Pets Add Life (PAL), has officially declared November 19th National Get a Pal For Your Pet Day, in hopes of encouraging pet owners to "adopt additional furry, winged and/or finned family members."
That being said, I'm not going to lie to you. Despite reports that multiple pet ownership can make animals more social and active, and help prevent health problems in humans such as stress and heart disease, my cats still don't like each other very much (I guess they can't read).
However, despite their tenuous relationship, they've both made my life better, and I believe that they've improved each other's lives, too. So, instead of making a flowery list of reasons why having two cats is better than one, I've come up with a few unconventional observations on the benefits of multiple cat ownership, whether they see it that way or not.
Breaking Stereotypes
I don't think I had a true perspective on cat ownership until I got my second cat. While Priscilla is the classic model of a perfect, "prissy" feline, Charlie came along and turned everyone's world upside down. While she is moody, elegant, and reserved, he's clingy, clumsy, and attention seeking. What this has taught me is that cats really do have their own unique personalities, and that the stereotype of them being cold and aloof is just as ridiculous as the stereotype of me being an old, hermitous woman just because I like cats (ok, maybe the hermit part is true, but I attribute that more to being a blogger than to being a cat owner).
Cat Fights
I asked my friend Alison why she thought having two cats was better than one, and she said, "because they keep each other company and it's fun to watch them beat each other up." While she meant her comment (mostly) as a joke, she also has a point. The daily scuffles between my cats can be amusing, and if nothing else, help keep Priscilla active, even if that just means moving from one side of the couch to the other to avoid Charlie's stares. He keeps her young, whether she likes it or not.
Communication
For better or for worse, it always helps to have a buddy around who speaks your language, and I know for a fact that my cats talk to each other. Ok, maybe "fact" is a strong word, but I 100% believe that they telepathically communicate. When guests come over to visit, Priscilla bolts under the bed at the first sign of intruders, while happy, social Charlie (who doesn't harbor the same fear of people), flees after her, as if she's shouting to him, "RUN, RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!"
Also, when it's time for supper, the chorus of two kitty voices singing for their dinner is better than one.
Motivation
As seen in the video above, having another cat around can increase curiosity, friendly competition, and motivate your kitty to up its game. Who can just lay around and sleep all day when there's another cat around who could potentially be getting more treats, attention, and camera time than you?
Save a life!
In all seriousness, animals of all kinds languish every day waiting to find their forever homes, while others needlessly die because there's just not enough space for them in shelters. If you have the desire, time, and resources available to welcome another pet into your family, I highly encourage you to do so. Not only will you be responsible for changing the life of that lucky dog or cat, you'll also likely be changing your own life for the better, too. Join Pets Add Life on Facebook, and help us celebrate National Get A Pal For Your Pet Day on November 19th!
This post is sponsored by the Pets Add Life campaign and the American Pet Products Association. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about the benefits and joys of pet ownership.
6 comments:
That was awesome! I really hope this campaign helps many cats, and other shelter animals, find forever homes.
What meowmeowmans said. Even though Oogie and Kokoro only tolerate each other, it still good. Keeps 'em active.
Adopt two kittens from the same litter. It works
These were great! Loved the Cobra Cat!
Wow! You earned a few kittens with this fantastic post today!
Thanks so much everyone!! @Jennifer Yay, kittens! :DD
@Anon Good tip, but Charlie was an unplanned family member who won our hearts after we found him living in the sewer down the street. We had to take him in! :)
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