Double the Purrs: Why Adopting Cats in Pairs is Purrfect
Thinking of adopting a cat? Bringing a feline friend into your home will be incredibly rewarding. And boy and girl, don't we know it. But have you ever considered adopting two cats at once? While it might seem daunting, adopting a pair of cats can offer a multitude of benefits for both you and your new companions. After all, there is a reason why cat lovers have multiple cats! I'll share my perspective on why this is the best way to grow your family while multiplying the joy.
Our Story: A Family of Cat Lovers, Born from Loving Chaos
We're not just a company but a family of passionate cat lovers. Our journey started with a whirlwind of feline energy – our first adopted cat as a couple, Katsumi. She was and still is brilliant, but let's be honest, a tiny tornado of destruction! Apple chargers, shoelaces, furniture, the socks drawer, you name it, she conquered it. She was returned twice to the shelter; we knew she needed a family to fight for her. We committed to her for life. Her high energy was so intense that we knew we had to find a solution. After much research and experience, we discovered that adopting a kitten to keep her company was the answer. It worked wonders! We learned our lesson: always adopt in pairs. That cat stayed in Chile with family when we moved to the US, but she still keeps her grandparents busy. And we learned the lessons that we want to share with you today.
Reasons to adopt them in pairs
It's better for the cats
- Playmates: Cats are social creatures, and having a feline friend to play with can significantly enrich their lives. They can engage in playful wrestling, grooming, and chasing games, keeping them entertained and stimulated. Just search for videos on social media about crazy kitten friends. After we adopted kittens to play with Katsumi (they were paired already), the three cats played so hard that they were running up the walls chasing each other. That sounds chaotic, but it was pretty fun to watch. And we were able to save some money on Apple products.
- Reduced Loneliness: Loneliness can lead to stress and behavioral issues for cats. Two cats can provide each other with constant companionship, reducing anxiety and boredom. This is very important. Suppose you are considering adopting a cat because you think they need minimal attention and should be able to remain alone the whole day while you are out. In that case, I would like to challenge your thinking and ask you to do more research on this topic. Because cats must be the most misunderstood creature on this front. They may be introverted, but they are not antisocial. They want love and company as much as any human.
- Increased Socialization: Growing up with another cat can help kittens develop critical social skills, such as appropriate play behavior and conflict resolution. We have seen this at another level with our cats Ryah and Nyah. Ryah was born blind (without eyes) and learned everything from her best friend and sister, Nyah. Wherever Nyah goes, Ryah follows. A Ryah adores her to the point of obsessive grooming. It breaks our hearts to imagine one without the other.
It's better for you
- Double the Love: Have you ever felt the blessing of a cat purring in your lap? Or the peace we feel when we wake up with one of them? Multiply that now, this time feeling like you belong to something truly special. It's not just double the purrs and cuddles. It's another level of wellness.
- Reduced Demands on You: While you may initially require more time getting everyone to settle into a new rhythm at home, in the long run, two cats can reduce your time demands. They can entertain each other, requiring less individual attention from you. They create less damage by looking for entertainment with other things.
- Cuteness overload: Witnessing the unique bond between two cats can be incredibly rewarding. Seeing cats bonding truly melts your heart because you made it all possible.
It's better for the Cats in Shelters
- Increased Adoption Rates: Many shelters often have difficulty finding homes for pairs of cats. Adopting two cats together can help them find loving homes and free up space for other animals in need. Especially those with special needs such as Ryah. Do the right thing.
- Reduced Stress for the Cats: Shelters can be stressful environments for cats. Adopting a pair can help them feel more secure and reduce their anxiety. The separation would severely affect their emotional well-being, especially if the kittens or cats were rescued together.
Tips for adopting in pairs - How to prepare for lovely chaos
Make proper introductions: If the cats have not met yet, introduce the cats gradually to ensure a smooth transition. There is a whole protocol for cat introduction. I'm dropping here a video to learn from the best.
Provide separate resources: If they don't know each other, initially, provide separate food and water bowls, litter boxes, and resting areas. If they were already paired, keep them in the same space at all times.
- Litter Boxes: A good rule of thumb is to have one litter box per cat, plus one extra. So, for two cats, you'll want three litter boxes. Place them in various locations around your home.
- Scratching Posts: Cats have claws. And they should keep their claws. Provide multiple scratching posts in different locations to satisfy their natural scratching instincts and prevent damage to furniture. Vertical and horizontal scratchers are good. I also suggest to clip their nails periodically from young age. You'll thank me later.
Food and Water Bowls: Ensure each cat has its own set of food and water bowls to prevent resource guarding. Remember to never place the water bowl or fountain next to the food.
- Resting Places: Cats love to have their own space. Provide multiple cozy beds and cat trees where they can retreat to high ground and observe their surroundings. Some cats love open cozy beds on the floor. Others like to rest on high ground. You'll get to know your cats over time. Just observe where they feel safe. In any case, if everything goes well, they will end up all on your bed at night ;)
Provide Vertical Space: Cats love to climb and explore. Provide cat trees, shelves, and window perches for vertical space. This is especially important when introducing two new cats, allowing them to establish their territories.
Assign Safe Zones: Create designated "safe zones" where cats can retreat if they feel overwhelmed or need some alone time. This could be a spare room, a closet, or even a cardboard box. Nyah, for example, learned to hide inside the laundry basket in our closet from our little kids. Making sure that's her safe space where kids or other strangers are not allowed is important to make them feel secure in their new environment.
Make time for play: Provide a variety of toys to keep them mentally and physically stimulated. Rotate toys regularly to keep things interesting.
Secure Your Home: Ensuring your home is cat-proofed is crucial for their safety and your peace of mind. This includes securing exits to keep them safely indoors, removing toxic plants, protecting wires, and preventing access to dangerous areas. Because cats will surprise you and kittens the most. They will get in the most incredible spaces, where you thought they wouldn't even fit.
Disclaimer: Adopting cats in pairs will demand more of you, so you must consider your lifestyle, living, and financial situation. Please make sure you have the time, resources, and space to care for two cats responsibly, including feeding them and taking them to the vet for all their vaccines and periodic check-ups. This is a big commitment, but the rewards are immeasurable.
In summary
Adopting two cats is truly rewarding. Thank you for investing time in educating yourself on the why and how. We do not doubt that if you leap, you'll give a loving home to two furry friends who will become part of your family and enrich your life.
Visit our website at www.yorusays.com to explore our full range of cat-friendly products and create a healthy home for your feline family. And help us further promote more adoptions!
