# The science behind Solo cat vs multiple cats.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-science-behind-solo-cat-vs-multiple-cats/670634>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [October 7, 2013, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-science-behind-solo-cat-vs-multiple-cats/670634 "2013-10-07T23:27:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\
**Post date:** [October 7, 2013, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-science-behind-solo-cat-vs-multiple-cats/670634/1 "2013-10-07T23:27:25Z")

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Just thought I’d share since this question has come up a couple of times lately. [Link](http://theweek.com/article/index/250731/science-your-cat-might-hate-being-petted)

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> Although the number of cats in the home did not predict background stress levels, the researchers found that younger cats (less than two years old) living on their own were more stressed than younger ones living in the larger groups.

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**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\
**Post date:** [October 7, 2013, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-science-behind-solo-cat-vs-multiple-cats/670634/2 "2013-10-07T23:38:29Z")

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That seems to apply to cats who, per the article, “reluctantly allow themselves to be petted”.

Our single cat isn’t truly happy unless she’s laying directly on your face and getting maximum affection/attention.

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**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\
**Post date:** [October 8, 2013, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-science-behind-solo-cat-vs-multiple-cats/670634/3 "2013-10-08T00:34:39Z")

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> [@](#):
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> Cats — which are “not a naturally social species,” adds Mills

Ergo my cat is not a cat, but instead a purring, playful snuggle bunny pretending to be a cat.