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Is there such a thing? Does a single cat in a household suffer? Are they missing out on something valuable to their health and happiness?<\/p>\nIs there such a thing? Does a single cat in a household suffer? Are they missing out on something valuable to their health and happiness?<\/p>\n
Well, I read an article recently saying that kittens that grow up in a home without cat companionship are likely to develop behavior problems such as biting, refusing![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/catscapades\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/KittensTiger-300x171.jpg\")
to use the litter box, clawing furniture, and being too dependent on humans. The articles I read indicate that when 2 kittens are adopted together they grow up more well-adjusted.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/catscapades\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/SmokeyKittyBooboo-225x300.jpeg\")
Olivia is an only cat now since we lost our older cat, Sophie. And I have to say she seems to be more dependent on us than almost any cat we\u2019ve ever had.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve always had multiple cats\u2014at one time it was four. Through most of the years it was at least two. We found two to be ideal. But now we\u2019re down to one and we\u2019re not planning to add to our household. After reading these articles about the single cat syndrome,![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/catscapades\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/IMG_6679-300x200.jpg\")
though, I\u2019m wondering if we\u2019re doing a disservice to Olivia.<\/p>\n
She\u2019s grown now and seems to be quite well-adjusted. She enjoys her quiet time in solitude, but she is also great company and often seeks us out to play, to cuddle, or just ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/catscapades\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/KittenOrange-300x225.jpg\")
to hang out in our presence.<\/p>\n
Is single cat syndrome real? Apparently it is. I found numerous articles about it. Some shelters will not adopt a single kitten. If you want one, you must take two. I read that single kittens are the most commonly returned cats, generally because of the ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/catscapades\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_6624-300x200.jpg\")
obnoxious behavior they develop. They often become destructive and extremely vocal and demanding.<\/p>\n
I have not experienced this, maybe because we always had cats in the house when we adopted a kitten, as was the case with Olivia. After reading about the single kitten ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/catscapades\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/IMG_6703-300x200.jpg\")
syndrome, I have more closely watched Olivia, who will be three this year. Yes, she is more clingy since our older cat, Sophie, crossed over the rainbow bridge. She claws some of the furniture, and she meows at me when she wants me out of my office and in the living room to play or cuddle with her. She demands I open a window for her every morning around 10 in my office so she can watch and hear and smell the birds at the feeder.<\/p>\n
Are these symptoms of Only Kitten Syndrome or is it Olivia just being a cat\u2014a smart cat who knows what she wants and how to get it?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Is there such a thing? Does a single cat in a household suffer? Are they missing out on something valuable to their health and happiness? Well, I read an article recently saying that kittens that grow up in a home … Continue reading