Get

In Your Inbox

Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Can Two Male Cats Get Along? Interesting Facts & FAQ

Can Two Male Cats Get Along

Cats can be kept in pairs or groups in a multi-cat household. If you have one cat and are tempted to get another, it’s difficult to predict if your current cat will accept a new one. Felines are socially flexible, but how willing they are to welcome others into their territory can still vary, depending on their personality, previous experiences, age, and neutering status, and it often takes a little bit of time.

So, can two male cats get along? There’s little evidence to suggest that the sex of cats affects whether they get along with other cats, as long as all the cats are spayed or neutered.

divider 2 cats

Are Male Cats Sociable?

Cats that are not owned tend to live in groups or colonies. In feral groups, the cats tend to be mainly females and their offspring, but that doesn’t mean that unrelated females, male-female pairs, or unrelated males can’t get along. It depends more on the age and personality of the individual cats than their sex.

Overall, younger cats are generally more accepting of new cats. Adults and older cats may be less flexible. A sociable adult cat will likely be friendly; likewise, a solitary adult cat that lived on their own for most of their life will likely stay solitary and be less willing to accept others. But there are no rules, as a cat’s individual personality plays an important role. If you are concerned about your cats behavior, we suggest speaking to a vet.

If you need to speak with a vet but can't get to one, head over to PangoVet. It's an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!

PangoVet_Mention-in-Content for PangoVet2 save money

Should I Get Another Cat?

If you have a kitten, it’s possible to bring in another kitten and have a pair that will bond strongly as they enter adolescence and adulthood.

If you have an adult cat that’s established in your home, you may want to think carefully about getting another. The introduction period can take a while for both cats to be fully acclimated, and even if you do everything right, some adult cats will never accept another adult cat in their space.

Whether you get mixed-sex cats or same-sex cats, they must be fixed. Aggression and fighting are more likely to occur with sex hormones flowing freely.

It’s important to pair cats with similar personalities, as nervous and scared cats may not enjoy living with very confident and outgoing cats. If you have a young, active male, getting another could be a good option. Similarly, older neutered males may enjoy a male or female kitten.

How Can I Tell if My Cat Wants a Companion?

The individual cat’s personality has more influence than their sex. If your cat, male or female, shows aggression or fear when other cats are around, such as hissing and growling at feral cats or marking outdoors, they’re likely not the type to welcome another cat into their space.

Even if your cat has been sociable with another cat, that doesn’t mean they will welcome a new one into their home. Some cats are naturally easygoing and friendly, while others are more reserved. It’s possible that your cat got along well with that one cat but will have a conflict with another.

Ideally, try to match personality types when looking for a companion for your cat to ensure a harmonious environment for everyone.

Two brown and white cats
Image Credit: Anastasia Lashkevich, Pexels

divider 2 cats

Conclusion

Cats living in a social group are more likely to be influenced by their personalities, not their sex. Male cats can bond with other males, provided that they are both social, neutered, and young when introduced. Generally, cats are more social with other related cats, and how well they accept a new cat greatly depends on their individual personalities.

See Also: 

Want content like this delivered to you?

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

News, insights, expert advice, and everything cat

* By submitting, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Catster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

2 Responses

  1. My cats are 5 years apart and are both male. It took less than 10 min before they were best buddies. Even though the kitten is now bigger than my 7 yr old, the 7yr of is still the boss of him. And of course i am the alpha.

    1. Hello!

      Hi Kim!
      Thank you for sharing this lovely story about your cats! It’s always wonderful to hear about the unique dynamics between our feline friends. It sounds like they have formed a fantastic bond, and it's great to know that your older cat is still the "boss," even with the younger one growing bigger. Cats have such interesting social structures, and it’s heartwarming to see how they adapt and find their own balance.

      We love hearing about the personalities of your pets and how they interact!

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

What to Do When You’re Scared of Your Own Cat: 10 Effective Tips & Tricks

Generally, owners live peaceful and pleasant lives with their cats. There might be the occasional scratch when playing, or hiss if you accidentally...

How to Cat Proof Blinds: 7 Helpful Tips to Try Today

Cats and blinds aren’t a great mix, as any cat parent knows. While cats may enjoy batting at dangling cords or trying to...

10 Amazing DIY Cardboard Cat Trees You Can Create at Home (With Pictures)

Cat ownership is an expensive venture, especially considering that most non-food items aren’t designed to last forever. Cat toys will get lost or...

We Chat With Photographer Robert Bahou on “Animal Soul”

What do you see when you look at a photo of your cat? If you’re like me, you probably see coming to life...

More related

Why Are Some Cats So Fractious During Vet Visits? Our Vet Explains

For many cats and their owners, a visit to the vet is a very stressful experience. Some cats do not mind the trip...

Why Is My Cat Drinking a Lot of Water Suddenly? 6 Vet-Reviewed Reasons

Cats, due to their nature and small size, don’t drink large amounts of water. The typical, healthy house cat will drink about 5...

350+ Warrior Cat Names: Ideas for Your Strong Cat

If you’re a fan of the Warrior Cats book series and want to use the clans and characters to derive inspiration for naming...

Is Free Feeding Cats the Best Method? Vet-Verified Pros & Cons

How and when you feed your cat is almost as important as what you feed them. Indeed, your cat relies on you to...

Keep reading

10 Senior Cat Health Problems: Vet-Verified Common Issues

Like people and other animals, cats start to show signs of aging as they reach their senior years. Typically, 10 years is considered to be senior for a cat, although many do go on to live to 17 or 18...

Catster_Health Problems of Senior Cat

How to Put On a Cat Collar in 4 Easy Steps

Getting your cat into a collar doesn’t have to be traumatic for you or your pet, and outfitting your cat with the proper collar is essential to maintaining their health and safety. A well-fitting collar with identifying information, including your...

Breakaway Red Collar Cat

My Cat Will Only Drink from the Faucet: 5 Reasons Why

Long-time cat owners know that getting their cats to drink enough water can sometimes be a struggle. Because cats always seem to choose the strangest way to complete ordinary tasks, you’ll also find some that will drink but only from...

cat drinking from faucet

Do Cats Eat Christmas Trees? Vet-Reviewed Risks & Tips

Christmas is a magical time that fills our homes with warm smells and sparkly lights. Only, cat owners have to deal with the constant chaos of owning a Christmas tree with a pet. Christmas trees, both live and artificial, can...

cat hiding in the Christmas tree

Why Is My Cat’s Fur Suddenly Matted? 7 Vet-Reviewed Reasons

Cats are famous for keeping themselves clean and looking neat all the time. In fact, some would say that cats are obsessive groomers. It’s safe to assume that if your cat isn’t sleeping, they’re probably grooming instead. That’s why it’s...

combing fur of a maine coon cat

Redirected Aggression in Cats: Vet-Verified Causes & How to Stop It

Redirected aggression occurs when a cat becomes frightened or overstimulated by something they can’t get to or do anything about and then attacks a person or another pet who has nothing to do with the triggering event. Redirected aggression can...

Cat Angry Scared

Why Is My Cat Making a Vibrating Noise? Vet-Approved Explanation

Perhaps you’re sitting on the couch with your cat that has wandered over to you for some affection. You oblige and scratch behind your pet’s ears as they lean into your hand. As you stroke your kitty’s back, you feel...

person petting a cat

How to Care For a Three-Legged Cat: Expert Tips & Advice

Tripawd, tripod, trilimb—whatever you call them, a three-legged cat is just a different kind of pet. They might need a bit of help to live their best lives, but these animals make as wonderful companions as any full-limbed pet. Whether...

Three-legged cat sitting near the railings