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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To get 2 kittens?

116 replies

Overratedd · 04/10/2025 11:47

So I’ve been divorced a year and finally came round to the idea of getting a cat, I think he will be a good companion for the kids and I as we have just moved into our own house. I picked him up a few days ago and he has been great, however my mum has really falllen out with me as she thinks he will ruin the house? I on the other hand had to stop myself from getting his brother so that they can be together?

OP posts:
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Mumdiva99 · 11/10/2025 10:13

When i got our kittens they had fleas. Supposed to have been done but hadn't. Speak to the vet because you can't use all medications on kittens. Do get them wormed too. Have they had all their vaccinations? Make sure they get these - especially for when they go out.
They are very cute.

grumpygrape · 07/10/2025 18:14

Pleased to hear the tummy seems OK now but please do take them to the vet and make sure they have flea and worm protection also full vaccinations and remember they now have to be chipped.

AnotherEmma · 07/10/2025 17:54

Where did you get the kittens from?
Seems rather dodgy if they weren't deflead and dewormed.

Original poster
Overratedd · 07/10/2025 17:52

They didn’t actually look like fleas though? They were brown? I bathed them and got out what I could, poor babies

OP posts:
Original poster
Overratedd · 07/10/2025 17:50

GoodQueenBess · 07/10/2025 16:39

Go NC, @Overratedd . How dare she call those handsome fellows scruffy.

I know! They make me so happy and they are staying put. They slept cuddling each other last night it was adorable. His tummy has come down but I have noticed a few fleas so I gave them a bath, i will be taking them to the vet to get fleas and worked as it obviously hasn’t been done

OP posts:
grumpygrape · 07/10/2025 17:31

Overratedd · 07/10/2025 16:15

Mum has now seen the other cat, she had a right go at me and walked out! She said all that effort we have put into making your house nice and you go and get scruffy cats! Stupid woman she doesn’t have to come and see them does she!

Any update on the swollen tummy?

Zempy · 07/10/2025 16:42

Does she have form for being a controlling cowbag?

GoodQueenBess · 07/10/2025 16:39

Go NC, @Overratedd . How dare she call those handsome fellows scruffy.

Original poster
Overratedd · 07/10/2025 16:15

Mum has now seen the other cat, she had a right go at me and walked out! She said all that effort we have put into making your house nice and you go and get scruffy cats! Stupid woman she doesn’t have to come and see them does she!

OP posts:
Worldgonecrazy · 06/10/2025 09:04

I voted YABU as you should have taken the whole litter, not just two.

Any cat lover knows the correct number of cats is ‘cnoc + 1’

cnoc is current number of cats.

Davros · 06/10/2025 09:02

@Wavescrashingonthebeach I agree with shaking the Dreamies (a new dance!) but, if it’s paired with a louder, individual sound, they can hear it from upstairs or over the fence or further afield. A couple of times our old cat got out the front, didn’t know where she was and couldn’t find her way home. Ringing her bell winkled her out

Dontsayyouloveme · 05/10/2025 22:36

The OP has updated - they got the brother.

OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 05/10/2025 22:10

Go and get the brother.

Double fun / double trouble.

They can play and sleep with each other when you are all at school / work / asleep at night.

I got one and then got 2 brothers a week later, within 3 days they had all bonded and trust me 3 is triple fun :)

Wavescrashingonthebeach · 05/10/2025 22:07

Davros · 05/10/2025 21:40

I see I’m too late but they are adorable. Train them to “come” by pairing a bell with treats. It’s invaluable when you can’t find the little sods

A shake of a dreamies packet also never fails to get a cat to come running 🤣

Davros · 05/10/2025 21:40

I see I’m too late but they are adorable. Train them to “come” by pairing a bell with treats. It’s invaluable when you can’t find the little sods

Catwoman8 · 05/10/2025 21:25

Agree that your mum needs to keep out of this. I have 2 cats, they haven't wrecked anything in my home as I provide them with toys, and a cat tree scratching post. They aren't particularly bonded ,we got them from a rescue and there is about 1 year difference between them, but they do play flight each other most days and I like that when we are out for long periods, they have company.

Davros · 05/10/2025 21:19

You’ve settled with this one, don’t get another. They often don’t get on, even if they’re siblings. Double vet fees, double food and supplies, double shit to deal with

Wavescrashingonthebeach · 05/10/2025 21:14

Omg just seen updates! How beautiful! Agree with pp check for worms just put the treatment on them both x

Wavescrashingonthebeach · 05/10/2025 21:12

Overratedd · 04/10/2025 11:54

And they won’t wreck the house?

Show quote history

No one can guarantee that. I have multiple cats and they haven't wrecked my house but I imagine that's partly due to the fact they have virtually unlimited access to the great outdoors. If you want to get the brother too, and you can comfortably care for both, then go for it! I have two siblings and theyre wonderful idea love them and my DC do x

MedusasHead · 05/10/2025 21:09

A swollen tummy is often a nasty case of worms. From experience, get them checked by a vet and deworm regularly. Two siblings is definitely better than one. I’d only ever had single cats until my two now, and it’s a sheer joy. They can be a bit destructive when they’re adolescent but the phase passes quickly.

grumpygrape · 05/10/2025 21:01

Overratedd · 05/10/2025 17:51

Sorry I am going off topic but the brother seems to have quite swollen tummy? Any ideas?

How old are they ?
Rescued or from a family home?
Have they been vaccinated and wormed?
Have you checked the litter tray and bedding for worms?
What food are they eating?
Are they drinking plenty of water?

thecatneuterer · 05/10/2025 20:33

Stoptakingmysellotape · 04/10/2025 11:55

Cats are solitary and don't "need" company but if they are bonded in a pair they will be able to live together. Check whether your kitten and his brother are actually bonded first, as otherwise you'll end up with 2 stressed cats who may soil the house as a result. But I homed a bonded male pair who were awesome, adored each other and we had them both until 15 and 16 years.

My mum also told me not to get them but I'm an adult and it's none of her business so I just ignored her. Just make sure you can afford 2 cats before getting another, both of mine had complex health conditions as they aged and it's not cheap.

Cats aren't solitary. Anyone who spends any time observing feral colonies will understand that. Some cats, particularly those separated early from siblings, are scared of other cats. But most cats are very social - spending lots of time together, playing and sleeping together.

Two kittens are always better and happier than one, and also probably less destructive as they play together rather than with the furniture.

As long as you can afford twice the vet bills and, of course, get them neutered at 16 weeks.

julesagain · 05/10/2025 20:26

Oh do go and get his brother. I took on a brother and sister who had been found without their mum last year and they were about six weeks old at a guess. They have become the most adorable cats, funny and determined and are known as Dude and little miss Sassy pants although their vet records say differently. They also get on brilliantly with our two Border Terriers.

namechangetheworld · 05/10/2025 20:25

We got a brother/sister kitten duo and it was the best thing we ever did. They sleep together, groom each other, play together and keep each other company when we're out.

No damage to the house yet and we've had them six months. No accidents either. They're not allowed in the lounge or bedrooms without us though, because I'm mean and don't want the potential for stuff to be wrecked when they're left alone. They had free reign of the kitchen/utility, dining room, playroom and spare room when we're out though.

Zempy · 05/10/2025 19:48

Has mother been informed? I would be tempted to forget to tell her and just let her see double when she next visits.

If she overreacts just ask her “are you quite well?”

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