with.And there are so many Wonderful Cats,that need a home.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/catmandu/catphotos1125.jpg

[jenluckenbach]

There are several solitary cat households here, I am not one of them though.

If you think the cat is happy and YOU are happy, why change what works for you?

On the other hand, 2 is a nice number? ;)

[momcat]

Hi! I have only one cat, Groucho, who is four years old and was adopted at seven weeks. He has been the king around here since the day we brought him home. There have been no problems with Groucho while we're gone. He sleeps, he plays, he sits in the window for hours at a time. Maybe it's his personality but Groucho seems to enjoy his alone time. Even when we're home he will often go into his pet carrier which is in a quiet, out of the way corner and always open. Cats seem to have this incredible ability to amuse themselves with the darndest things. They also are extremely territorial. Since your kitty is the only one, he most likely has staked a claim to your place as being his own. He may resent an "intruder" coming into HIS turf.

[Harley]

BeeBee was an "only cat" for the 19 1/2 years that we were together. I would have loved a companion for her, but she didn't like other people, dogs, and especially, other cats. If she even saw another cat through the window, she went berserk. "Flying solo" worked for her, but now I have 3 and absolutely love having a "multiple" family. I think they do keep each other company and they get along most of the time.

I think that as long as you give your cat plenty of love and interaction, it will be content and happy.

[catcrazylady]

No single cat here either but if you are happy and Jaxon is happy then don't worry about it. Some cats would prefer to be an only kitty. You have to take on the responsibility of another cat so you have to make the decision.
Personally, I think cats are very social and most of them like company, but that's not always the case.

[lisalee]

I have only one and he truly thrives on being the only one, he's very happy. I would love to have more cats but Sash is FeLV positive and I would worry so much about causing him any stress, that's my main reason I don't have another. Sash also has become quite irritated when he's seen other cats outside and attacked me then, so I know he wouldn't take to another kindly.

If your kitty is still young though it might work out, it's really up to you if you truly want another one, but I'm sure he's happy being the only one too.

[NoahsMommy]

I agree with the others...if you and Jaxon are happy, there's no need to add another cat. :)

When we first got our first cat, Noah, he was the type that needed another friend...he use to use ME as his kitty pal and that hurt! ;)

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Tubby was an only cat for a little over 2 years and he had no problems with it. Also, those 2 years were his kitten years when he was most active. Of course I'd come home from work to find the place in shambles since he had to entertain himself all day - one day I came home and every single cushion from the couch was on the floor! - but other than that he didn't seem to mind being alone at all. I also think that him being an only cat is part of the reason we bonded so much. It was just the two of us for those 2 years (no hubby or bf or anything like that) and I think back on those times fondly.

However, on the other hand, having two isn't really much more work than having one, it can be so much more entertaining at times and Jaxon would probably really enjoy having a friend around while you're away at work all day. But you have to be happy too, and if it's not the right time for another kitty then there's no sense in getting one. If you just keep your mind open and if an opportunity arises (like, say, if I happen to come across another overly friendly stray here at work ;) ) then you will know when the time is right for a friend for Jaxon.

Oh, and by the way, we're leaving this Friday for a week's vacation, but when we get back I'm going to go to that store you mentioned and get some of that food you mentioned. CJ is still having his diarrhea problems and it's time to start getting serious about doing something about it since nothing I'm doing is working. So once I get it I'll let you know how they like it and what I think of it. :)

[janelle]

When I had a single Siamese cat whenever we went away for a weekend and this was just overnight when we came home he cried and cried so see us back. It was hard to leave knowing he was so lonely.

Now with two cats when we come home they just look at us like oh you've come back. LOL

It was cute to think I was so important to the first kitty but I prefer it this way. No worrying if kitty is lonely or looking for me to come back. There is someone there to interact with and sleep with.

The have never been as close to me as the first one but it's a trade off and I feel better that they have each other.

[aki]

Chuck has been an only cat for almost 11 years. We did get a dog last year and he just loves her. They snuggle all the time. But if it was another cat, watch out. Hiss, growl and fur flying! He hates other cats. Would be a nightmare!

[pethop]

do you have any friends that have cats too? maybe u can have jaxon play with them.. or just to see what kind of cats he would get along with.

[DogLover9501]

Tigger was an only cat for about 7 years!

Almost 7 months ago we adopted Emma, and Tigger has changed alot. I didn't think he would like it at all, but I was very wrong.

He is alot more playful, he loves to watch Emma all the time, and they are even using the same litter box now.

I feel bad that I waited so long, and I'll probably always have atleast 2 kitties ;)

[janelle]

My sister had a dog that was getting up in years and could hardly get up and down the stairs. They adopted a dog that was abondoned on their country property and that dog got like a puppy again. She was running around with the other dog and it really helped her. We think it prolonged her life.

