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Original poster

Anyone adopted brother/sister kittens?

32 replies

retainertrainer · 02/10/2018 06:30

I’m going to look at some kittens today. Mum’s a semi-feral farm cat. They’re all in rescue now. There’s 2 kittens, a boy and a girl. I know I’ll need to get them neutered ASAP but I’m just wondering if there could be anymore problems? I don’t know what really-fighting? One dominant? The male spraying?

I’ve had lots of cats throughout my life but never 2 at once.

OP posts:
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Tronkmanton · 02/10/2018 06:35

I’ve always had litter mates in pairs. Once got three together. Never had a problem. In fact it’s better as they’re not lonely and will cuddle up together.

user1493413286 · 02/10/2018 06:35

We found boy and girl got on better than two girls; the male took the dominant role without fights whereas in the past we’ve had 2 females fighting it out to be dominant. I don’t remember any issues with spraying but we did get them neutered as soon as possible

user1493413286 · 02/10/2018 06:36

Also they seemed to create less trouble as they played together rather than attack furniture

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shouldwestayorshouldwego · 02/10/2018 06:43

No problem with spraying despite not neutered until about a year old. They do fight. Boy cat is dominant over space, but girl cat isn't keen on giving up her spot. Girl cat is greedy dominant over food. They didn't have a good fist year so some of it could be due to that. When they were younger they curled up together but from about 2 they haven't, though they still greet each other. Unfortunately boy cat turns rather amorous when grooming, but girl cat always rejects his advances which also leads to tension.

I imagine it is like human siblings-- some get on fabulously well and others hate each other.

DMCWelshCakes · 02/10/2018 06:50

Get them done as soon as possible & make sure you feed them separately.

Our brother & sister are now 3 and have spent most of the last 3 years arseing about and play fighting with each other. Sometimes (when they think no one's looking) they're cute & cuddle up together.

So very much like the boy girl human kittens I have in the house! Grin

Noboozeforme · 02/10/2018 06:55

Yep, I got a brother and sister combo. They are almost 9 years old and it's never been a problem.

Bluelonerose · 02/10/2018 06:57

So much easier with 2 instead of one coz they keep each other entertained.
Good luck

TinyWee · 02/10/2018 06:58

I had sisters and they never got on really. There was a lot of subtle and some not so subtle dominance stuff going on.
One has now died and the other one is really coming out of herself and is much more relaxed.
However friend also had sisters and they were lovely together, grooming each other and sleeping together.

SevenOf1981 · 02/10/2018 07:01

We adopted siblings, a boy and girl. They get on really well, keep each other company and yes, fight! Nothing that hurts the other and there doesn't seem to be a dominant cat.

They also stay together when they go outside, which is really sweet! They're about 7 months old.

The neutering period was awkward because they get 'interested' before they're old enough to be operated on, but from what I've read it varies vet to vet. Ours wanted us to wait to 5 months, but I managed to push them to 4.5. we had to keep them separated whenever we left the house.

They were also born to a cat with no owner. It sure if feral, but they're so loving and compete for cuddles!

Ifeelreallylow · 02/10/2018 07:07

Had brother sister kittens a long time ago. I don't remember doing anything specific.
They were neutered as soon as poss.
The sister was very much the dominant one, but they were both extremely placid lovely little creatures.

At the time of getting the kittens we already had another cat. Who maintained her position as head cat (in her defence she was head of the whole neighbourhood) but otherwise they became a 3, inseparable.
I'm not convinced that animals fight more because they are 'family'. I don't think they see the world that way.

abbsisspartacus · 02/10/2018 07:14

Currently got three boy siblings it's fun and I wanted to redecorate anyway 🤦‍♀️

Original poster
retainertrainer · 02/10/2018 09:03

Thanks for all the replies,sounds like a no brainier! Can’t wait to meet them now.

OP posts:
TonTonMacoute · 02/10/2018 09:28

We have brother and sister cats at the moment, and have had them for about eleven years. It is an ideal combination. We had two brothers once - never again!

Two cats is a different dynamic from just having one, it is lovely though!

Original poster
retainertrainer · 02/10/2018 13:09

I’ve been to see them. They were so sweet,very shy-the little girl came out and sniffed about,let me stroke her but the boy stayed in his little den.

Anyone adopted brother/sister kittens?
Anyone adopted brother/sister kittens?
OP posts:
SpoonBlender · 02/10/2018 13:10

Aaahhhhhh! So cute. Was going to just add my "definitely yes" but I see it's not needed :)

NorthEndGal · 02/10/2018 13:16

We wanted a bonded pair when we decided to adopt, and when we got to the shelter, it turned out they had twin sisters that they'd wanted to keep together.
Best part was they only charged us for one!
They have identical markings, but one is long haired and one short haired

Anyone adopted brother/sister kittens?
Wolfiefan · 02/10/2018 13:18

We have sisters. They don’t get on. I think I would rather have two boys or a boy/girl pairing. But YYYYYYYY to neutering ASAP. Wink

Idontbelieveinthemoon · 02/10/2018 13:21

We've had two pairs of sibling kittens and now have many, many cats. None of them squabble or fight; there's a miserable old portly one who can be a little cantankerous and the little younger ones sometimes tease her and rile her up til she smacks them, but they all get on well.

6SpringCats · 02/10/2018 13:21

You can neuter the boy from 13 weeks so it should be ok

SeagIass · 02/10/2018 13:24

Twice! Both times the boys were daft softies and the girls were warmongers Grin Recommend.

Original poster
retainertrainer · 02/10/2018 14:45

And now for names! Any suggestions great fully received.

OP posts:
Noboozeforme · 02/10/2018 16:26

I'm not one for human names on cats ..

Gadget
Gizmo
Gonzo
Gremlin

ALongHardWinter · 02/10/2018 18:25

We have adopted sibling kittens on 2 occasions. 2 sisters years ago,and a brother and sister more recently. Both sets were cuddly and affectionate with each other to start with,but this wore off as they got older. The sisters never really fought,just pretty much ignored each other to be honest. The brother and sister did have a run in now and again,although this was always instigated by the brother. I think he just wanted to play,but his sister was having none of it and would growl and hiss at him and fend him off. But apart from that,they lived pretty harmoniously.

SasBel · 02/10/2018 18:29

I have m+f siblings, they get on great! Had them neutered at 8 weeks.
Name wise, I think that Whirly and Gig would be great Grin

Toddlerteaplease · 02/10/2018 18:37

I had two adult sister that I were told were inseparable. They tolerated each other and were close if they were at the vet or cattery. But I always got the feeling the slightly more confident one would be happier without her sister. Her sister died last month and she's blossomed. She gets on better with my new cat. Which is a relief but makes me a bit sad.