by: JaneTompsett
There's no doubt that owning a cat will bring love, joy and pleasure into your home.
But there is one burning question that must be answered when searching for a new pet:-
'One cat or two?'
Single pet ownership certainly has its benefits. Your new cat or kitten will lap up all the attention available and will benefit from being the centre of attraction. Your family will love the pleasure of playing with it on a one-to-one basis.
Additionally, the overall expense of caring for a single cat will be kept low. Your cat's food, medical, bedding and litter costs will be much easier to work into your family budget than if you owned two pets. The fact that there will not be a second cat sharing your home will also avoid the potential for any feline conflict.
But will your cat be happy on its own? Wouldn't the companionship of another cat be if greater benefit to your cat's emotional well-being?
Briefly, the benefits of owning two cats are:
Companionship for each other - especially if left on their own for long periods.
Feral cats will live in social groups and that sociability is carried over into domesticity. Cats enjoy eachother's company.
The best way to ensure compatibility is to give a home to kittens from the same litter.
Double the pleasure for you!
Naturally, you must consider the other side of the coin. The possible disadvantages of owning more than one cat are:
Greater costs relating to food, medical bills, boarding fees.
Although cats are sociable animals, not every cat lives comfortably with a companion. Some prefer a solitary life.
Behavioural problems are more likely in a multi-cat household.
Your pets may be more content to spend time with each other than with you.
Once you have considered the pros and cons of single or double cat ownership and made your choice, make sure that you look at a number of cats or kittens needing a home. By doing this - and not just falling in love with the first fluffy animal you see - you will begin to develop a good idea of the different character types available.
With this knowledge, you will be in a good position to successfully select just the right animal for your needs - either one that will be happy living alone or two cats that will live companiably together.
Whatever you choice - enjoy the love and affection of your new family members!
About the Author
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