# What? ANOTHER ONE? You want another CAT?!! I can't handle this! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 5, 2003, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-another-one-you-want-another-cat-i-cant-handle-this/199719 "2003-09-05T13:37:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-another-one-you-want-another-cat-i-cant-handle-this/199719/1 "2003-09-05T13:37:52Z")
Those who know me, and my adventures in feline acceptability world, know that it was a long road just for me to come to the realization that I was going to lose this battle, and Mrs.Phlosphr was going to get her kitten. When said [kitten](http://www.orecatay.com/images/photos/sir-muggles.jpg) \* showed up, I gradually accepted the idea. I had my dog, my wife has her cat. Well now things have drastically changed and my wife thinks Minmei will need a friend. She thinks she gets lonely at night. Oh come on now! I say. The Cats fine. So far this tactic of response has gotten me into the doldrums of the dog’s house. [which is actually pretty nice I designed it myself] So what should I do? Do cat’s really get lonely? It’s my wifes desire I am sure. But come on now! Is there anyway for me to get out of this? \*Yes I take every opportunity to show my little girl off…[sub]I don’t think she needs a sister tho[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![DeadlyAccurate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@DeadlyAccurate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadlyAccurate)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-another-one-you-want-another-cat-i-cant-handle-this/199719/2 "2003-09-05T13:50:55Z")
Yes, cats do get lonely, especially if they are literally the only beings in the house (such as while you’re at work). Also, two cats are more likely to be playful for more years than one (at 6 years each, both of my cats are very active, but one of them wouldn’t be if the other wasn’t around). ---
**Author:** ![Elenfair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cc9497/32.png) [@Elenfair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elenfair)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-another-one-you-want-another-cat-i-cant-handle-this/199719/3 "2003-09-05T13:54:18Z")
what you should do? Get another dog. Your poor pooch gets just as lonely as her kitty! Honest! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-another-one-you-want-another-cat-i-cant-handle-this/199719/4 "2003-09-05T13:57:07Z")
Get another one - it’ll reduce your responsibility level. With two of them, you can leave the little bastards for a couple of nights alone (with enough food and water, of course), and they won’t get lonesome. More time for you to play elsewhere! ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-another-one-you-want-another-cat-i-cant-handle-this/199719/5 "2003-09-05T14:12:12Z")
> [@](#): > > With two of them, you can leave the little bastards for a couple of nights alone… Thats my motto! Thanks! 🙂 Seriously, I can logically say that it will be a good idea, plus the one we are - I mean would possibly - be getting is Minmei’s unsold sister…Why oh why is this happening to me. One little tyke is enough…however, **Elenfair** - you rock! I did not think of that! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-another-one-you-want-another-cat-i-cant-handle-this/199719/6 "2003-09-05T14:15:53Z")
Right. Someone want to explain this to my husband? I want another cat, but for some reason, he (irrationally) thinks that having two cats in a studio apartment would be too many. Silly. I want a kitten! ---
**Author:** ![dorkusmalorkusmafia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorkusmalorkusmafia/32/7266_2.png) [@dorkusmalorkusmafia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorkusmalorkusmafia)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-another-one-you-want-another-cat-i-cant-handle-this/199719/7 "2003-09-05T14:16:41Z")
It could be worse, she could be wanting a heard of children or you could simply let the cat sleep with you. Two cats are much easier to take care of than one. I have only one cat since breaking up with an ex a while back (he took his cat I took mine). My cat has gotten weird since he has been alone. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-another-one-you-want-another-cat-i-cant-handle-this/199719/8 "2003-09-05T14:21:40Z")
[Just don’t get more than two cats](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=181285). 😉 ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-another-one-you-want-another-cat-i-cant-handle-this/199719/9 "2003-09-05T14:45:44Z")
> [@](#): > > ## \*Originally posted by Phlosphr \* \*\*quote: > > ## With two of them, you can leave the little bastards for a couple of nights alone… > > Thats my motto! Thanks! :)\*\* Sorry, I forgot you were talking about cats. I thought you were talking about babies. :eek: 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-another-one-you-want-another-cat-i-cant-handle-this/199719/10 "2003-09-05T14:48:29Z")
**Jimm** - hahahaha!!! now thats funny. Babies soon but not yet. I told my wife that she’s going to become a crazy cat lady after our kids are out of the house. I hope she doesn’t leave me for the kitties. ---
**Author:** ![skeptic\_ev](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@skeptic\_ev](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skeptic_ev)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-another-one-you-want-another-cat-i-cant-handle-this/199719/11 "2003-09-05T14:59:44Z")
It’s a myth that cats don’t need socialization. Kittens who are not socialized very much–with people and/or other cats–tend to grow into the kind of cats that non-cat people don’t like. (Did that make sense? It did in my head.) Kittens who grow up together will often develop a close relationship. Plus, from personal experience, they tend to be a little less destructive when they have buddies to keep them entertained. Finally, there’s nothing cuter than two little kitties curled up together in a sunbeam. ---
