Cats can get lonely and bored when left alone for lengthy intervals of time—a bored and lonely cat can result in harmful behaviors, which is one thing no cat proprietor desires. Separation anxiousness in cats is a giant consider harmful behaviors, but when your cat has a feline buddy to pal round with within the dwelling, it might assist diminish these undesirable behaviors. So, will a second cat assist with separation anxiousness? The reply is that it will depend on your cat.
Let’s discover this subject to seek out out if including a second cat to your tribe can be helpful or not.
Ought to I Get One other Cat?
Cats are instinctively territorial and including one other cat could take time in your different cat to get used to, particularly in case your different cat has been the only feline within the family for a very long time. Nevertheless, this doesn’t imply your different cat is not going to ultimately settle for the opposite cat in time. Cats which can be extra affectionate with their homeowners could also be extra accepting of one other cat sooner versus a cat that retains to himself. However, in case your cat is extra apt to maintain to himself and doesn’t have separation anxiousness, you in all probability don’t want one other cat within the first place until you simply need one for different causes.
Cat homeowners should think about prices earlier than committing to including one other cat. You’ll have to double the charges for every part, from litter bins and cat meals to veterinary bills. Guarantee you could have the funds to herald one other cat so that you’re not wired with the state of affairs. Including one other cat needs to be helpful to your different cat, however you could guarantee you possibly can financially add one other kitty. If it’s not cost-effective so as to add one other cat, guarantee your kitty has loads of bodily and psychological stimulation to maintain separation anxiousness at bay.
The underside line is that if your cat is left alone for lengthy intervals resulting from everybody being gone all day for work or different obligations, including one other cat might be significantly helpful in your lonesome kitty.
How Will I Know My Cat Needs One other Cat?
After all, in case your cat is displaying indicators of separation anxiousness, that may be a signal your cat can profit from having a feline buddy to play with. Cats are social creatures and might kind bonds with different cats or pets, and figuring out the indicators your cat could also be lonely will enable you decide if including one other cat is so as.
Indicators to search for are as follows:
- Clinginess
- Consuming an excessive amount of or too little
- Extreme grooming or change in grooming habits
- Harmful habits
- Uncommon sleeping habits (sleeping an excessive amount of)
- Urinating or defecating exterior the litter field
In case your cat reveals any of those indicators, take him to the vet for a checkup to make sure a medical problem isn’t inflicting the issues.
The way to Introduce a New Cat to Your Cat
As we’ve talked about, cats are instinctively territorial, and your cat could initially view the brand new cat as a risk. Nevertheless, you possibly can take sure steps to make the introduction easy so {that a} bond can kind between the 2 cats. Let’s have a look.
First, think about your present cat’s age. Attempt to undertake a cat that’s shut in age to your present cat and with the identical power stage. In case your cat has by no means been round different cats earlier than, it could take just a little longer for the 2 cats to acclimate to at least one one other. That stated, it’s essential to go gradual with the method, as it’s going to repay in the long term.
Once you plan to carry the brand new cat dwelling, you need to get them checked by a veterinarian beforehand. After the brand new cat has been cleared by the vet, the preliminary step needs to be to separate the cats for a couple of days. After the brand new cat has been cleared by the vet the preliminary step needs to be to separate the cats for some days. Hold the brand new cat in a room your present cat doesn’t spend a lot time in. This permits the 2 cats to get acquainted with one another’s scent and in your present cat to slowly get used to a different cat within the dwelling. Swap the cat’s bedding sometimes to permit them to get much more used to one another’s scent. You’ll want to play and provides consideration to each cats throughout this separated stage, as it will scale back any stress they might have.
After a couple of days, attempt exposing the cats however maintain them separated by a child gate or another contraption in order that they will see one another. You might discover hissing and growling, however that is regular normally. Reward each cats if they appear tolerant of one another off the bat. Repeat this course of a number of instances a day. If the state of affairs ever goes south, separate the cats and repeat the steps above.
Needless to say it could take a couple of weeks and even months earlier than the 2 cats get used to one another. So long as you go gradual, the 2 cats ought to ultimately grow to be friends or no less than tolerate and accompany one another—although you by no means know with cats!
Conclusion
Including a second cat can undoubtedly help with separation anxiety and assist ease boredom and loneliness in your present cat. Nobody desires their kitty beneath stress and anxiety, and in case your cat has a feline buddy to share the house with, it could actually assist immensely.
Keep in mind to go slow with the introduction process, and with time, the transition ought to go easily. If you happen to run into snags, seek the advice of your veterinarian for extra strategies.
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