Cat Lonlieness — Are Two Cats Better Than One? Yes, But…

Anthony Verrelli
6 min readOct 10, 2023

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I’m sitting with my cats after coming home from a long trip and wondering: Do cats get lonely without other cats? If I hadn’t adopted two kitties, would one inevitably feel alone?

Cats are known for their independent nature because they generally require less maintenance than dogs and because during long work days, most cats are perfectly content left alone.

But like any social creature, they have socialization needs.

For example, I never thought my two rescue cats and sisters really cared much for each other’s company. After all, they spent most of the day apart.

While I can certainly say one of my cats doesn’t mind the separation, the other goes searching for her sister every night. And every night, I can hear her howl a little instrumental of meows — which, yes, is very loud — until she’s reunited.

The point is, while some cats prefer to be alone, many have social personalities and depend on the company of fellow felines — especially if they’ve formed a strong bond with their siblings prior to adopting.

In this article, we will explore the concept of cat loneliness and whether cats truly get lonely without another feline companion.

Understanding Cat Behavior And Social Structure

Cats are descendants of solitary hunters, and their natural instincts drive them to establish territories and mark their presence.

However, they are also social animals that require interaction and companionship.

So, while they may not rely on social groups like dogs, cats do form social hierarchies and engage in social behaviors.

Feline Hierarchy and Solitary Behavior

In the wild, cats have a complex social structure. They can be solitary or live in small colonies with a dominant male and subordinate females.

This social structure can vary depending on factors like food availability and population density.

But domesticated cats have adapted to living in human homes, and their social behavior has evolved accordingly — meaning most cats have adapted to living solitary lives with either one or two (or sometimes no) — other animals in the house.

Cat Loneliness Signs

Whether your cat meows non-stop but is completely healthy, destroys furniture, or alters their eating habits — these are all signs your cat wants another cat.

I. Excess meowing

If you own a cat, you’re probably no stranger to the yowl: an eerie, drawn-out meow that often sounds like no noise a cat should make — outside of mating.

They can make these distressing sounds as a plea for help if they’re feeling sick or stuck in a closet.

But a more common reason they yowl is to seek attention and companionship, either from you or a fellow cat — and especially at night, which brings up an important side point.

Do cats like being alone at night?

In short, cats are crepuscular (meaning they are most active at dust and down), so as long as you’re providing an open environment with toys or distractions to ease their boredom, they’ll probably enjoy the nighttime.

In lieu of a second cat, this tip should alleviate that sense of loneliness your cat gets once the humans go to sleep!

II. Destructive behavior

Lonely cats may engage in destructive behavior as a way to alleviate their boredom and frustration. Some scratch furniture; others chew on household items, unroll the toilet paper, or engage in aggressive play.

III. Change in appetite and strange grooming habits

It’s hard to imagine that cats might lose interest in food when they feel lonely — it’s the total opposite of us! — but in fact they can. This is usually a response to emotional distress or even depression.

Likewise, some cats may lose interest in their normal grooming routine. Look for signs of under-grooming like scruffy fur or tons of split ends; even their scratching post becoming less important to them can mean trouble if it’s not typical behavior.

They may gradually start eating more out of boredom or groom a certain spot — like under the armpit — until it starts scabbing. Just be aware and ask yourself if that behavior’s normal for your cat.

Although not listed, here are three more signs of cat loneliness:

  • Increased aggression
  • Increased clinginess
  • Missing the litter box

Why Might A Cat Be Lonely?

Several factors can influence a cat’s boredom or loneliness at home. Below are some of the more common reasons.

1. Lack of Social Interaction

Cats are social animals — just not in the same way dogs are — and long periods of isolation can cause them to feel lonely. While many cats are okay with our modern 8-hour workdays, some simply aren’t.

II. Absence of Feline Companionship

I get it — most people don’t like adopting two cats right off the bat. You may live in a small apartment, have other pets, or only want one cat for the time being.

While many cats are content to be the sole pets in the household, others truly benefit from the companionship of another cat.

This is especially true if the cat has bonded with another cat in its litter; you never want to separate close siblings!

III. Changes in Household Dynamics

When cats feel change, they often isolate themselves as a form of coping.

Major changes in a cat’s household, such as the loss of a human or animal companion, moving to a new home, or the arrival of a new family member, can disrupt their social dynamic — leading to a very lonely cat.

Why Having A Multi-Cat Home Helps

Sometimes we (falsely) believe that our attention is all a cat needs. While this is true for some cats, equally as many want or prefer feline companionship over ours — I know, it hurts!

Adding another cat to the house can reduce separation anxiety, mimic the feline natural social structure, and encourage exercise. Let’s dig into each!

I. Reduces separation anxiety

Cats will often yowl at night once the humans go to sleep or during the day when they leave for work — this is basically your cat expressing that it’s anxious (though it can mean other things).

Another cat, especially a sibling, can provide companionship while the house is quiet. It’s always a blast leaving the home cam on and watching my two girls chase each other up the walls! And when it’s time to sleep, it’s so cute, they cuddle together.

II. Mimics the feline social structure

While your plump, contented indoor cat may feel far removed from the stray cats outside — in the wild, they’d likely be part of a sprawling cat colony — which can grow quite massive.

Two or more cats can mimic the social behaviors cats do in these colonies like grooming and playing.

III. Encourages exercise

Cats, especially indoor cats, need regular exercise to maintain a healthy weight and prevent lounging around.

On the other hand, some cats will save their pent-up energy and simply explode with play once you go to sleep.

Playing with your cats does help, but adding another kitty will provide that companionship when you’re not around — which, let’s be honest, will be most of the time.

So … Should You Add Another Cat?

While hopefully now you’re gung-ho about the idea of adopting a second kitty, always know your cat’s temperament and if their breed is typically social or not. Nothing’s worse than adopting a second cat into the house and realizing both can’t stand each other!

But based on the research, adding another cat to the house can be enormously beneficial (for more reading, check out this blog post!).

If you have the available budget, spare room, and a willing kitty — there’s really no reason not to adopt a second!

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Anthony Verrelli
Anthony Verrelli

Written by Anthony Verrelli

Freelance culture and lifestyle writer. Previous journal editor and college writing tutor. Sometime pet blogger and product trier

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