[CathyBogart]

My cat, Cupcake, has been an only cat for the last twelve years. She seems quite happy. Purrhaps she would like a friend to play with, but we don't want another cat right now and she gets lots of lovin' from her human family. :)

[nibblets]

Julie is a single kitty. We have a single dog. I am a single mom and my son is an only child. We are very singular in this house.
Buddy and Julie keep each other company during the day while we are at school and work. They seem to be content with the situation.

[Don Juan's mom]

Don Juan has been an "only cat" for the 4 years I've had him.

Now, I've applied to adopt a year-old female that I met at Petsmart on Saturday.

I've been thinking about a second cat for some time. I'm working more now, and Don Juan gets lonesome when I'm out all day. I don't have a spare room to segregate the newcomer, so I'm planning to spring for a large kennel for her. :rolleyes:

But now I'm worrying that I'll lose that special relationship I have with Don Juan. He sleeps with me, parks himself on my lap all evening, makes sure I eat a good breakfast and is at this moment draped over the top of my iMac.

Maybe if I also spring for his own carpet condom and a couple of new toys... :D

Liz

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Originally posted by Don Juan's mom
But now I'm worrying that I'll lose that special relationship I have with Don Juan.

Don't worry, Liz, your relationship with Don Juan may change a little, but if he is your shadow now he will more than likely remain your shadow when the newbie arrives. As a matter of fact, he may become even more of a velcro kitty due to jealousy. That's what happened with Tubby. When Peanut showed up, Tubby could not stand the idea of her in my lap so he was constantly by me and if she dared to jump up he would immediately chase her away - what a meanie. ;) :D

However, a carpet condom and a few new toys can't hurt.....;)

[Randi]

I have only one cat, and I understand your concern. I often think that Fister gets bored, but I really can't tell. At least I'm home with him most of the day. The times he's been around other cats, he's hissed and growled. The old male living in our back yard, he used to chase out of the gate when he was little, but now they just ignore each other. LOL!

Some cats are probably best off being only cats. :)

[cruisetime]

I adopted Meka from Animal Control Shelter back last October and she was over a year old. She was such a mess and we have lots of bahavior problems like biting and scratching and tearing up furniture and we tried everything but get her a companion. We thought maybe that a companion might give her someone to play with with all her energy and maybe teach her some manners. I ran out of other options so I thought if it was meant to be an orange, male, bobtail cat will be in a shelter close to me. - how likely is that? Well I called and sure enough Max was there - orange, male, bobtail cat. So Meka got a brother. Well I'm not sure it was a good idea or not. I has been 3 months and they still fight here and there. Watch each other like hawks. It is fun to watch them and he has taught her a few things but I'm afraid she might be teaching him her bad habits. BUT - that said Meka was very lonely when we would leave her for a weekend and right after we got Max my father in law went in the hospital in critical condition on the other side of town an 1-1/2 away so we had to leave them both alone a lot and I think this really helped Meka to have Max there or she would really have been lonely and upset. I'll let you know more in a few months - if you get another one just know it might take 6 months or more for them to get along. I'm not sure they will ever sleep together but maybe...... Debbie

[dragonchilde]

Don't feel badly about flying solo. Tinkerbell was an only cat for 13 years before we got another, and he still doesn't like the other cats. :)

He's definitely a "people" kitty. He liked my old dog, Sable, but really, he's happy with just us. He avoids the other two indoor kitties, and can't stand the outdoor kitties, so he's still perfectly happy being a loner.

[janelle]

I think one cat is fine if the owners are there with them a lot. But if the cat has to be alone a lot of time then another animal is good for them. Cat or dog. Just something to keep them company. Cats are loners but they can't be alone all the time.

My neighbors had a cat and it was mean, they got another cat and he made her mean so I think you also need time to socialize them to each other and to people. If you have children don't let them make your cat mean. Kids can be great for playing with the cat for company but if you don't have kids to chase the cat around the house to get that excercise than another cat will be great for that.

My sister's cat is getting big and chubby and it's a loner. No one to chase with. Her husband is there but when we get older we can't rough house with them like kittens want to do. They need companions to play with human or animal,

[carole]

It really does depend on the cat, My Ash would be quite happy being a single kitty in the household, he tolerates his adopted sister fine, but he really does not care for her much.

Ash is also getting on in years and prefers just to snooze all day, and I am home all day mostly, so he is not alone all the time, so age and personality comes into it., cats are no different to humans, some like company, some donot.

My Lexie is young only 2 years old, she loves cat company, and tries so hard to be friends with Ash, so for her cat company is important I think.

I also think that kittens should be adopted in pairs, especially if you are at work all day, as they do need companionship at this young age JMHO.

If you are not ready for another cat, then leave things as they are, only you know if your kitty seems unhappy, as the saying goes "If it ain't broken why fix it"?:)