Is adopting only one young cat abusive in some way?

[Alex+R 0]

Yesterday I read in several places that adopting a young cat alone is terrible because it will be bored all the time and get depressed and so on. 7 months is a young cat, right? I'm already feeling bad because I realized that I separated her from the cat she grew up with as well by adopting only her.

On the other hand, I've also read that you need at least two bedrooms for two cats. Is that true? We're in a one-bedroom apartment.

Is it ok to have one cat? Any personal experiences with this? I'm starting to freak out.

[Fuzzness 2]

That is probably a lot of bullcrap. As long as the young cat gets a lot of attention from you it will be perfectly fine.

[Nessa 23]

I agree with fuzzness.

About the bedroom maybe they meant living in a place with more than 1 room so the cat can somewhat ''exercise'' and isn't stuck in only 1 room without moving, which can cause the cat to gain weight, just like us humans.

[Otto 83]

Adopting one kittiy is fine.

Don't worry about the seperation.. would happen eventually anyway...that's natural..

One bedroom...studio, whatever is fine... cat's don't need 'rooms'

[Alex+R 0]

I agree with fuzzness.

About the bedroom maybe they meant living in a place with more than 1 room so the cat can somewhat ''exercise'' and isn't stuck in only 1 room without moving, which can cause the cat to gain weight, just like us humans.

I think they meant so each cat could claim their own territory, but I think we've got enough space for two to have their territories. Hm... I don't really want to get another one but I will if it's best for the one I've got. But I hope you guys are right.

[CarolineM 0]

We've had one cat for three years and she is happy as can be!! The "Rooms" thing I think is for when you introduce a new animal into the house. You're supposed to keep them separated at first.

You are FINE with just one cat. It is in NO WAY cruel of abusive.

Promise.

[eau_xplain 2]

Our cat was a stray who adopted us and she seems to be doing well being a lone cat. She does have our dog to play with and she can be very demanding at night when she thinks it's time for her play-time with mommy.

[TracyTN 237]

I have one cat - she doesn't seem any worse the wear for it.

I suspect they PREFER to adopt brothers and sisters/friends out together - but better they be adopted at all than stay at the shelter! She's a lucky girl!!

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I heard owning fewer than 30 cats was abusive.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

As cats have a non-social, territorial nature, adopting MORE THAN ONE (same gender or neuter) will result in injuries (certainly to the cats; maybe to humans or other pets as well).

Of different genders, non-neutered--domestic cats have a rather high reproduction rate for predators.

[brnidokiegurl 0]

At different times have had both, one cat alone, then brother and sister etc couldnt say it made any difference, they tend to make their own play..

[derekkj 0]

Funny you should bring this up, Alex. Derek and I are looking to adopt a kitten in the near future. We have a small apartment and only have room for one pet, and Derek has only ever lived with a geriatric cat, so we thought a kitten would be fun this time around .

But a lot of the shelters that we have been looking at require you to already have a cat or adopt 2 if you want to get a cat under about 6-7 months. I don't remember that being a requirement the last time I got a kitten. But that was over 20 years ago so I guess things change!

Jenny lived with a lot of feline roommates over the years and for the most part preferred to be the only queen of the castle.

I am sure your kitten is just thrilled to be out of the shelter and in a loving home.

[cbd2cai 0]

I think getting only one is OK as long as you give her lots of attention.

I ended up with 4 since I felt a bit guilty about not being able to give enough attention to one lonely one, LOL!!!

Guess what?? They all want my attention when I am around . . . sometimes at different times and sometimes all at once.

AND, when I travel for work . . . they all make me feel guilty for leaving them!!!! They see the suitcase and they all start acting strange or sitting on the suitcase or staring at me. The reason I got more than one is so the lone one wouldn't be bored and unhappy when I had to travel for work!!

[Mags 112]

I heard owning fewer than 30 cats was abusive.

Where did you get that photo of me from???????????

[Mags 112]

I adopted two brothers who couldn't be separated. They eat, sleep, play and groom each other. But...I wanted 2 cats....

Since moving to the USA we have somehow ended up with 5 cats. My two tolerate the others (who were all single kittys at one point) but by no means love them. Getting one kitty is fine. She has a loving new home and is safe. That means alot. However, if you are really feeling guilty then go adopt the other kitty. A one bedroom apartment is fine, don't worry about the space. Get lots of toys and play with them too.