Does your cat have a special animal friend? Sure cats can learn to live with other cats, dogs, and any number of animals. We see YouTube and FaceBook videos of cats paired with ducks, pigs, horses, chickens, even owls and chimpanzees. But what is the best friend for a cat?
I doubt we can decide a friend for our cat anymore 
than someone could pick our friends. You’ve probably seen it happen—someone sets you up on a blind date, knowing you would adore this person and you don’t. Or a friend says they just met someone who has the same interests as you do and acts like you do and they can’t wait to introduce you. Then they’re surprised and shocked when the two of you have virtually nothing to say to one another.
Most cats, I believe, find their own best friend. The opportunity is greater for the cat when he lives on a farm or ranch where he’ll likely meet up with calves, geese, rabbits, and goats. Who knows which animal he’ll invite into the house—perhaps an abandoned baby opossum or even a tortoise. The bigger question is, does the cat 
need a best friend?
When we rescued Max and his kitten sisters from our woodpile one summer, we attempted to socialize them, but we weren’t getting anywhere. Finally, a dog behaviorist/friend suggested that the kittens were bonding with each other. In order for us to bond with them, we needed to separate them. And that worked. I found homes for the little girls and kept Max. It didn’t 
take long for him to realize that he probably needed me and he finally succumbed to my overtures. It’s really cool when a cat chooses you as his best friend.
But do cats need animal friends? I think 
they do. Even though Lily and Sophie were not cuddle-buddies, they often related to one another throughout the day. They played, they sparred, they joined together in enticing us to feed them earlier than usual and when they wanted treats. 
And now that Lily is gone, Sophie calls for her, looks for her at meal time, and is a lot more affectionate with us. At some level Sophie misses Lily. At times it’s as if she’s begging me to bring her home, maybe not because she liked her very much, but because cats do appreciate order and routine and sameness. And when anyone is suddenly absent for any length of time or another animal is introduced into the household, a cat’s sameness is interrupted. They will notice and they will react.
Here’s a site you might enjoy if you ever wondered if cats need animal friends.
