Did you know that human science is completely different from feline science? It’s true — laws of nature that apply to humans do not necessarily apply to cats, and vice versa. Here is something from the feline side you humans might find useful: the Kitty Law of Physics.
Kitty Law of Physics
Two cats together make less trouble than one.
Many times, when humans bring home a kitten or a young adult cat, they are amazed by all the breakage, shredding and general pandemonium that ensues. All cats are quite talented at finding surprising ways to keep busy, and the younger ones often seem to have a special gift for mayhem. The main reason behind this unique ability is… boredom!
Even humans who set aside time each day for interactive play with their cats can’t keep them busy 24-7 — that is unless they are unemployed, never leave the house and have as much energy as a kitten. Wow. Think about it — wouldn’t a human under those conditions be bouncing off the walls too? But if you cooped up a pair of equally bored humans, most likely they would cause more trouble, causing additional destruction and maybe even teaming up for a life of online criminal activity. But the inverse is true of kitties. Bring a pair of energetic young cats together, and instead of hacking into corporate websites or getting into flame wars on geeky game forums, they are more likely to come up with fun ways to play together that turn out to be less potentially destructive than what they may come up with singularly. Plus two furry balls of energy will wear each other out and wind up getting on their humans’ nerves a lot less. Amazing, isn’t it?
Of course, this rule does not work out 100% as humans might expect. A pair of cats will still find things to destroy, and sometimes one cat will encourage another to break into the treat cabinet, but there are fewer of these incidents than if there was only one cat. So if you know someone who wants to bring home a kitten, encourage them to adopt two! If the kitties are not already pals, the rules of introduction still apply:
- If you want pals, as opposed to a mentor-mentee relationship, the cats should be close in age.
- Start off introductions slowly, if the cats don’t already know each other, and then go at the cats’ pace, not the human’s.
- When the two cats are sharing space, fun rewards such as treats and playtime should be included.
- Make sure there is enough room for each cat to have his or her own space. This can be accomplished by adding cat cubes, and creating vertical space by way of cat trees or carpeted shelves.
- There should be multiple litter boxes for multiple cats, and each litter box should be in a place that offers easy escape, not crammed in somewhere where a cat could be ambushed by another cat. Even cats that get along may wind up having arguments sometimes.
And of course, science would be worthless without heart, so remember that when you adopt two cats, you are saving two lives instead of one!
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EXCELLENT advice, YRH. We hope all of your fans, admirers and readers follow it. And “more than two” is even better, in our humble opinions.
We adore cat cubes, by the way, as well as cat cups, cat pods, and cat hammocks. Just sayin’.
It so true about having two cats. My vet suggested that I get a second cat, when my first cat Max would make himself ill if I was away on business. After I got Min, Max became a happy daddy cat and they were so cute together. Thanks for sharing
We love your advice! Right now our happy furfamily consists of one 6yr old, one 7yr old, one 8 yr old and one 12yr old…all wise beyond their years, of course!
My failure at physics did not take a thing away from your great article, Sparkle. When cats are added at our household, we just let them come to together without fussing about it. It works well over here – I guess we have been very lucky.
Yes! Wes agrees! Even of Kozmo drives me nots!
Kisses
Nellie
We kitties have a way of teaching each other fun things to do! Oui Oui was the only one who walked the banisters but now Mica Moo does it too. In return Mica Moo taught Oui Oui the joys of counter surfing.
Your advice makes total sense to me Sparkle!!!!
Hmmm. Sometimes the Human thinks I might take to another cat, and sometimes she doesn’t. We need a loaner cat, ha ha ha!
Of course two kitties make less trouble than one kitty. Gotta have a playmate or we’ll find ways to amuse ourselves, and that usually means a mess. MOL!
The kitty physics law in our house is that three of us cause less trouble than one certain cat 🙂 (who shall be nameless but her initials are Minnie…)
Great post, Sparkle! When someone is thinking of adopting one cat, it really isn’t so much more work to adopt two, especially if you can adopt a pair that are all ready friends at the shelter.
