'I'm sure that I would come to love another cat if I got one': After Gracie's window buddy moves away, pawrent considers getting a cat sibling to fill the purr-shaped void

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Sarah Brown • Writer and Editor
Sep 19, 2025 5:00 PM EDT

Gracie has been queen of the castle for four years. She gets porch time, catnip, scratchers, and plenty of play. Even after all that enrichment she sometimes drops a pointed meow that feels like a request for something extra. Her pawrent hears it and wonders what box is still unchecked on the enrichment bingo card.

Then came Jacks, the new neighbors' one-year-old. Window appointments became a nightly ritual. He meowed to be let out, she stood on the porch like a furry lighthouse, and they traded long looks and polite sniffs. Not wrestle buddies, more vibe buddies. Then the neighbors moved out overnight. Now the window is empty. Gracie sniffs the sill, perks at every creak, and looks deeply unimpressed by this plot twist.

Here's the fork in the catwalk. The pawrent feels fine as a one-cat household, yet Gracie clearly enjoyed having a nearby friend. Space exists, budget exists, and a tender gap sits where the window romance used to be. Would a second cat soothe that gap or crowd the throne. That's the purrspective to weigh, with Gracie's happiness at center stage.

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    'They enjoyed the company, if only based on how grumpy they were about being kept apart
    via MNstudio / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

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    I've had Gracie for four years. I don't know how old she is -- six years? Eight? The shelter and the vet disagreed.
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    She's an absolute angel. I love her to bits. All other things being equal, I think she's probably enough cat for me. I can tell she gets bored, though -- I play with her, take her out on the porch, give her catnip, scratching posts, automated toys, and she seems to enjoy all of it, but sometimes after all that she'll just meow at me expectantly and I won't really know what to do for her.
    via ForSpareParts
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    Cheezburger Image 10555134208
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    I'm lucky to live in a three unit building with a shared enclosed walkup. My longtime neighbors have an elderly male cat who tolerates Gracie, but doesn't seem that interested in her. But a few months ago, we got new tenants, and they brought with them a one year old named Jacks.
    via ForSpareParts
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    Gracie and Jacks seemed absolutely obsessed with each other -- he and Gracie would hang out together at his window and he'd whine to be let out, and at night she'd sometimes just sit on the porch staring at the window waiting for him to show up. When the neighbors did let
    via ForSpareParts
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    Jacks outside, Gracie kept him at a distance at first, but over time she let him get close and sniff. They didn't really play with each other, but I'm guessing they enjoyed the company, if only based on how grumpy they were about being kept apart.
    via ForSpareParts
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    Last week, the neighbors unexpectedly moved out. No warning, they were just gone one morning. Gracie has been sniffing at their window looking for her friend, and keeps looking up at the window when she hears a noise. It's heartbreaking.
    via ForSpareParts
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    Cheezburger Image 10555171328
    via kali9 / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

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    I have been considering cat number two for a long time. almost as long as I've had Gracie -- and have always waffled. I certainly have the space, and I can afford it; I'm just hesitant with any big life change. And I'm
    via ForSpareParts
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    sure that I would come to love another cat if I got one, but like I said above: I personally am fine with the status quo. So more than anything, this is about her. How would you all think about this in my position?
    via ForSpareParts
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    lobstersonskatebo... Plenty of other people said it, but I'll also say that fostering is a good middle ground for you to "test the waters". Especially if she's an active cat, she can take on younger cats that might be too rambunctious for the shelter. I will say that you really have to consider your cat's personal quirks, in a way we redditors wouldn't
    via lobstersonskateboard
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    be able to point out. If you feel like a cat won't be a good fit, don't feel pressured into it; adversely, if you do feel like the quirks of the second cat fall in line with yours, go for it! It's a very instinct-heavy process. And if you find a cat that yours vibes well with, then yippee!
    via lobstersonskateboard

  • Fostering can be the purrfect trial run to see if a second cat is a good fit. If it works out and everyone’s happy, you can make the adoption official.

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    frycrunch96 My cat was an only cat but he grew up around dogs and always had humans home. I moved him with me to Nashville and suddenly he was alone a lot. He got sooooo bored and would often hunt me through the house lol so I got him a cat.
    via frycrunch96
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    They play, they don't cuddle or anything but they don't. hate each other. He seems a lot happier having her around. I just moved them both to a new city and I think having each other around helped them both acclimate better
    via frycrunch96
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    Response-Glad It sounds like your cat might enjoy company. What I would say is left to consider:
    via Response-Glad
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    • a second cat isn't 2x the expenses, it's actually like 3x the expenses. Somehow they have a way of getting each other into trouble they might not have otherwise and things compound, so if your budget is at all tight, I would consider that
    via Response-Glad
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    • sometimes (most times) it's not an instant connection. Expect to have to heavily monitor your cats and spend more time at home for the first few months to ensure a positive introduction. Good luck!
    via Response-Glad

  • With more love comes more responsibility. Extra food, vet bills, toys, and time spent monitoring cat dynamics. Totally doable if you’re ready, but definitely something to consider before making the leap.

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    AdMassive4640 I would say you should do it. I was in a similar situation when we got our first cat. My husband and I felt terrible leaving her home by herself all day while we were at work. When we'd come home she'd be waiting at the door. We got our second cat as a kitten and it took about a month for them to warm up to each other. They
    via AdMassive4640
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    aren't best friends, but they do like to cuddle a lot and my older cat doesn't seem to be as sad when we aren't home. Given how Gracie reacted to Jacks leaving, I would say she's probably open to having a sibling.
    via AdMassive4640

  • Sounds like Gracie might be asking for a sibling. If she enjoyed having a window buddy, adding a second cat could make her happier and keep her entertained when you’re not around.

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    Basic-Durian8875 Introducing a younger cat(or dog) to a cat around your age has been proven to cause them to live longer. More exercise. I SAY GO FOR IT!
    via Basic-Durian8875
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    riversroadsbridges I got my cat a cat to help him with his anxiety. It's been about a decade and I have no regrets. It worked, and now I have two happy cats.
    via riversroadsbridges
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    hummingbird7777... It really depends on Gracie and how she will respond to another cat in her own home her specific territory. The second cat will need to be a good fit in personality and energy level. I would match her in age maybe a couple years younger, no more than
    via hummingbird7777777
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    that. Introduce them slowly, following Jackson Galaxy's protocol, and give them several months, not weeks, to relax in each other's presence.
    via hummingbird7777777

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pets siblings advice cat owners feline pawrents Cats friends wholesome
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