My wife and I are thinking of getting a cat from a cat protection rescue centre. There's a really nice cat who we'd like to give a home to but we're worried that he'll get lonely when we're both at work during the day.
At the moment, he's surrounded by other cats at the rescue centre and our concern is that he will not enjoy living at our house due to a lack of other cats not only in the day or generally.
Has anyone got any thoughts on this?
Many thanks in advance.

Cats are solitary by nature, and usually will have no problems being left alone during the day. Unlike dogs who are social pack animals, and often fret if left alone. Don't make the mistake, by the way, of thinking your cat is lonely a year or two after you get it. For they are also very territorial, and will strongly resent the cat you bring it for company.

There are exceptions of course, but these are rare.

have you thought about getting two? they'd keep each other company. They are quite self sufficient creatures though, and it'd be so busy exploring its new home that it wouldn't have time to get lonely !

Translated .....

Then they would both sleep all day instead of just one of them.

Thats what my two do anway ..... sleep .... all ..... day.

Don't worry the cat will be fine. I had mine for 6 years on his own. Mind you he did bring home a pair of kittens once. He also brought home other cats who stayed for a bit. I rehomed the kittens as no one claimed them. Roger the ginger lodger stayed for a week and the lovely tabby stray is with me still 11 years later. I also used to find the cat from the flat upstairs curled up with him when |I got home. I later acquired another stray when we moved house but original cat hated him and they avoided each other.
In my experience if they are lonely they'll find a friend

If you can afford the upkeep of two, I would thoroughly recommend two, it's really funny and cute too.

I had only ever had one cat at a time, but last year we decided to get new kittens - sadly Ziggy is on his own now, but he is ok and enjoying being Mr Important!

So if you choose to stick with one, they sleep throughout the day or as they get older and wonder out into the world, there is plenty to occupy them

Enjoy

The cats protection league wouldn't give us a cat because we worked all day. Couldn't understand how a life cooped up in one of their little glass boxes was better but they seemed to think so.

The rather odd lady that did the assessment was also a bit taken aback that we didn't intend to let it out. not because we disagreed with the whole idea of it but because my little girl said she would be upset wondering where her kitty was when we saw one ran over one day.

The cat we rehomed from the SSPCA in Stirling (who had no issues with it being left) had a grand old life with us. Sometimes I think these cat people take things far too seriously.

I used to work part time and leave my cat inside on horrible days or let her out during the day on nice days. She was pleased to see us and be with us when we were home but she also seemed happy to be out exploring or sleeping inside alone as well.

My cat is fine at home on his own. There are a couple of stray cats that visit us most days and he doesnt like them being in the flat. This is his territory and he will watch the strays like a hawk until they leave. They dont fight or anything I think my cat just gets jealous when he sees us stroking other cats

My cat manages on her own sometimes for 2 or 3 days at a time (any longer my friends wife who works near my house will check on her), he only problem is other cats coming into the house and eating her food but she is pretty good at protecting her territory and it's not too much of an issue.

My mate and his then wife got a cat from the CPL and it was alone during the day as they both worked, his cat lived a happy life to a ripe old age, don't remember it ever being a problem.

Cats tend to sleep about 23 hours a day. As long as you serve your sole purpose of opening a can of food for him at some point during the hour he's awake he's not going to care less where you are for the rest of the time.

Cats are absolutely fine on there own. I had one for years and he could have bn left on his own for days (not inside). Its dogs that are the worry when it comes to leaving them alone. Cats are brilliant, as are dogs

So, so true

We got out kitten aged 9 weeks and were terribly worried about leaving her....... We had a weekend together and my BF even did a half day on the Monday

We needn't have worried, every single time the first one home comes in she pops up all bleary eyed - as she has been fast asleep

As long as they have a cat flap (or access to litter tray if they are kept indoors) and food and water they are fine!!!

OP, it does depend on the situation of the rescue cat though - the rescue home will be best to advise you if the cat can be left alone.... I know some rescue cats will need a little extra love and attention so please ask and be honest!!

On the whole cats - as long as they have their creature comforts - will be fine to be left alone

Mine has a cat flap and comes and goes as she pleases. She has a "childlike" mind and makes her own entertainment.

On Saturday night I watched her chase her own tail. That's how much fun she has!

Has she done that half way up the stairs yet??

We made that mistake!

After 8 months there still seems to be a bit of "resentment" from the original cat, but they tend not to have too much to do with each other (except at 5am when they decide to punce on each other contunually!)

I do find it quite funny when the "new" kitty starts grooming the "old" kitty. She starts off all sweet and licks his head, then he gets fed up after a while and tries to move away so she bats him with her paw as if to say "OI! Keep still, I'm not done yet!!"

Mine puts a paw on my face and pins me down and licks my hair.

I guess I am a giant cat to her!

lol, one of mine chases his tail - in the bath, around the shower curtain. Highly amusing, but not so great at 4 in the morning - the bath is a noisy enamel one, and he weighs about 8 kilos (maine coon mix...) - cute as hell though.

My advice would be to get kittens rather than adult cats if you are thinking of getting two.

Get them young, and they will accept any other creature that is in the house. Try to fit them in at a later age, and there is a high risk of it ending in tears.

I would also recommend that if you are going to leave a cat in the house alone, that you get a pair. They do get lonely (although they don't show it as obviously as dogs do) and they will be more stimulated if there are two there to play with one another.

I introduced a new 1yr old ish she cat to a household with 2 male (brothers) cats and they took to her fine. Years later I added another girl. The boys were fine but the earlier female has never taken to the female incomer. I only have the girls now who have lived together for 8 years. They still literally tolerate each other and rarely except meal times (when they often squabble) will be in the same room. Oddly enough the older cat gets on really well with our dog (introduced to both cats as a puppy) but the younger cat again reluctantly tolerates the dog (who is terrified of her)!

As far as mixing cats go if not kittens avoid same sex. (Obviously careful consideration is required if you want to avoid adding to the clowder)!