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Last updated on July 5th, 2024 at 11:38 am
Bonded pairing is common among many animal groups. I’ve noticed it in my cats over the years. Some may be littermates while others just pair up for companionship.
what’s bonded pairing?
A bonded pair is usually cats that have formed a relationship. This can be siblings or even cats that are similar ages. Or even an older cat and a younger cat.
You can read more about this via the VCA Animal Hospitals and this Hartz article. It explains it better than I can.
Both males and females form bonded pairs
I’ve seen both male and female cats form bonded pairs. Granted my cats were never so bonded that they would cry when their partner was gone but they did spend time together.
Pal and Tigger form a bonded pairing and they were both males. I think Tigger was grateful to have a home.
Pal also created a bonded pair with my rabbit Hop. He came along a few months after we found Pal. They became the best of friends.
It hurt my heart when Hop passed. All the cats were looking for him all around the yard. They were even calling for him.
Bonding can happen at any age
I’ve noticed that bonded pairs can happen at any age. From kittenhood to adult cats. As I mentioned Pal and Tigger were older when they bonded. They were probably around a year old or so. Pal bonded with my other cats too as he got older.
Siblings can form bonded pairs
The first time I truly saw bonded pairs was with Boot’s litter. She had two male and two female kittens. Each set of brothers and sisters paired up. She had a white kitten, a tabby, and two black and white kittens like her.
Mr. White bonded with his sister Stripes. He would get so nervous when they weren’t together he would start to cry. Now that they are a bit older they aren’t as bonded but they still love each other.
The only reason I think Mr. White bonded so well with his sister is that he had an awful respiratory infection when he was a kitten that his eyes crusted over. We thought he might go blind but we weren’t able to catch him in order to take him I for treatment. Thankfully the infection cleared up on its own and he seems to be perfectly healthy now.
FYI I didn’t name Mr. White after Breaking Bad’s Walter White.
Another example of bonded pairing was the late Bowie and Shadow. Since they were the runts of their litter they were always together. Bowie was Shadow’s protector and his voice. Shadow’s not much of a talker so Bowie would meow for the both of them.
Shadow bonded with Winnie too they were small in size so he enjoyed her company. He also liked to share her food with her.
Bonded pairs can happen in different species
Your pets don’t have to be the same species to form bonded pairs. As I mentioned Pal had our rabbit Hop as his partner for a while before Tigger came along.
Hop used to scare Tigger out of our yard he would honk like a goose and chase him away because he didn’t want him near Pal.
He and Pal used to groom each other too when they were younger. Pal would help Hop groom his ears.
there are degrees of bonded pairs
From what I’ve seen there are degrees of bonding. Some cats are inseparable. While others like to have their own space but come together to check on their partner.
Some bonded pairs are together all the time. Some may even sleep together and even groom each other.
Some bonded pairs may be prone to anxiety when separated from their partner. Mr. White was like this when he was a kitten. If he couldn’t find Stripes he’d pace and start to call for her. He was so loud I’d have to go outside to see what was wrong with him. Once he found her he was fine. Now at nearly 2 years old, he’s grown out of that habit. He does still love his sister but isn’t as clingy with her.
Jack and his sister Willie are like that too. Willie disappeared for like a week and every night Jack would come inside and call for his sister. Willie does the same for Jack if she can’t find him outside.
Bonded pairs may take longer to find a home
Many rescue groups or even shelters may have bonded pairs. Some may take longer to find a home. Not everyone is open to adopting two cats instead of one.
Personally, I think it’s good to have two pets instead of one. They can keep each other company.
Bonded pair cats are wonderful to have and add extra love to your home.
