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this post was submitted on 26 Jul 2025
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Because I don't feel like I can care for multiple pets as a single person who lives alone? I know some do, but I am not comfortable with that. I don't understand why that is so odd. As I stated, my situation is exactly why I've never entertained this idea to begin with before recently.
My career doesn't allow me to work from home. Not everyone has that type of a career. I am compensated well for what I do, so I am not interested in changing careers. If my conditions are harmful to a pet, then I won't get one. That's why I'm inquiring here.
But the question is why?
What about owning two pets seems more difficult than one?
I've owned multiple cats bonded to me and each other, and I've owned a single cat bonded to just me, the former is much much easier.
I have experience taking care of one dog. I don't have experience with taking care of multiple pets concurrently and don't really feel comfortable doing so. I've never taken care of a single cat, so immediately jumping into two sounds incredibly daunting and I am quite frankly just not interested in doing so considering I have zero experience in that. It will already have the potential to be complicated enough when my mom visits with her elderly dog.
I get what you're saying, for a responsible pet owner, it's always nerve wracking going into pet ownership and taking on a dependent.
But my point is that jumping into cat ownership is jumping into cat ownership. You're going to have to keep their water full, pour some food in their bowls a couple times a day, clean their litter, and then play and cuddle with them every day. Once a year you have to put them in a carrier and bring them to the vet.
Adding a second cat to that situation means that you pour a second bowl of food, fill up a second bowl of water, clean a second litter box when you clean the first, and once a year put two cats in carriers rather than just one. At the same time the amount you need to play with them and cuddle them every day decreases substantially.
With one cat, going away on vacation means that you basically need to find a cat sitter, or you leave them just sitting at the door waiting for you all day getting depressed. With two cats, they get sad but then play and cuddle and bond with each other.
You keep saying stuff like 'im just not interested' which isn't an explanation, it's a thought terminating phrase. Take it from us experienced cat owners when we say that in your situation, it's would be great to adopt two cats, and cruel to adopt just one.
Edit: it is different if you adopt an elderly isolated cat that would otherwise be put down. In that situation, you'll still be providing them with a life, but if you do get through to them, they will bond to you, and it will still make leaving for trips difficult, even if they're used to your daily absence. A support network is inherently more flexible and robust then a support pair.
It is not cruel to have one cat. You're saying all cats are social, that's bs, tell that to my grandads old cat Tuggs who would attack anything that wasn't him. Or my parents old cat that lived to 18 in a loving household, on her own. . Your attitude stinks - "take it from us experienced cat owners", you can't talk for all cat owners.
Jeez, alright, man. I get it. My lifestyle would harm a single pet. That's why I never considered having a companion until meeting my coworker's cat. I'll drop the idea.
Lol nah you seem fine, get the cat, please don't let a single internet comment deter you. Explain your situation to someone at a shelter/rescue and if they're okay with you having a cat, then its probably fine.
Its better to have a cat in a home that barrely meets the minium requirements, rather than having a cat be put down or stuck in the shelter for a long time, possibly for the rest of its life.
When you getting a cat, you're not just helping that one cat, you're also freeing up that space for another cat to be saved, instead of being put down.
Don’t listen to that fool. You are perfectly qualified to care for a cat. I’m probably less qualified than you, and my cats are happy and love me.
Don't listen to one person, lots of cats love being the only cat, I had two at one point, ended up having to separate them because one wanted to play all the time and the other hated it and wanted to be left alone! Just like people, you can't put everyone under the same umbrella. Some cats want company, some don't. You need to find one that suits your needs.
There are definitely cats that need companionship and lots of socializing, but there are also cats that are perfectly content with an hour or two of your time, and cuddling in and lying on your bed with you while you sleep can also fulfill that need. 40 hours a week still means plenty of time with you physically in the house. I've had cats all my life and seen lots of personalities. I think it'll be important to find the right cat but they are absolutely out there. I say go for it.
Two cats aren’t much more work than one cat, and they will entertain each other so there is less pressure on you to play with cat toys every day. Do whatever you want, the cat will be fine, but I just thought you’d like to know that double the cats aren’t double the work.
its best if cats have at least another cat to play with, this cause less behavioural issue from the cat. i also noticed at least on some of those animal videos where the pet is the only pet, they get super-attached to the owner, to the point is obnoxious asf.