topic Re: Thoughts on 1 or 2 kittens? in Pet Lovers

Thoughts on 1 or 2 kittens?

Julie_23 — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 08:24:19 GMT

Hi,

If looking to get a kitten, any thoughts on getting one or two? What might be the benefits? Or, drawbacks? (not talking about litter, food, etc.)

Would they be less apt to bond with me? (Spending time with them is not an issue. Have always grown up with pets.)

It is difficult for me to get into details because of heartache.

Thanks for any input.

Re: Thoughts on 1 or 2 kittens?

gardenman — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 10:18:45 GMT

I'd go with two given the option. They'll still bond with you (food, headrubs, treats, playing, etc.) but they'll also have each other. Watching two kittens playing with each other is fun too.

Re: Thoughts on 1 or 2 kittens?

de1rdre — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 10:48:21 GMT

Go for two, definitely. Many years ago, a mother cat and her five kittens were rescued from the bushes outside my workplace. At the time, I had no pets and had come from a dog family. Nonetheless, I found myself saying "well, if I take one, I should take two". That's what I did, and I never looked back. I took two males from the same litter and the brothers were inseparable until the first one died many years later.

Re: Thoughts on 1 or 2 kittens?

birkin baby — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 12:53:26 GMT

Two. How awesome that you are giving kittens a home. 🐈🐈😁

Re: Thoughts on 1 or 2 kittens?

shoptheQ — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 13:09:30 GMT

My daughter adopted a sister and brother kittens. When they grew up the male was much larger and kept attacking the female (to him it was play) but she didn't like it. If you get two I would recommend two females.

I adore cats, the one I have now was trained as a kitten to be taken outside on a leash. Always get smiles by passer buys when we take our walks.

Re: Thoughts on 1 or 2 kittens?

beastielove — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 13:11:49 GMT

Julie_23 wrote:

Hi,

If looking to get a kitten, any thoughts on getting one or two? What might be the benefits? Or, drawbacks? (not talking about litter, food, etc.)

Would they be less apt to bond with me? (Spending time with them is not an issue. Have always grown up with pets.)

It is difficult for me to get into details because of heartache.

Thanks for any input.

Julie

Please definitely get two kittens. The benefit for the kittens is that they'll have each other for company which they will need and want.

There are no drawbacks....trust me...those kittens will bond with you!

I have had cats all of my life and am currently mommy to five

of them...all are rescues.

Please post back and let us know what you decided to do.

-------------------------------------------

All of my children have paws =^..^=

Re: Thoughts on 1 or 2 kittens?

Firefly3 — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 13:25:06 GMT

I would go for the two!

I am sure they would enjoy having each other to grow up with!

Re: Thoughts on 1 or 2 kittens?

nomless — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 13:32:36 GMT

Two, so they have each other when you're not there. Caring for two is no harder than caring for one. They will bond to you, don't worry about that.

Re: Thoughts on 1 or 2 kittens?

Marp — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 13:47:35 GMT

Another vote for getting two. Not only will they have each other when you aren't there they will also play with each other rather than a single kitten burning energy in a way you might find undesirable.

They get a companion, you get double the love and double the fun but if you decide two kittens might be too much energy for you to handle a kitten and an adult companion might be the answer. Same benefits of double the love and double the fun with a bit less energy.

Re: Thoughts on 1 or 2 kittens?

qvcfreak — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 14:19:59 GMT

I vote for 2 as well. I always like for my pets to have companionship when I'm not home. Let us know what you decide and good luck

Re: Thoughts on 1 or 2 kittens?

traveler — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 14:26:19 GMT

About 25 years I got 2 brothers who were littermates. They lived for 17 years and were always together. About a year ago I got a rescue cat. We think she's about 2 yo. Now I'm thinkin of getting a second cat but I'm concerned about her reaction. She hisses at neighborhood cats through the window.

Re: Thoughts on 1 or 2 kittens?

Tinkrbl44 — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 15:06:03 GMT

@Julie_23

Re: Thoughts on 1 or 2 kittens?

