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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To get two cats instead of one?

74 replies

FlowersAndShit · 30/11/2015 22:33

Landlord has changed his mind and said I can have a cat! I've had my eye on an elderly cat at a rescue who has been there for 2 years, but i'd also like to get a Ragdoll kitten. I'm thinking of getting both, but do I get the kitten first or the elderly cat? Or do I get one and not the other?

OP posts:

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KingJoffreyLikesJaffaCakes · 30/11/2015 22:36

Rescue the older cat first. He needs you.

WorraLiberty · 30/11/2015 22:37

Oh I'm glad your LL has changed his mind

I think you absolutely need to ask the people at the rescue, as they'll probably have more of an idea about how the elderly cat might/might not cope.

Not all cats do cope with sharing a home, even if it's with a kitten.

ClangerOnaComeDown · 30/11/2015 22:38

Personally I wouldn't put a elderly rescue cat through the antics of a kitten.

It's like taking great grandma to entertain a toddler in soft play. Not fair on either parties.

Rescue the cat first, give it a loving home and enjoy its company.

ShebaShimmyShake · 30/11/2015 22:40

Ask if they have a bonded pair that need to be rehomed together, they are harder to rehome.

lilyb84 · 30/11/2015 22:40

Great news! I'd be cautious getting a kitten at the same time as an older, especially rescue, cat though, especially if you're not used to having cats yourself. The older cat might need a lot of time to settle in with you, and you with him or her, and a kitten might not give it much of a chance! We got our second cat as a kitten when our older cat was 3 and that took some settling in - and they haven't always been best of friends (although when they are it's adorable).

Why do you want two? Is it so they have company? Do you have enough space for two? Would you be able to keep them separate if needs be while settling in, and if they decided they hated each other and needed their own space?

Gileswithachainsaw · 30/11/2015 22:41

yabvvvvu!! you should not get two cats.

you should get me two cats

PaulAnkaTheDog · 30/11/2015 22:42

Awch just take the old soul. Give them a home that they might not get without you. Kittens are always placed. Older cats are better for cuddles as well

ExBallerina · 30/11/2015 22:42

Yy to a bonded rescue pair. That'd be lovely.

Cressandra · 30/11/2015 22:46

Get the elderly one, enjoy that one, and get the kitten after the elderly one has passed away. Not least because your LL ok'd one cat, not a kitten and an elderly cat.

We rehomed an established pair but one has always weed in the house. The vet said it might be because of stress in having to share her living space, and that's with a cat she generally gets on with. Kitten and elderly cat might well be fine, but if it doesn't work it can be very stressful for you, the elderly cat, and the carpets.

tinybellows · 30/11/2015 22:47

I'm really pleased for you

The cat rescue centre should advise you on what's best to do. I adopted a bonded pair from one and they are brilliant.

ShebaShimmyShake · 30/11/2015 22:49

And especially a bonded pair where one or both of them are black. Black cats are the hardest of all to rehome (when all else is equal). Even though they are good luck (the very recent belief to the contrary is horseshit).

HemanOrSheRa · 30/11/2015 22:50

Aw. Get the old rescue cat. If you're desperate for two cats see if the rescue cat is friendly with another cat there. For the sake of your sanity and that of an elderly rescue cat - DO NOT GET A KITTEN! . You will go stark staring mad within a week.

BreakfastAtStephanies · 30/11/2015 22:53

We got a kitten 18 months ago. It has worked out so well having him that I now wish we had got another from the same litter at the same time. There were 7 in the litter and all got homed. I wouldn't get another one now, wouldn't like to do that to him. So OP , I think if you will be getting both you should get them at the same time which should work out ok. I think you should do it.

WorraLiberty · 30/11/2015 22:56

Also you have to remember that double cats will mean double the vet's bills, especially with an older cat.

My 12yr old dog has just been diagnosed with diabetes and despite being insured (up to a certain amount), he's costing us a packet.

