When is it too late to get a second cat?

You may have heard that it’s better to adopt cats, especially kittens, in pairs but that shouldn’t stop you from considering a second cat when your first one is already of a certain age.

It’s never too late to get a second cat. Age isn’t the most important factor when you are considering whether to get a second cat. What’s more important are factors such as compatibility in personality and energy levels. For example, if your resident cat is old and doesn’t like to move around much, then it’s probably not the best idea to bring home a second kitten that is full of energy. This isn’t to say that the cats won’t ever bond. They may eventually but wouldn’t be off to the best start if the kitten “annoys” the resident cat all the time. Your older cat may even hide from the kitten because of the stress.

There are some general rules of thumb floating around on selecting a second cat based on gender. There is no conclusive evidence to say that female cats go better with other females or with a cat of an opposite gender. Personality is most likely going to trump this. Rather than getting a kitten from a breeder, you may have better luck finding a compatible feline pal by going to a local rescue and asking for a cat that meets a certain personality.

There you have it. Don’t be scared about getting a second cat. It’s never too late. In addition to finding a second cat that has a similar personality, what is also important is your ability to introduce the two cats to one another. Patience is important. You shouldn’t ever expect the resident cat and second cat to hit it off from the moment they meet unless you hit the lottery.