Two kittens easier than one?

[FunkinEll]

I've just had a home visit from the RSPCA who have given the thumbs up for us to adopt the kitten we reserved last week.

I asked if any of her siblings had become available- they were all reserved when we went last week. One of her sisters is now available so I've said we'll have them both .

Am I mad or have I just made my life about easier?

[Costacoffeeplease]

I think kittens are better in pairs, but I currently have 14 cats so could be slightly biased

[Luckybe40]

I've got 2 kittens, 2 little females, they are just amazing together...I would definitely get 2. They are a massive support to each other, spend loads and loads of time playing, sleeping and chasing each other around the house. SO cute! If one is a male, and the other female get them neutered as soon as they are old enough or the female will get way too much unwanted attention!

[Wolfiefan]

We got two. You can't guarantee they will be best friends as they get older but when they were tiny it was a godsend having two. The little terrors wore each other out chasing each other about instead of shredding the furniture. Or us!
And pictures soon please!!!

[FunkinEll]

They're both girls so no problem with abuse but we'll get them neutered as soon as they are big enough.

H is worried that 2 will be double the work so is not so keen. Glad to hear it can make life easier.

We're picking them up on Sunday.

[Toddlerteaplease]

Definitely get two. You've got the stuff for one. One more makes little difference and double the love/fun/trouble!

[Wolfiefan]

I don't find two double the work at all. Obviously there's more expense and you need another litter tray or two but you have to put food down and clean litter tray out and provide fresh water whether you have one or two! They should amuse each other in the crazy kitten stage.
Do provide separate retreat or bed spaces in case they want time apart as they get older.

[Toddlerteaplease]

You might find you don't need two litter trays. If they've always shared. Mine are happy sharing their box

[iloveeverykindofcat]

Definitely not double the work. Two is less work than one in some ways. Not double the cost though (though more than the cost of one) as you can often get second cat discounts on things like vet care packages.

[FunkinEll]

Thanks for all of your replies. I'm really excited. We've not told the kids that we're getting another one so they're going to be very surprised/ happy.

Should I stick with the food the rescue have been feeding them? I think it was either whiskas or felix. From my reading these are very low in actual meat but then I've read that your should feed them what they've always had. Dilemma.

[YesItsMeIDontCare]

They're not low in meat. All the 4% refers to is the meat named on the packet. If it was as bad for animals as some people believe it would have been banned.

Yes I'd carry on feeding what they currently have and make any changes you want to make slowly. They may get upset tummies when they first move, but that is more likely to be reacting to new circumstances than the food.

[sugarplumfairy28]

We have never had just a single kitten. Well actually that's a lie. We first got a pair, twin sisters, but we very sadly lost one at 5 months old. We then got a single for the one left as she was pining and became so introverted. We got a single male a few months later but that was a whole different story and obviously he wasn't alone when we got him home.

We currently have 9 cats. Our original 3 had kittens, we kept 3. One of those had kittens, we kept two, one of those had kittens, we kept 2. Then 18 months ago we got 2 brothers (I know that adds up to 12, but we've sadly lost 3 over time). They comfort each other, play with each other, teach each other how to play. You would never worry about them being lonely, definitely not double the work. I don't think if there was an option to have 2 I would only have 1.

[thisusernameisnotavailable]

Wow and there's me thinking having 6 cats was a lot.

14

[YesLordSugar]

I got a brother and sister and then 5 years later got a kitten on her own. I really regret not getting her with her brother! She had no one to play with 😔 She relies on us to be her playmates as the other two are not interested in her 'fun' games (chasing them around the house)

[TheGrumpySquirrel]

costa that is a lot of cats!

I have two OP -brother and sister they snuggle up it's so cute.. my only reservation is the litter tray thing (mine refuse to go outside). It is double the poo!

[LizB62A]

The rescue we got our 2 kittens from generally home them in pairs as they're good company for each other (especially if you go out to work etc.).
Having got 2, I'd definitely encourage people to get 2 kittens rather than 1, who might get lonely....

re: food, keep them on what they're used to for a while, they do have sensitive tummies. I'm keeping mine on Felix As Good As It Looks kitten food until they can have adult cat food (at 1 year old)

Our two share a litter tray (it's a covered one, fairly large)

[FunkinEll]

I'm going to be full of questions for you all- sorry!

Should I get them different coloured food bowls or will they be ok with the same colour ones?

[Badcat666]

Keep them on the same food that they have been feeding them for the time being then you can start to sneak in some higher protein dry food or other cat food as you go along (make sure its a kitten variety).

No need for different coloured bowls! I recommend getting 2 for each kitten so you can put a new one done each day and wash the other ones. (makes life easier when they are trying to scramble up you for pleading for noms)

[Badcat666]

oh! and PICS!!! Need kitten pics to squeeeeeee over

Also 1 litter tray should be ok, get the biggest you can get! I've got one similar to this and helps keep all the litter inside the box and seems to make them feel secure when they use it. (since I got it they do like to follow me in the bathroom where it's kept and have a wee when I do!)

www.petplanet.co.uk/product.asp?dept_id=5933&pf_id=62182

[user1483809827]

Having 2 is easier than having 1 in my opinion. When they are kittens they entertain each other and rely on your attention a lot less. And watching them playing is so entertaining

[TheWanderingUterus]

We got two kittens a few months ago and they play together, protect each other from next doors cats, sleep together, groom each other's hard to reach places and make it easier to leave them alone for longish periods.

It hasn't been noticeably more expensive than my friend who got a single kitten at the same time, although more fur and poo obviously ( but the tray is the preteens job, not mine). Double the affection too, this is my lap right now:

[Icequeen01]

I've always had rescue kittens in pairs and would do so again. The two I currently have used to be joined at the hip and looked to each other for confidence. Now four years later they still like to cuddle up together but are very different personalities. One would happily stay out all day and only come home for a quick cuddle and food whereas the other one loves to be at home and around us all the time.

You definitely have punt made a mistake.

[Icequeen01]

No idea where the word punt came from 😀

[iloveeverykindofcat]

Icequeen Gorgeous pusscats! Maine coon?

[Icequeen01]

Not Maine coon, Iloveanykindofcat lots of people have asked that. Mum was a Birman who got a little over friendly with the local ginger Tom cat. They had two more fluffy ginger litter mates and one little pure black one thrown in for good measure!

[thisusernameisnotavailable]

Just one water bowl and one food bowl needed. Cats all happy to share as long as they get food