How Do I Know if My Cat is Happy?

sparrow13

sparrow13

Cathlete
Okay, don't laugh at me, new pet owner here!! :p

So I'm wondering how to tell if Comet is happy. Her needs are met - she has plenty of food, water and affection - but how do I tell if she's content? I worry that she's bored. She grooms a lot and sometimes plucks her fur, I don't know if it's allergies or boredom.

I'm thinking of maybe getting her a friend.

Sparrow

"The winds of grace are always blowing but it's you who must raise your sail." - Sri Ramakrishna
 
I would say that if she seeks attention from you and purrs, she's pretty happy. Do you play with her? Cats need to be stimulated so if she's bored, a daily 'play session' may help. I'm sure others will chime in with better advice.
Oh, and if you decide to get her a friend, I believe you should get a cat of the opposite sex. I mistakenly got another male cat and they HATE each other. They've learned to live with each other, but they are not friends. It's kinda sad but I can't get rid of either one because I love them both so much.

Carolyn

ETA: Perhaps female cats could live in harmony??
 
Another vote for a playmate!!! My brother/sister team are generally happy, although he drives her crazy and chases her around the house a lot. That irritates her but we usually intervene and try to stop the fight since it bugs us!

I've had a single cat before who was bored a lot; I'll always have 2+ now that I've seen how differently they act when they know they aren't the only fuzzy in the house! :)
 
I *had* two cats....
Then one decided to make a run for it.... x( :( Let's see if the little bugger comes back.

Oh, and I second the suggestion to get a cat of the OPPOSITE sex if you decide to get another. Two males/two females is NOT a good idea. I got a new female cat two months ago (she's 8 months old) and she has absolutely changed my male cat (who's 10 years old) in so many positive ways. He has energy now, he plays, eats better, sleeps better, purrs more, and is generally just a MUCH happier cat. :)

Gosh, I hope my lost kittie comes home... :(

Allison

http://www.picturetrail.com/allisonj90
 
Allison,

Not to hijack this thread but I wanted you to know that I'm thinking about you and your little runaway. I can't imagine how stressed I would be if my kitty did this to me. Hopefully she's just out having kitty adventures.

Carolyn
 
Allison, I hope your kitty comes home too. :(

I agree that if you get a 2nd cat to get one of the opposite sex. I had a single male cat (Zeus) and brought in another male to keep him company (Pookie). They did not get along very well at all. They did get to the point where the tolerated each other, but they were more a source of stress for each other than anything. Zeus just recently passed away and I can tell a big difference in Pookie. It's sad to say, but he is a much sweeter / happier cat as a single. I want to get another cat, but I don't think he would like it.
 
My mom and dad have a cat who grooms nonstop and pulls at his skin/plucks his fur. It is becoming a problem and he is going to go to the vet. Of course, a companion would be great for your little kitty - and you would get a lot of joy too :)
 
>Allison,
>
>Not to hijack this thread but I wanted you to know that I'm
>thinking about you and your little runaway. I can't imagine
>how stressed I would be if my kitty did this to me. Hopefully
>she's just out having kitty adventures.
>
>Carolyn

Thank you, Carolyn. That means a lot to me. I hope she comes home soon and has had enough fun to last her for a while!

Allison

http://www.picturetrail.com/allisonj90
 
If you only have one kitty, I recommend getting a second one. If you do, make it a kitten because older cats adjust better to younger kitties.

I figure if your kitty wasn't stimulated enough she would let you know, but its always good for them to have company. :)
 
>She grooms
>a lot and sometimes plucks her fur, I don't know if it's
>allergies or boredom.

Excessive grooming and fur "plucking" can definitely be a sign of boredom or stress. After my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer, I was very stressed out, and my cat picked up on it and almost plucked herself bald in spots.


>I'm thinking of maybe getting her a friend.

Many people think of cats as solitary animals, but I know many of them (including all of mine) love the company of other cats. There is a small percentage of "cat hating" cats (I see them at the shelter), but most others get used to other cats (it takes about 2 weeks), and some seem like they would feel very lonely without other cat companions.

And you'll be doing a good thing by giving a loving home to another feline who may otherwise not have a good life.
 
>I believe you
>should get a cat of the opposite sex. I mistakenly got another
>male cat and they HATE each other.

I think you just ran into an individual personality thing.

I've found that many (neutered) male cats get along just fine (my 3 love each other). It's females that sometimes have a tough time with each other. But the general advice is to get two of the opposite sex (even though they are, and should be!, neutered and spayed).
 
I totally second the idea of getting a second kitty! I have two boys, Ace and Murphy, one month apart in age, and totally devoted to each other. They curl up and sleep together all the time, and have play fights, then give each other baths. It's so CUUUUUUTE!!! :)
 
If you get a second one, do the best you can to get kin.
I have two brothers and they get along most of the time, like siblings do,and they're great!!


Seville and Madrid.
 
Thanks for the thoughts everyone! I going to talk to DH about another kitty, soon.

Kathryn, did you do anything to alleviate your cat's stress, or just let it run its course? Comet may have residual stress from the last few months (being dumped, living in a shelter, then coming to a new home, the diabetes) but I think she's generally content. But I wonder if in her old home she had companions, being here by herself might be what is stressing her out. Without other cats I mean. She's pretty much with me all day.

Sparrow


"The winds of grace are always blowing but it's you who must raise your sail." - Sri Ramakrishna
 
>Kathryn, did you do anything to alleviate your cat's stress,
>or just let it run its course?

My father died, I was less stressed, and Sweet-Pea's behavioral problems abated. The removal of what was causing her stress (which was MY stress) is what put an end to it.

>Comet may have residual stress
>from the last few months (being dumped, living in a shelter,
>then coming to a new home, the diabetes) but I think she's
>generally content.

That combo could definitely lead to stress.

A companion cat could help but (and I really hate to write this, because I encourage finding homes for homeless pets!) another pet could also add to her stress. It's hard to know.

Did you observe her behavior with other cats at the shelter? Did she seem overtly hostile towards them (not wanting another cat within 2 feet of her, hissing, especially growling?). (Our local shelter has the advantage of having cat "rooms" rather than cages, which means both that they can keep cats longer if necessary, and that you can see how cats react to other cats: some few can't stand any other cat within a few feet of them, and agressively go after them, others are looking for other cats to snuggle with, most adapt and get along, even though there may be some individual likes and dislikes). Did she live with other cats at her previous home?
 
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