Worth every penny obviously, but I can't imagine having to fork out for 2 animals if they both got ill.

Booyaka · 30/11/2015 23:09

Yes, a kitten would drive the old cat nuts. Get the elderly cat! She needs you and will be a home body to give you company.

Also, as your landlord was leery about letting you have one in the first place, a kitten can do a lot of damage, and he may be happier with an elderly cat. I really wouldn't push it with him getting two when he didn't really want you to get one either.

NameChange30 · 30/11/2015 23:16

Get the elderly cat, she needs you and will probably be much happier as an only cat.

When she has passed away you could consider getting two kittens from the same litter. They'll play together and keep each other company.

Lovelydiscusfish · 30/11/2015 23:21

Have always had two cats myself, and this has mostly been staggered. So, when one cat has died, have introduced a new, younger one, to the existing cat. Never had a problem with this. Have gone for different genders, as I believe this works better, as males and females can more readily have overlapping territories?
Admittedly have never had a kitten - all rescue adults. Dh's friend recently got a kitten, already has two older adult cats, and the adult male is now hardly coming home at all.
I'd suggest in your situation getting a pair of cats from a rescue - walk into any RSPCA or similar and there will be a wide choice of cats they are looking to rehome as a pair, in my experience. Having said that, it's not always a solution - the first cats I owned as an adult were a 7 years old sibling pair, but they couldn't really stand each other! They were rescues from a multi-cat household, but I think when it was just the two of them, the cracks in their relationship really showed!
My 11 year old male and my one year old female I have currently are far more bonded than this pair were.
Cats are just their own people! Good luck, whatever you decide.

Original poster

FlowersAndShit · 01/12/2015 12:33

I think i'll go with the Ragdoll kitten. What if I get a rescue cat when the kitten is a bit older?

OP posts:

Original poster

FlowersAndShit · 01/12/2015 12:36

Or maybe two kittens?

OP posts:

Hoppinggreen · 01/12/2015 12:39

Yes, definitely pay for a pedigree kitten from a breeder and forget all about the older rescue cat that's been there FOR 2 YEARS!!
It's not as cute so it really doesn't deserve a home.

If you want kittens then at least get a pair from rescue

Original poster

FlowersAndShit · 01/12/2015 12:48

hopping they have to be indoor cats because I live in a flat. Ragdoll's are indoor only cats...

OP posts:

Micah · 01/12/2015 12:54

I can the same experience as cressandra.

Established pair, litter mates, got on fabulously, except we had awful spraying and seeing problems. Thought long and hard as they seemed so bonded, but in the end rehomed one to a family member. Both so much happier, and no more toilet issues.

Cats need their space. Get the old one. I'd never have two in a restricted space indoors, they just can't have their own territory.

I know it seems the fashion to have two together "for company", and I've come across charities that will only rehome pairs. However all the research I did, all the experts and vets I consulted, all said cats are solitary as adults. Only get multiple cats if you have an extremely large outdoor space.

Hoppinggreen · 01/12/2015 12:57

No they aren't, no breed is indoor only - you make that choice.
I'm sorry but it narks me when people consider rescue cats and then decide to go for the cuter option instead. If you want an indoor only cat from Rescue then that's perfectly possible too.
Look, if you prefer a kitten then that's up to you but don't pretend that it's for any other reason than the cute factor.

19lottie82 · 01/12/2015 12:58

Dreamers?? dreamies!

19lottie82 · 01/12/2015 12:58

Why pay up to £600 when you can get a rescue cat that needs a loving home in an exchange for a small donation to the shelter?

They're not all old (with big vet bills). And pedigrees can be more to insure than moggies.

Here's a picture of my Pippa, we have had her 6 weeks now (she was a stray taken in my the Cat Protection Society when she gave birth). She is 2 and lifetime pet insurance was £45 a year. She was very timid at first but now she loves us (and dreamers) all to bits!

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