Tinkrbl44 — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 15:08:44 GMT

@Julie_23

You didn't mention whether you work or are retired and whether there are any other cats or dogs in your home ... all things said and done, IMO, two kittens are always better than one.

Re: Thoughts on 1 or 2 kittens?

April-Rose — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 15:31:30 GMT

I have mentioned my volunteer work with orphaned kittens and puppies, so I will throw in yet another opinion about adopting two kittens. If you adopt from a rescue shelter let them know you want two who need to be adopted together. Believe me, there will be two who need to be adopted together to a good home. It is no surprise the depression animals go through who get seperated.

My only caution is to take the advice of someone who knows the kittens personalities and which ones should go together. An aggressive personality who dominates another kitten is not a happy situation. Take two who dearly love each other. If they are a little older the personalities will be evident and you will get two who are a perfect match.

It sounds like you had a recent heartache. Thank you for opening your home to an animal (or two) who needs love, safety, food and shelter. The kitten(s) will love you for it. The fun, warmth, purring and company will be a lovely addition to your home.

Re: Thoughts on 1 or 2 kittens?

nycgrl — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 15:44:53 GMT

Definitely 2. Preferably siblings who are already bonded. I volunteered at a vet for about 3 years and my main task was to assist with socializing stray and feral cats (big difference) and their kittens, as we always had TNR cats and would adopt out the kittens. It was always so hard to separate them - I hated that part, but was always so happy when they got a home and think to myself what would have happened to these sweet babies had someone not brought them in. It was also great to see when the owners would come in and the kittens were growing, thriving and happy.

Good for them, good for you. Congratulations.

Re: Thoughts on 1 or 2 kittens?

halfpint1 — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 15:59:52 GMT

I want another cat since my older one passed away this year. I took in a cat who hung around an outside mall. She wou ld always come to see me and she still follows me like a pu ppy dog. The two never got along since th e yo unger still had her claws and would sometimes chase the older one. So I hope when I do get another one they will get along. So by all means get two together.

Re: Thoughts on 1 or 2 kittens?

MadameQueen — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 16:07:36 GMT

Definitely two I adopted a brother and sister. They are so different in every way. The girl is very small, black and white and her brother is a large grey tabby. They used to be closer (they were born at the shelter and lived 5 months in a cage together). The girl is my shadow but the boy doesn't want as much attention. you won't be sorry.

Re: Thoughts on 1 or 2 kittens?

April-Rose — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 16:53:08 GMT

Same litter, but may have different fathers. I rescued a ferel mother with four kittens. The vet said the large black male was from a different father than the remaining grey and orange kittens. The mother ovulates at the time of mating and that is the reason kittens in the same litter can be fathered from different males. I have no idea about your two. What does your vet say?

Your cats are beautiful!

Re: Thoughts on 1 or 2 kittens?

AKgirl2 — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 18:28:07 GMT

We adopted two (brothers)...they were inseparable and I called them "the bookends"...they sat, slept and layed the same way.

The best was watching them play, so entertaining. Both were affectionate, but one little guy was more affectionate than his brother. They were great company, especially for us!

Re: Thoughts on 1 or 2 kittens?

Big Time — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 18:37:48 GMT

For myself, I decided on one kitten, for the following reasons. These reasons may not align with your needs/lifestyle, but thought I would share. 1. I only want to clean out a litter box for 1 cat. 2. I take my cat on airline travel frequently. Not easy to transport 2 in the cabin and very expensive to pay for both 3. Cleaning up fur -- while I have a housekeeper once a week, even with one kitty, the shedding can be messy. I am a clean freak. 4. OK, many will not like this one, but I am known in my personal and business lives for being very excentric. I just don't want to hear the "crazy cat lady" comments. Yeah, I should not care what others say or think, but it bothers me. Having 2 can be grist for the mill and I don't want to hear it. 5. I sometimes get ichy eyes from animal dander. Even with constant cleaning after one cat, i can have symptoms, so didn't want to risk with 2.