#PetsAddlLife National Get A Pal For Your Pet Day
When our cat Merlin’s lifelong companion died he was sad and lonely. At age 16 we wondered if it was too late to introduce a kitty companion or two. Three years later, Merlin is happy with his three devoted cat pals. They groom him in places he can’t reach, snuggle with him day and night and keep an eye out for him (Merlin is blind). It was the best and healthiest decision ever. As always, I encourage what is best for our pets and occasionally some cats are happier being the only pet in the home.
That said, most cats enjoy a cat, dog or other pet companion. To help encourage more people to recognize the joys of multiple pets, the American Pet Products Association (APPA), through their non-profit campaign Pets Add Life (PAL), has officially declared November 19 as National Get A Pal For Your Pet Day. The holiday is designed to encourage pet parents to consider adopting additional furry, winged and/or finned family members. According to APPA’s 2013/2014 National Pet Owners Survey, multiple pet ownership is at an all-time high with 44 percent of pet-owning households in the U.S. owning more than one pet (up from 42 percent of households in 2010).
“We couldn’t be more excited to have a dedicated, national holiday to educate and encourage multiple pet ownership,” said APPA President Bob Vetere. “Pets Add Life is about promoting the many joys and benefits of responsible pet ownership, and we are finding more and more that multiple pet ownership is not only better for pets, but better for their families in general. Our pets need friends, and there are so many great pets out there needing a good home.”
Considering adding an additional pal to the family? Below are a few benefits and tips to keep in mind:
- Social interaction: Having at least two pets of the same type allows for more social interaction and will help keep them happier and healthier. For example, cats socialize by grooming and playing with each other.
- Improved health and exercise: Not only is it entertaining to watch, but pets racing around together playing encourages exercise that they might not receive without a pal. Two or more cats are less likely to be destructive than a lonely single cat.
- Companionship: When owners are away from home that makes for long, lonely days for single pets. Adding a new pet to the home not only provides humans additional companionship, but pets are much happier when they also have a pal to spend their days with.
- Choose the best pet for your lifestyle: Adding an additional pet to the home is a big responsibility and its important to consider which type of pet suits your home, lifestyle and family best. Check out the following to help determine which pet is right for you: http://www.healthypet.com/FindAPet/FindRightPet.aspx
10 Comments
Texas, a cat in... Austin
Yeah for multi-pet (kitties!) families!
Skeeter and Izzy
You know we are on board with the multi-cat household!!!There is also a cockatiel that lives in our crazy house!
Luvs Skeeter and Izzy and the Feral Gang + Peanut and Twig and Romeo and Joey the Cockatiel >^..^<
Flynn
When Kit was the last remaining of our 11 strong fur family she started to pine, so we got Eric and Flynn as company for her. She wanted nothing to do with the two crazy kittens at first but soon came to adore then and enjoyed a further two happy years before she went to the Bridge. Flynn adored Eric and when he passed I so wanted to get him a companion to ease his loneliness, but I know it wouldn’t work. Flynn is so territorial. He only has to see a strange cat in the distance and he turns from an affectionate purring love bug to a screaming and hissing banshee. It breaks my heart to see him still lying by Eric’s grave or waiting at the gate, but I am sure introducing another cat would do more harm than good.
meowmeowmans
Oh, by the way, we saw your comment about a feature on Truffle, and LOVE the idea. Is there anything specific you need from us? Thank you for the kind and generous offer to help our friend.
meowmeowmans
We agree — most pets like to have a pal or two! Sometimes, it just takes a little while for them to get used to the idea, though. 🙂
da tabbies o trout towne
thiz bee a grate eye dea….we mite hafta think bout gettin sum fish…ina tank… 🙂
Pam and Sam
Nothing would make me happier than if we had multiple cats in our household….Sam, however is just one of those guys who doesn’t really enjoy sharing his home (or his Mom) with others. I do wish we had two or three more buddies for him though – especially when we’re gone overnight – just for the companionship aspect. But I do think it’s really wonderful that there’s a special day to celebrate getting a pet for your pal. I wish we could do that for Sam.
Hugs, Pam
Katie and Cocco
That’s wonderful. I think it’s important for a pet to have a pal to play with if possible, especially making it easier to leave the house even for a couple hours.
Bev Green
I have never had a problem introducing a new kitten or catkin…our much missed Simba was a hard headed tough guy and whenever i bought fosters home he was so tolerant..if they pushed their luck this big panther guy would very gently but firmly place his paw on their little heads…they knew they had to behave…one in a million boy and we miss him terribly.
Kathryn
Oh yes, I truly believe this and glad to know how much your pals have enriched everybody lives.