**Author:** ![Kithara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8491ac/32.png) [@Kithara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kithara)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-another-one-you-want-another-cat-i-cant-handle-this/199719/12 "2003-09-05T15:24:20Z")
I think that it is a good idea to have two kittens instead of one. I can honestly say that my two kitties keep each other entertained and happy. I don’t feel guilty when I need to study or go out and leave them. I know they won’t be bored or lonely…of course, they have a whole basket of toys in addition to each other. (We have to put the toy basket up at night though, or we won’t get any sleep) And I agree, watching my two kitties curled up together in my big chair is the cutest thing ever! ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-another-one-you-want-another-cat-i-cant-handle-this/199719/13 "2003-09-05T15:29:23Z")
Hmmpph. I got two kittens—sisters, from the same litter—thinking they’d be pals and playmates for each other. Well, they _hate_ each other. They are 14 years old this month, and are not so much The Bobsy Twins as Olivia De Havilland and Joan Fontaine. Don’t even like being in the same _room_ together. So there is no guarantee that the new cat and your Impossibly Cute Kitten will get on. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-another-one-you-want-another-cat-i-cant-handle-this/199719/14 "2003-09-05T15:32:32Z")
Well there would be an introductory period of course, where if they hated each other we could bring her back. Have your kitties always hated each other **Eve** - for 14 years? ---
**Author:** ![wakimika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f08c70/32.png) [@wakimika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wakimika)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-another-one-you-want-another-cat-i-cant-handle-this/199719/15 "2003-09-05T15:33:26Z")
I think that if you are going to add a second cat, you should do it now. Your cat is very young, correct? When our first cat was 18 months old we had the bright idea that she was lonely and needed a playmate. It’s been 14 years now and they have hated eachother since day one. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-another-one-you-want-another-cat-i-cant-handle-this/199719/16 "2003-09-05T15:33:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Phlosphr \* > \*\* > Oh come on now! I say. The Cats fine. So far this tactic of response has gotten me into the doldrums of the dog’s house. [which is actually pretty nice I designed it myself] > > So what should I do? Do cat’s really get lonely? It’s my wifes desire I am sure. But come on now! Is there anyway for me to get out of this? > \*\* One word: \*\*APOSTROPHES!!! \*\* I know this issue has been done to death here, but you’re a college instructor! Shouldn’t you be setting an example for your students? Obviously, in your other recent post where you used the phrase “and Iceberge”, you weren’t being subtly ironic, as I’d hoped. –and yes, it’s true that two or more cats do a lot for each other that can relieve the owners of some of the worry and even a little of the responsibility. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-another-one-you-want-another-cat-i-cant-handle-this/199719/17 "2003-09-05T15:38:42Z")
Hmmm…if I show that photo to my wife, **Phlosphr** , she’s going to want another kitten. Nice kitten, I must say! We have four cats, and they do keep each other company. Our two oldest are from the same litter, one came about a year later, and the fourth came about a year after that. All were kittens when we adopted them. Although there was a little animosity from the older ones when a new kitten came, things settled down in a short time. Now, they all get along well–they play together, groom each other occasionally, and sleep curled up together. It’s interesting to note that when they are separated (such as when one needs to go to the vet), the others seem to be somewhat out-of-sorts. Where is their friend? I’d say yes, domestic cats do get lonely and they like the companionship of their own kind. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-another-one-you-want-another-cat-i-cant-handle-this/199719/18 "2003-09-05T15:43:58Z")
Oh thank you for saying that, **Spectre**. **Phlosphr** I really like you, I enjoy your posts, I think your life sounds great, and your kitty’s adorable. But your apostrophe use, especially for a college instructor, is _arseways_! > [@](#): > > The Cat’s fine. So far this tactic of response has gotten me into the doldrums of the dog’s house. [which is actually pretty nice I designed it myself] > > So what should I do? Do cats really get lonely? It’s my wifes desire I am sure. But come on now! Is there anyway for me to get out of this? And you can’t spell **philosopher** either. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-another-one-you-want-another-cat-i-cant-handle-this/199719/19 "2003-09-05T15:46:11Z")
That’s a damn cute kitten, **Philsosophr** – and I work at a shelter where I see kittens galore. It’s true, if counterintuitive, that two cats are less work than one. They’ll keep one another occupied, play with one another, use one another for scratching posts. When they’re lonely, they’ll look to the other cat instead of to you, a fair amount of the time. We have two cats, sisters, who get along famously. They like humans a lot, but they are perfectly willing to keep one another company when the two-legs are gone. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-another-one-you-want-another-cat-i-cant-handle-this/199719/20 "2003-09-05T15:47:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Phlosphr \* > \*\* > Oh come on now! I say. The Cats fine. So far this tactic of response has gotten me into the doldrums of the dog’s house. [which is actually pretty nice I designed it myself] > > So what should I do? Do cat’s really get lonely? It’s my wifes desire I am sure. But come on now! Is there anyway for me to get out of this? > \*\* One word: \*\*APOSTROPHES!!! \*\* I know this issue has been done to death here, but you’re a college instructor! Shouldn’t you be setting an example for your students? Obviously, in your other recent post where you used the phrase “and Iceberge”, you weren’t being subtly ironic, as I’d hoped. –and yes, it’s true that two or more cats do a lot for each other that can relieve the owners of some of the worry and even a little of the responsibility. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-another-one-you-want-another-cat-i-cant-handle-this/199719.md?page=2)