Pip, Smidgen, Minnie, HOllie
Once again, Ms. Sparkle you give the BEST advice. Tommy says we need a bigger house. We all have our own places to stretch out, even Mooch….Thank you for spreading the news how two kitties are really no more trouble than one!
Noir
This is helping to convince me Quill really does need a pal.
I think Sparkle will agree: rules are made to broken. At our house older boy Domino and youngster Odin bonded over wrestling. Young kitten energy brought welcome stimulation to old boy Merlin. That said: every situation is different and often requires creative solutions.
How about 5 are less trouble than 1?
*hehehehehe*
How about 6 are better than 4! Just brought in two kittens (brother & sister from the same litter) a few weeks ago. My two old boys love them and one of the girls is just fine with them. The other girl would like to have my son to herself, but that is not happening!
Very good article Sparkle.
Now we need the humans to understand it 😉 heehee
Good thing Tillie and Julie have space 😉
Purrs Tillie and Georgia,
Treasure,Tiger, JJ and Julie
My human understands all this and would LOVE to get another cat to keep me busy but she says the problem is ME and the fact that we have no where to quarantine a kitty where I won’t be stressed. We have an open layout with 3 rooms, all of which have special interests for me. I love my Pop so they couldn’t lock a kitty in there. I sleep in TW’s room so that room is out. The rest of the house, except the tiny bathrooms, is one huge room, which—you guessed it—is mine.
Great advice, Sparkle!
We think that’s great advice! Three kitties can really team up!!
The Florida Furkids
Using that science, we ought to never have any trouble! Ah, but Tessa, the Danger Cat doesn’t subscribe to science-y ways and so… *crash bang thud* gotta run!
absolutely wonderful post Sparkle! People rarely believe me that two kittens is less work than one, until I start explaining it..
I never got in trouble until Ichiro showed up. I think it is a boy cat thing…
This is a wonderful post to encourage humans to adopt more than one kitty 🙂
It’s fun for kitties to have siblings and fun for us to watch them play together!
Good advice. Mom suggests this all the time to people who come to the shelter and rescue looking for kittens or young adult cats. Beside, two really isn’t harder to care for than one. 🙂
We don’t get into much trouble and have never been destructive so we certainly believe this theory! But that doesn’t mean we want two more kitties to join our family any time soon!
True words, Sparkle–my first kitties were a brother-sister duo and I could never have kept up with them… they played hard, and then could usually be found curled up asleep together. Kittens can become very bored and frustrated when they’re solo 🙁
MomKatt says, “And 5 cats are even better than just two!” MOL
PURRS!
Selina
I’m not sure about two cats together…
but I can tell you that one Katie gets into FAR less (if ANY) trouble than one Waffles Too.
; )
This is so true and we hope that anyone who adopts cats will get two!
Our mum agrees that 2 are less trouble than one, not that we would ever think to cause trouble…ahem!
Thank you for your kind offer re. our competition. Our mum has emailed Hollie at Verdo and is awaiting her reply, but can’t see any reason why they shouldn’t agree to donate the prize to a local UK shelter should an overseas kitty win. Since you suggested it, a few others have said they would like to do that also. Don’t forget to send us your photo entry.
Hehehe – Äiti had to laugh at this. She was wondering what happened to the Law of Physics when there are 12 kitties together…. she says in physics this might be known as a ‘many body problem’.
But we totally agree – company is great and easier on the household budget.
We aren’t true sisters but we have been together from birth. Mum chose us together as we were cuddling each other in the cattery at the RSPCA.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
I love today’s advice especialy. If mommy had more room we would probably have adopted a sisfur with me when I was gotted.
Oh the mom might disagree that two cats get in less trouble than one. You ought to see the trouble me and Ernie get into! 😉
But good advice, Sparkle!
Wally
Excellent advice! Have a great day!
Because my cats are older, I suppose I don’t have this problem anymore, but they do get messy when they dislike something about the litter :).