Bonded Cats: Why You Should Adopt a Bonded Pair

Is it possible that two kittens are better than one? Although the instinctive answer might be “yes, yes, and absolutely yes,” all jokes aside, experts say adopting a pair of kittens isn’t just better for their development — it can actually make life easier for you, the pet parent. 

Sounds backwards, right? While certain costs will be higher (twice the food and vet bills), the benefits of adopting two kittens or a bonded pair of cats often outweigh the challenges. To encourage more adopters to take home twice the fuzz, many shelters offer special deals: Sometimes you can scoop up two for just a bit more than the price of one. Bonded adult cats may even have a lower adoption fee than a single cat. 

What is a bonded pair?

“Bonded cats are friends for life,” Linda Hall, certified feline behaviorist and owner of The Cat Behaviorist, says. Hall explains that bonded cats might be littermates, longtime housemates, or even two adults who meet later in life. But not all littermates are bonded, and not all cats who get along are truly bonded. In a genuine bond, the cats share a deep emotional connection, feeling secure enough to share territory, resources, and even their favorite humans, while providing each other with comfort and companionship.

That bond is so strong that separating a bonded pair can leave one or both cats feeling lonely, anxious, or depressed, says Stephen Quandt, a certified cat behavior specialist and founder of Stephen Quandt Feline Behavior Associates. Although cats can eventually adjust to life without their companions, the transition can be deeply stressful. That’s why many shelters try to adopt out bonded pairs, even though two adult bonded cats are often more difficult to place.

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How do you tell if kitties are bonded to each other?

While two cats living together might enjoy each other’s company, a truly bonded pair shows clear signs of distress when separated, such as refusing to eat. Some shelters, especially those already at capacity, use these stress benchmarks to determine if a pair of cats is truly bonded. This evaluation is called a “bonding test,” Quandt says. 

Of course, you don’t want to put cats through unnecessary stress just to test their friendship. Instead, you can look for these signs of a bonded pair.

They groom each other

It’s undeniably cute to watch two cats grooming one another, but there’s more to it than affection. “Scent is incredibly important for felines, and cats living together actually create a shared or communal scent by grooming and rubbing against each other and their environment,” Jackie Noble, senior director at the San Diego Humane Society, says. 

Not all cats groom their housemates, so if yours do, it’s a good sign they get along and might even be bonded. However, grooming isn’t a guaranteed indicator of a bonded pair. A cat might also groom their housemate as a way to redirect aggression. 

They play together

All cats like to play, and most kitties will happily romp with each other. But adult cats don’t always choose to play together. Bonded adult cats, however, often do. “You may see them playing chase, sharing toys, or even hunting bugs together in your home — true signs of teamwork,” Noble says.

They eat together 

Food is a prized resource, and some cats can’t even eat in the same room without guarding their bowl, stealing bites from a housemate, or even blocking access to food altogether. Bonded cats, on the other hand, are often happy to dine side by side. 

They sleep together

In many multi-cat households, you’ll find one cat snoozing in one place while another stakes out a different territory. But not bonded cats: They often prefer sleeping together. 

“They may even sleep or relax in such a way that one cat has her tail wrapped around the other, or one cat has her paw draped over the other,” Rachel Geller, a certified cat behavior and retention specialist, says. “This is affectionate body language that indicates that the cats have total trust in each other.” 

That said, even bonded cats should still have their own beds and cozy hideaways. Alone time and multiple resources help prevent overstimulation and accommodate each cat’s individual preferences. 

Benefits of adopting a bonded pair of cats

Whether bonded or not, kitties thrive with a companion. In fact, some shelters require you to adopt two kittens instead of one. “It is most critical for kittens under six months of age to go home with a buddy, and it’s much easier to introduce them to a friend when they’re young,” Noble says.

Below are some benefits of adopting two kittens, a bonded adult pair, or even just two cats who get along.

• Easier transition during adoption: A buddy makes moving to a new home less scary and helps kittens settle in faster.

• Better social development: “A kitten’s rough-and-tumble play style has many functions, and one of them is to teach each other inhibition when using their teeth and claws. If you ever watch kittens play, keep an eye on their body language and vocalizations —– they are learning through play and telling each other ‘no’ when things get too rough,” Noble says. Kittens who grow up without another young cat are more likely to develop “single kitten syndrome,” which can show up as excessive meowing, destructive behaviors, or aggression.

• Reduced conflict between cats: You never know how two cats will get along. Bonded pairs come with a built-in friendship. 

• Discounts for adopting: Some shelters offer reduced fees for adopting a pair of cats.

• Fighting pet overpopulation: Two adoptions means double the shelter space and resources to save more animals in need.

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What to consider before adopting a bonded pair

“Two cats are twice the fun,” Quandt says. While that’s true, there are a few logistics to consider before bringing home a duo.

• Increased time commitment: They may keep each other company, but you’ll still need to play, bond, groom, feed, and clean up after both of them.

• More expensive: Twice the food, litter, vet visits, and supplies can add up.

• Unhealthy bonding: Bonded pairs can be overly dependent on one another and become stressed when apart, even if only for an afternoon vet visit. Others may have imbalanced relationships, where one dominates or overstimulates the other, which can lead to tension or even aggression.

Adopting a bonded pair

Ready to give two cats a loving home? Adopting a bonded pair removes the uncertainty of whether or not your cats will get along. Plus, it’s a kinder choice, because bonded pairs often have longer shelter waits. Visit Adopt a Pet and use the “bonded pair” filter to find your new companions. You can also look for bonded dog pairs if that’s a better fit for your family.

Commonly asked questions

How do cats become bonded?

Bonded cats are often close in age, have shared life experiences, and have lived together for a long time. But cats introduced at different stages of life can form a bond, too. And just because two cats share a home — or even come from the same litter — doesn’t necessarily mean they’re bonded. 

What happens if you separate bonded cats?

Separating a bonded pair often leaves one or both cats feeling lonely, anxious, or even depressed. Some may stop eating, overgroom, or vocalize excessively. That’s why shelters try to keep truly bonded cats and dogs together, even though placing a pair is often harder than adopting out a single pet.