How to Tell if Your Cat Wants Another Cat

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Have you started to wonder if your cat might be lonely at home? They get tons of love and fulfillment from cuddling up with you and your family, but it's true that cats have social needs, too. If your cat needs more socialization than your human family can offer, you'll notice certain behavioral symptoms. In this article, we'll help you determine whether or not your cat might want a furry friend, so you know when to adopt or foster another sweet cat. To discover whether or not your cat wants another cat, read on!

1

They’re clingy.

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    Cats, like most animals, have social needs that they need to fill through play, cuddles, and other interactions. If their needs aren’t being met, they may try their hardest to get this social stimulation from their relationship with you and other people. This may mean they: [1]
    • Follow you around the house constantly
    • Jump up onto your lap every time you sit down
    • Repeatedly nudge and rub against you.
    • Refuse to be away from you, even for a few minutes
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2

They’ve lived with another cat in the past.

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    Cats who have lived with other cats in the past, especially recently, are more likely to crave another cat’s company. If you rescued your cat from a busy shelter or you used to have another cat in the home, especially one that this cat got along well with, there’s a chance that your cat is missing that social outlet. [2]
3

They’re eating too much.

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    Lonely cats in need of a companion may suddenly start putting on weight. If they usually leave a little food in their bowl, their bowl might regularly be licked clean instead. It can be hard to know for sure whether your cat’s appetite has increased—other signs to look out for include: [3]
    • Increased thirst
    • Increased urination
    • Diarrhea
    • Vomiting
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4

They’re eating too little.

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    A lonely cat might show another classic sign of stress: loss of appetite. If you notice that your cat is no longer finishing their bowls of food or that they don’t run when you shake the treat bag, this could be a sign that they’re sad and in need of more socialization. Other signs of low appetite include: [4]
    • Drooling
    • Weight loss
    • Labored breathing
    • Bad breath
    • Red gums
5

Their energy levels are low.

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    Most cats become less energetic as they get older, but if you notice a sudden drop in your cat’s interest in play, that could also be a sign that they have a need that’s not being met. If you can’t get your cat to chase their favorite toy or they’re not all about chasing birds around the yard anymore, this could mean they're in need of a companion. [5]
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6

They’re overly energetic.

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    If your cat is constantly running, playing, or having the “zoomies” this extra energy could be a sign that they’re not getting enough socialization. And who better to help them get their energy out than another cat! [6]
7

They’re not grooming themselves well.

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    When a cat feels lonely, they may start showing signs of stress and dissatisfaction. Though cats are skilled at keeping themselves clean when their spirits are high, a lonely cat might start to smell bad, have dirty feet, have matted or loose hair, and they may start to look a little messy. [7]
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8

Their sleeping habits have changed.

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    Sleeping too much or too little can definitely be a sign that your cat is lonely and wishing they had a cat companion. For example, if your cat sleeps 12 hours a night and they suddenly start sleeping 18, that’s a sign of stress. [8]
    • It goes the other way as well. If you cat used to sleep much more than they do now, that's another sign of stress.
9

They’re showing destructive behaviors.

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    These could be signs that your cat facing extra stress, and that stress could easily come from a lack of socialization. If your cat suddenly starts getting hissing or biting animals and people, that could be a sign of loneliness. Or, if they start scratching and destroying furniture (when that behavior hasn't been common in the past) that’s another sign that they might want a cat friend in the house. [9]
    • If your cat is having trouble with scratching, make sure you have a scratching post for them to use first. If they aren't using it regularly, there are steps you can take to get them to use it .
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10

They’re having trouble with their litter box.

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    Your cat probably learned to use the litter box a long time ago. So if they suddenly start peeing and pooping all over the house, they may be expressing an unmet social need. Or, if they start kicking around litter or knocking over their box (when that’s uncommon for them), that could signal that a need for more daily socialization. [10]
11

They’re meowing constantly.

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    They may suddenly start meowing more, meowing louder, or meowing in sounds that you’ve never heard before. This could be your cats way of expressing their stress to you—and this could definitely be a sign that you pet is in need of another furry friend. [11]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I get my cat to accept a new cat?
    Russell Hartstein, CDBC, CPDT
    Certified Dog & Cat Trainer
    Russell Hartstein is a Certified Dog & Cat Trainer and CEO of Fun Paw Care in Los Angeles, California. With over 25 years of training, nutrition, boarding, and daycare experience, Russell and the Fun Paw Care team provide the most current, humane, and science-based methods utilizing force-free positive reinforcement to train and care for pets. Russell is an author for PetMD, Chewy, and Dogster. He is also regularly cited in publications from various organizations, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). He is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant with the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and a Certified Pet Dog Trainer. He received his bachelor’s degree in History and Economics from Binghamton University.
    Russell Hartstein, CDBC, CPDT
    Certified Dog & Cat Trainer
    Expert Answer
    Take it very slowly! Anoint different items with each other's scent and place them in different rooms while the cats are visually and audibly blocked from one another. Feed them separately, keep them in separate rooms, and make sure that you're providing enrichment for each cat individually. Then, very slowly start to open up that space using baby gates. This process takes a few months, depending on how long it takes one of them to warm up. Pay attention to how they interact with one another at that point—do you see them approaching in a friendly manner with no hissing, growling, or things of that nature? Or do they interact calmly and peacefully?
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      • Appetite, sleeping, and energy changes can also be signs of underlying conditions. Take your cat in for a check up with your vet, just in case. It's a good idea to get your cat checked prior to adopting a new pet anyway. So it's a win-win!
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      Thanks for reading our article! If you'd like to learn more about cat behavior, check out our in-depth interview with Russell Hartstein, CDBC, CPDT .

      References

      1. ↑ https://cleverpetowners.com/how-to-tell-if-your-cat-wants-another-cat/
      2. ↑ https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/do-cats-mourn
      3. ↑ https://www.nehumanesociety.org/for-pet-owners/behavior-help/stressed-cats.html
      4. ↑ https://humanesocietyofmacomb.org/is-my-cat-stressed-3-quick-signs-to-look-for/
      5. ↑ https://www.nehumanesociety.org/for-pet-owners/behavior-help/stressed-cats.html
      6. ↑ https://cleverpetowners.com/how-to-tell-if-your-cat-wants-another-cat/
      7. ↑ https://www.nehumanesociety.org/for-pet-owners/behavior-help/stressed-cats.html
      8. ↑ https://cleverpetowners.com/how-to-tell-if-your-cat-wants-another-cat/
      9. ↑ https://humanesocietyofmacomb.org/is-my-cat-stressed-3-quick-signs-to-look-for/
      1. ↑ https://www.nehumanesociety.org/for-pet-owners/behavior-help/stressed-cats.html
      2. ↑ https://ontariospca.ca/spca-professional/shelter-health-pro/environmental-needs-and-behavioural-health/animal-assessment/stress/recognizing-stress/

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