Cats are often kept in pairs or groups. If you have one cat and you’re tempted to get another, it’s difficult to predict if your current cat will accept another. Cats are socially flexible but still vary in how willing they are to welcome other cats into their territory.
Can two male cats get along? There’s little evidence to suggest that the sex of cats affects whether they get along with other cats as long as all the cats are spayed or neutered.
Are Male Cats Sociable?
Cats are family-oriented animals. In feral groups, cats tend to be related females and offspring, but that doesn’t mean that unrelated females, male-female pairs, or unrelated males can’t get along. It depends more on the age and personality of the individual cats than sex.
Overall, younger cats are more accepting of new cats. Adults are less flexible. A sociable adult cat will likely be friendly; likewise, a solitary adult cat will likely stay solitary and less willing to accept others.
Should I Get Another Cat?
If you have a kitten, it’s possible to bring in another kitten and have a pair that will bond strongly as they enter adolescence and adulthood.
If you have an adult cat that’s established in your home, then you may want to think carefully about getting another. The introduction period can take a while for both cats to be fully acclimated, and even if you do everything right, some adult cats will never accept another adult cat in their space.
Whether you get mixed-sex cats or same-sex cats, it’s important that they’re fixed. Aggression and fighting are more likely to occur with sex hormones flowing freely.
In addition, for adult females that are established as the sole cat in the household, it’s best to get a younger female. Males can be scary to females. Even a male kitten will grow into a rambunctious teenager that may annoy a female.
Females, in general, are less accepting of new cats, but young, sociable males are likely to bond with each other. If you have a young, active male, getting another could be a good option. Similarly, older neutered males may enjoy a male or female kitten.
How Can I Tell If My Cat Wants a Companion?
As mentioned, the individual cat’s personality has more influence than the cat’s sex. If your cat, male or female, shows aggression or fear when other cats are around, such as hissing and growling at feral cats or marking outdoors, it’s likely not the type to welcome another cat into its space.
If your cat was sociable with another cat, that doesn’t mean it will welcome a new one. Some cats are naturally easygoing and friendly, while others are more reserved. It’s possible that your cat got along well with that one cat but may have a conflict with another.
Ideally, try to match personality types when looking for a companion for your cat to ensure a harmonious environment for everyone.
Conclusion
Cats living in a social group are more likely to be influenced by their personalities, not their sex. Male cats often bond with other males, provided they are both social and young when introduced. Generally, cats are more social with other related cats, and females are less accepting of new cats than males of any age.
Featured Image Credit: AdinaVoicu, Pixabay
