We are going to pick up our new kitten tomorrow night and it turns out that there are still three remaining. Will it be better to take a pair, as opposed to having just the one? What are the benefits and pitfalls of having two kittens instead of having one one it's own? Thanks
2007-11-22 02:39:16 · 25 answers · asked by slıɐuǝoʇ 6 in Pets ➔ Cats
Benefits = keep themselves busy,. funny to watch, more contented.
Downside = more mess, get into more mischief, double the killings and they hunt better in a pack. more expensive to keep and I think you need to make sure you get she cats unless you intend to have lots of little cats under foot, Queens are generally more affectionate but you obviously have to have them "done" to avoid population explosion.
Enjoy your kitten whatever you decide x
2007-11-22 09:16:12 · answer #1 · answered by trish 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've often had two from the same litter and found a male and female pairing works best. Two males/females will fight eventually over territory!
As they are siblings though it's doubly important to have one or both spayed and neutered. They should be done as early as possible too. Siblings should NEVER mate! The genetics are too close and often cause deformity and severe health problems.
Because they are brought up together they never have the problems introducing two different cats have and don't know that they should prefer being alone, so tend to be friendlier to each other as well. Initially it can be harder training two cats and it costs more, Vet fees and vaccinations etc and food bills are higher but I think it's well worth it! They play together more and are very amusing to watch though they can be noisy when they fight and while young play-fighting seems to be the favourite game, with stalking each other a very close second.
If you can afford it I'd go for the pair!
2007-11-22 03:59:34 · answer #2 · answered by willowGSD 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would say definitely get two. I have just one and when I got her I thought it would be fine cause cats are so independant but my cat is very clingy to me and while I do love it, I do feel bad because I do work and live alone so she's left alone most of the day. I am planning on getting another kitten but now I have to deal with introducing a kitten to the boss of the house so if I had it to do all over again, I would have gotten two!
2007-11-22 06:22:24 · answer #3 · answered by Jonela 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yeah get 2.
When I got my 1st 2 cats I got 2 girls and they were litter mates. They did everything together. They had kittens at the same time too, and we kept one from each litter, 2 boys this time and they were the same.
They do so well having a play mate. I only have 1 of my girls now she's 7. But my hubby has a cat to and they have both changed for the better now they have company - even if it's only for a little while when smoky comes in coz its raining. (my cat Willow stays indoors most of the time and Smoky is a outdoors cat mostly)
2007-11-22 05:31:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The two kitties, being brothers or sisters, will have a friend to play with at all times. Like, in the early morning hours when everyone is sleeping they can run around and be crazy with someone else rather then playing alone. The two kittens that I kept from a litter love each other, they are always laying on the couch hugging each other, or sleeping in the spooning position. It's adorable.
2007-11-22 02:44:01 · answer #5 · answered by Trish 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
It's recommended that if you have a cat under 6 months old and you are not going to be home all the time then you should have another cat or kitten in the house to keep it company. Two kittens will play together, one kitten will get bored and be naughty.
2007-11-23 02:16:15 · answer #6 · answered by SarahLou 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
definitely. Kittens always like others to play with. If you were to get kittens from RSPCA, Cats Protection etc they will only let you have them in pairs. This is particularly important if you are going to be out for some of the day. Kittens need other kittens/cats to develop. The analogy would be leaving a baby on its own without stimulation and expecting it to develop properly - it would n't - it needs care.
Also remember to get kittens spade asap (ask vet for when this can be done) - if you can't afford this one of the cat charities may do this for free. Otherwise you will be having lots of other kittens before you know it. Don't let them out until this has been done!
Enjoy your kitten - I am sure they will be wonderful.
2007-11-22 02:55:04 · answer #7 · answered by Mel B 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes you should definately get two. The cats then will have some one who understands them on their level. Having another cat will also alleviate boredom. Be prepared to occassionally have to break up little fights, but I think the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. The SPCA in NYC will not let folks adopt a single kitten. Kittens only go out in pairs or more. They understand that it's always best to have two kittens.
2007-11-22 02:54:46 · answer #8 · answered by j_tanus 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have taken in two sets of twin kittens, both born to stray mothers, and also adopted two litter mates some years ago. They will play with and amuse each other, and amuse you, too, with their antics. What one doesn't think of, the other does. All mine were neutered at the appropriate age. Out of the six, only one was a girl, but all pairs got on OK. If I were adopting more, I would definitely get litter mates.
The only downside I can think of is the cost.
2007-11-22 06:55:08 · answer #9 · answered by steffi 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have two cats that I got as kittens, but they are not siblings. One tom and a female, both neutered. Both lovely cats but they hate each other! They usually avoid facing each other, but every now and then we get a bit of hissing and growling and the odd bit of fur flies! Perhaps it makes a difference if they have been together for that initial six weeks. The disadvantage apart from that is the cost of the injections and the neutering - I am always in a trance on the way home from the vet, wondering how they can justify their fees! Anyway, whatever you decide, I hope you are pleased and get years of pleasure from him/her or them. Good luck.
2007-11-22 03:03:00 · answer #10 · answered by jonquilblack 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
ok here it goes... I prefer having 2.. they play with each other and can burn off energy without pestering you all the time - except that 2 kittens can be destructive as they toss and tumble with each other...
expense is a concern - can you afford to vaccinate, deworm and spay or neuter both??? if not then only get one..
it sounds to me like you are getting from somebody rather than from a shelter.... this is unfortunate.. you always are better off to get from a shelter - yes you pay to adopt BUT the cats will have medical done for them at a lower cost than it will be for you to get these kittens done on your own - plus in a way you are rewarding somebody for allowing their cat to breed....
check the kittens for ear mites - infact the first thing you should do is take them to a vet...
I would suggest two same sexed kittens - either both boys or both girls and plan on getting them fixed at 6 months for the girls - 8 months for the boys...
if you do get more than one you will want to have two (or 3) litter boxes because sometimes one cat tries to dominate the litter box...
really think hard about it though - if you are concerned about your furniture being scratched - do not get kittens at all - get adult cats..
if you have financial concerns only get one kitty - or none.
2007-11-22 02:58:10 · answer #11 · answered by CF_ 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