You know those moments in your life when you have a realization that you made the best decision ever and are so happy with how things have turned out, despite all of the many challenges it came with? That’s how I feel about the decision to get a second cat. Whether you’re trying to make the decision yourself about moving from a single to multi-cat household, or just reading to hear my story, I’m glad you’re here! I’m going to be fully transparent with you about what getting a second cat looked like for my husband and I, things I wish I knew beforehand, and how my life is definitely more chaotic but filled with so much more love and laughter because of it. Beautiful chaos, if you will. 😉
Note: I am not a medical professional, and this article is not to be taken as medical or veterinary advice. Always contact a veterinarian regarding concerns about your pet’s health or behavior. Additionally, Caitycat is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please see my full disclosure for further information.
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Things I Wish I Knew Before Getting a Second Cat
Now, when most people say, “things I wish I knew before”, there’s almost always a negative connotation associated with the phrase. Why is that? I suppose because as humans we always wish we had more knowledge before making a life-altering decision. Oftentimes, there’s a certain amount of regret associated with life-altering decisions as well.
For me? I have not a single ounce of regret about the decision to get a second cat, despite the major hurdles I had along the way. So, I’m still going to give you a ‘things I wish I knew’ list, but it’s going to be more of a positive one. 🙂
1. I Wish I Knew My Heart Could Grow Double Its Size
I had many, many reservations about adding a second cat to our home. This is because when my husband and I adopted our first cat Luna, we went through a devastating diagnosis of Feline Infectious Peritonitis. This disease nearly took our baby from us when she was only five months old. Fortunately, the experimental treatment we were able to get for her saved her life.
Six years later, we were still terrified to add a second cat to our family because of what we experienced with Luna. I also didn’t think I could possibly love another cat as much as I love Luna, and I was afraid of splitting my attention between two cats. I think this is a common fear many people have when trying to make the decision about getting a second cat.
However, when Hazel chose us (and yes, I mean she actually chose us because we had literally just stopped into the pet store to grab some cat food before going to see a movie and couldn’t leave without her), my heart instantly grew. People talk about this a lot, with pets, children, and any other important people in our lives, and it really is true. Your heart just somehow makes room.
2. I Wish I Knew How Adaptable Cats Really Are
When I tell you I was petrified of how Luna would react to us getting another cat, I am not exaggerating. I mean, Luna had been the only baby for so long, I just didn’t think she could adjust to sharing the home with another cat. She was the queen!
Now, I may not have been totally wrong in my fears, because it was extremely difficult introducing Luna to Hazel. Everything I read online said that it takes about two weeks for the hissing and growling (yes, growling) to stop. Try four months! I actually thought I had made a mistake at one point and had started to lose hope.
But let me assure you: cats are adaptable. Some may take longer than others, but 99% of the time, cats will be okay with each other after a while. It might just take a bit longer than you think. So be prepared! 😉
As I’m writing this post, both Luna and Hazel are peacefully laying on the couch together. Not snuggling (a girl can dream) and always with at least 3 cat distances between them, but they are at peace in each other’s company. I’ve even caught a few nose boops between them (but don’t tell them I told you that).
3. I Wish I Knew How Beneficial Getting a Second Cat is to Your First Cat
Well, exactly what the header says. I wish I knew how good it was going to be for Luna to get her a friend. After we made it past the grueling first four months, we noticed a change in Luna that is undeniable. She is so much more active, playful, and overall happier. Now, I am not saying that she wasn’t happy as an only cat. She loved being our only little princess, and probably would have been fine being an only cat the rest of her life.
However, she is an even better version of her happy self, and it has clearly brought her so much joy to have another friend to play with and keep her company. My husband and I get woken up regularly during the night to the sound of them sprinting back and forth across the house chasing each other. I just smile to myself and go back to sleep. 🙂
4. I Wish I Knew How Much More Laughter Would Be Added to My Life
Having two cats is very different from having just one. We now have two little fluffy weirdos that get to be weird together and make life so much more fun. My camera roll has increased exponentially since getting Hazel because of all the funny interactions between her and Luna!
My husband and I laugh so much more now and our house feels like it has so much more life in it. I almost can’t remember what it was like when it was just the three of us!
What I Regret About Getting a Second Cat
You might be wondering why I just gave you a ‘things I wish I knew’ list with only positives. What’s the point of wishing you knew something before a decision if it’s only positive things? I mean, it wouldn’t change the decision you made at all.
Well, I’ll tell you why. It’s because the only thing I regret about getting a second cat is that I didn’t do it sooner. 🙂
In Conclusion
If you’re asking yourself, “Should I get a second cat?”, here’s what I’ll tell you. The decision to get a second cat is very much a personal one that is dependent on your own circumstances. I can’t tell you that it will be the right decision for you and your family, but if you have similar fears that I had before I made the jump, I hope what I shared gives you some confidence in your decision.
For my husband and I, adding Hazel to our family has been the best decision we ever made. 🙂
Did you like this article? Do you have a success story to share about adding a second cat to your family? Let me know in the comments below!
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