Cats have a reputation for being somewhat aloof and more hands-off than dogs. Thanks to litterboxes, you can leave your cat alone for a day. However, all pet cats need social interaction to some degree. Some cats may get lonely without another cat in the home, especially if they previously had a feline roommate.
Read more about the signs of loneliness in cats and how to introduce a new cat to your resident pet.
How Do I Know If My Cat Is Lonely?
Cats aren’t always easy to read. Even the most loving cat can appear stoic or indifferent at times. Cats that are feeling lonely can display changes in their eating, grooming, litterbox, and play habits.1 But these signs can also indicate a health condition. Before you assume your cat is lonely, have them evaluated by your veterinarian.
Do Cats Get Lonely At Night?
You might wonder if your cat needs a companion to visit with at night. You need to sleep, but your cat keeps nudging and crawling on you. There is more to this behavior than loneliness.
Cats are crepuscular, not nocturnal.2 They are most active at dawn and dusk, then sleep off and on throughout the rest of the day and night. Today’s pet cats retain the instinct to have energy peaks during prime hunting time. But your cat doesn’t need to chase prey at 4:00 a.m., so they come to you instead.
Cats aren’t necessarily lonely at night, but they often have more energy when you’re trying to fall asleep, stay asleep, or start to wake up. There are many reasons to add another cat to your home, but you probably don’t want to get a second cat just because your cat wakes you at night. You might end up being woken up by both cats!
Are Some Cat Breeds More Affectionate Than Others?
While cats have their own unique personalities and preferences, some breeds have a reputation for being more affectionate than others. This desire for affection can lead to loneliness. Birmans, Abyssinian, Siamese, and Bombay cats are some of the purebreds that may benefit from feline companionship.
How Do I Introduce a New Cat to My Resident Cat?
If you add another cat to your home, there are ways to make the transition go smoother. First, try to find a new cat with a similar energy level. A playful kitten may not be the best feline friend for a senior cat who sleeps a lot. Second, the last thing you want to do is let a new cat have free reign of your home right off the bat. Exactly how you go about introducing a new cat to your resident cat will vary depending on how much space you have in your home.
You should introduce two cats in three phases: smelling, seeing, and touching. Ideally, you should initially keep a new cat in a separate room or area of your home. How quickly you transition through each phase is up to the cats. Even a lonely cat may not know what to make of his new roommate. Your veterinarian is a good resource for ideas on successfully adding a new cat to your home.
Conclusion
Some cats will get lonely without another cat in the house. Signs that your cat may be feeling lonely are a change in appetite, over- or under-grooming, and pooping or peeing outside of the litterbox. If you add another cat to your home, try matching their personality and activity levels. A younger, energetic cat may do best with a feline roommate with a similar temperament.
Featured Image Credit: medveda, Shutterstock
