Afternoon!!
My partner and I have just moved into a two bed flat. We are looking to get a kitten. I want to get two but he says they will fight as there is not enough space, and also we have to think about the extra costs involved...
Is it really bad if we just get the one cat?? as I've been told its best to get two...
Will all the people who have one cat please put my mind at rest and tell me one cat is fine?
2007-11-06 01:20:02 · 16 answers · asked by tdz2103 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Put your mind at rest and just get the one cat. They're solitary animals anyway, and usually prefer to be on their own. (Apart from their humans that is. ;-) ) It's dogs that don't do that well on their own, not cats.
2007-11-06 02:26:01 · answer #1 · answered by kiwibeca 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good Afternoon (or evening, or whatever it is when you read this)!!
I had one cat for 10 years. There always seemed to be something missing although she was basically happy. I thought getting her a friend would be a good option but by the time I had the nerve to do it she was too old to really enjoy a kitten as I learned the hard way. So I got a third cat. The two younger cats play and snuggle. They keep each other company when I'm gone, especially on an overnight trip. And most of the time they play with each other and leave the older cat alone. Yes it is more money than one. Yes you can have just one and it will be fine. But from my personal experience I would recommend two if at all possible. No they won't fight anymore in a two bedroom flat than in a one bedroom or a six bedroom. They still will claim the whole house as their territory and have to figure out how to divide it up. With a two bedroom flat it will just be a smaller territory. No worries. If you are concerned about that, you can increase their territory by going up. Cats like to be up high so get cat trees and strategically placed shelving for them to climb on and this will help as well.
2007-11-06 15:55:51 · answer #2 · answered by Angie C 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Two cats are really no more trouble than one cat. Yes, there can be a bit more expense as it will be food and vet bills for two instead of one. Will they fight? Not necessarally. In fact an excellent way to INSURE that they won't would be to adopt a bonded pair. Talk to your local shelter or rescue group about this. There are always litter mates and friendly pairs who come in who they would prefer to place in the same home. You would be doing the cats a great service by adopting such a pair. Finally, do keep in mind that for cats play often involves mock combat so don't be alarmed if you see some "fighting". Often they will wrestle etc. but with claws retracted. Good luck!
2007-11-06 09:42:30 · answer #3 · answered by danl747 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cats sleep 18 hours a day, so if you're OK with double the amount of food and poop, two cats won't feel like anymore of a space impingement than one. I had one cat for 5 years, and we got a second when my husband and I got married. It's good for both of them -- the senior kitty (now about 12) is forced to be more active; the junior kitty has someone to play with and is probably less destructive than he would be if he were bored. That said, my senior kitty would have been happy as a clam to live her life as a solo kitty, the queen of the house. It sounds like you're in the UK, but check out petfinder.com -- it's a portal for available rescue cats. You will see that there are a very large number of cats up for adoption that the foster parents agree would be happier as "only" cats (no other cats, dogs, or children). One of those sounds perfect for you, and I bet you could find one locally.
2007-11-06 09:53:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I was younger we had only one. He was an outdoor cat for the first 7 years, so he had lots to amuse him. After he became an indoor only, he got a bit lazy. He lived to be almost 15 though, so it obviously didn't kill him to be an only cat.
On the two cat side, if you get two from the same place that are known to get along, they will only fight like human siblings do. I have two in a one bedroom apartment and they do just fine.
2007-11-06 09:30:18 · answer #5 · answered by Christina 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the kitty. Some get along just fine by themselves. Others prefer to have friends to play with.
The place I live in is about the same size as your flat, and my pair of cats are quite comfortable with it- though the male would like more space to romp in.
Good luck!
2007-11-06 10:10:39 · answer #6 · answered by Tigger 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
One cat takes more effort on your part to keep it entertained. I only have one cat and for financial reasons, won't be getting another. He's been slow to learn not to bite but that might be because he was taken away from his mother and siblings at 4 weeks (he fell into a bucket of motor oil and was quite ill when we found him). He definitely doesn't seem to suffer any ill effects from being an only cat.
2007-11-06 09:25:55 · answer #7 · answered by fluffy_aliens 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
one is fine but 2 wont fight - espec if they are from the same litter or same age. you could even try adopting an older cat that perhaps just wants to stay in, have a cosey lap to snuggle on during her retirement! there are lots of options. we had 2 kittens recently but they were a real handful at first!
2007-11-06 09:42:54 · answer #8 · answered by ejb199 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've only the one cat and she's my best mate. Two cats is fine and I don't think they'd fight for lack of space. Vets fees are pretty nasty as it is and with two cats they would be doubly nasty. If you can afford it and can persuade your partner then go for it as you'll get twice the fun out of them.
2007-11-06 09:28:15 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
One cat is fine especially if you're in a flat as they fight and may I say it spey to control their territory. I have one cat we live near a river so he gets out a lot to excercise.
2007-11-06 09:29:54 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