I think my cat is bored. Do I need another cat?

[RealGuyinChicago]

The cat we adopted a couple of months ago is a neutered male that had been declawed by a previous owner. We play with him (he loves feather toys) and give him all the pets he wants.

But what he really wants to do is roughhouse in a way that gets one of us (my wife or myself) bitten. He doesn't bite hard. I am sure he is being playful. He also tends to bite one of us if he feels ignored -- not often, but enough to make it an issue. I am starting to think he's bored and frustrated at not getting enough of the cat-like play he really likes.

The shelter told us he'd be best in a home without other cats. But I think that was mainly because of his no-front-claws situation.

But I am wondering if what Coltrane needs is a companion he can chase and wrestle with. It'd probably have to be another high-energy cat. We'd almost certainly need to find another declawed shelter cat -- probably about the same age or younger. And I think the other cat should be female to avoid a struggle for alpha-cat status.

What do y'all think?

I am worried that my latent desire to have as many cats as possible could be making me biased toward getting another one. But I also know that cats are more social than many people think.

[Ocelot II]

1. I think your cat needs another cat.

[LakeArenal]

2. I think most pets get bored. I don't think many get enough exercise.

If you have enough patience and commitment for one more, yes please.


There is another cat out there waiting for you. Probably 100 actually.

Love is infinitely divisible.

[tblue37]

3. He needs another cat.

[zuul]

4. I vote for a second cat.

I have a 3 year old male cat and 3 females that are 6-8 years old. The females are related, a mother and her two daughters. The girls are bonded to each other and don't really like to interact with the male. They don't fight, they just don't really hang out together.

I brought a 2 month old male kitten into the house a couple months ago as a friend and brother for my 3 year old male, so now we have 5 cats who are inside-only. So far it's working out pretty well.

[Sanity Claws]

5. Maybe

Have you thought about being a foster to other cats? This way you can assess how your cat does around other cats and find the right companion for him.

[Timeflyer]

6. Yes

Yes, another cat. Hate declawing, should be outlawed everywhere, but previous owner did it, so another declawed rescue is a good idea. Get lots of cat toys, catnip, cardboard scratching pads and posts, and never use your hand as a toy. The Bird type toys on a string and a rod are nice for (temporarily) wearing a cat out with play-hunting. Don't worry about getting too many cats, unless you think you have hoarding tendencies. There's usually a limit to how many litter pans one or two people want to deal with. Oh, and get another litter pan for each kitty. And spay and neuter all pets--there aren't enough homes for all of them.

[Duppers]

13. K & R

[2naSalit]

7. Animals need company with their own species.

He could do with another cat but get a pretty young one so it figures out the claws thing and the older cat can have the alpha position. Whichever sex, get it fixed and they should be okay.

[Phoenix61]

8. Cats are not like dogs.

They are, in general, solo creatures. That being said I’ve had cats who were best buds and others that definitely wanted to be an only. Maybe foster a declawed one and see if it works.

[RealGuyinChicago]

11. My wife wants to foster

We might try that.

[Phoenix61]

12. That sounds like a really good option. nt

[LisaL]

9. I had one cat then got a second one.

My first cat was very bored when he was an only cat. Mine were both males. They liked to play with each other when they were young and energetic. One of them died several years ago due to cancer. But the remaining cat is now very old so I don't think he'd enjoy a second cat being around.
Regarding your cat, another cat could be a good thing. Someone to play with. You could ask the shelter why they thought he'd be best without other cats? Did he not like other cats?

[Marcuse]

10. They are social creatures.

[Ziggysmom]

14. Oh my goodness, The Furry Freak Brothers! I remember those comix many years ago.

Just wait till Freddy puts on his headphones

[piddyprints]

15. I always say

getting another pet to solve a pet problem is a huge gamble. The biting is likely a result of him being declawed, as that is a common "side-effect." If the shelter suggested him being an only cat, I'd certainly talk with them about their reasoning.

How old is he? He might outgrow the roughhousing phase.

I like the idea of fostering. At least that will give you an idea of how he would get along with another one.

As far as the gender issue, as long as they're both neutered, it shouldn't really matter. Females can be pretty dang alpha-cat too.

Let us know what you decide!

[RealGuyinChicago]

16. We're putting it off for now

I'm suddenly going through a rough patch health-wise.