To get 2 kittens?

[Overratedd]

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?

What business is it of your mum’s?

I know! She sent me a message last night saying she thought I had more sense! I actually love him and he has settled in really well.

what are cats like together? Is it worth getting them both?

I can’t see how he will wreck the house? He also uses the litter tray really well. I think dogs are worse, they poo all over etc I don’t understand.

Kittens are usually homed in sibling pairs, at least they are from rescues. They will play together and thus hopefully do less damage 🤣

Get his brother. Cats play together and tired each other out. Two cats are better than 1!

And they won’t wreck the house?

Yes it’s better for the cats to have 2 together. Introducing another later on can be more tricky but there’s still enough time in your case. Go and get it now! 😂
I have 2 sister cats. Sometimes they bicker but they love each other and I feel less guilty when I need to leave them, knowing they have each other.

I don’t think you should get into justifying it to her, and I wouldn’t let her have this much control over your emotions. It’s your decision, end of, whether he wrecks the house or not.

Yes, kittens do very well in pairs. I had a pair of cats who were great companions for each other. This was, however, when I had more time before kids. Those cats died (at 16!) and now I have two 8yr olds. I decided to get a single kitten, despite advice to get two, as I didn’t feel I could cope with two, and my kittens seems very happy solo.

Completely depends on the personality of your cat. Some will pine for company and find it difficult to expend their energy solo, some are more people orientated and/or independent.

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.

Two sibling kittens together is best, in my experience. They learn from each other through play (and fighting) and will probably feel more confident in a new household than if they’re alone. Obviously it costs more , in food and care, but it isn’t really more effort than having one.

Don’t get another kitten thinking that they will be company for each other. Kittens are very affectionate when got as a pair - I took two brothers from the same litter 9 years ago - but as soon as they got to about 9 months - total disinterest and in fact they occasionally scrap and hiss at each other if they’re both wanting the same sleeping spot. Cats are solitary animals when they reach maturity and one cat will be absolutely fine on its own.

Exactly the same situation with acquiring kittens. Only I took the pair (well my mother did for me).

They haven't and have wrecked the house. They go through a chewing phases (good bye nice new blinds) and a few accidents....but other than that....nope my house survived and blinds can be replaced.

The bond the cats have with each other is amazing, and they really did and still do play.

In fact they're both curled up with my eldest daughter on her bed right now....

Less likely to wreck the house - they'll play with each other, not your furniture!

Get his brother too. I couldn’t split up a bonded pair

These are my two. They are so bonded and happy

Get them both! I have a pair of brothers and
they keep each other entertained.

Yes they may damage the house a bit, but I love them so much I don’t care about the odd scratch on the sofa.

Get the brother. I only got one kitten, and she's now a few years old, but I should have got two.

She's not a cuddly cat, but she spends a lot of time right next to me.

He is so cute

We got a brother and sister pair. Tbh they both have caused £££ in damage to every carpet and some pieces of furniture. Despite using sprays, having scratch boards/cat tree, entertainment etc. They just damage things when they scratch and we can’t always stop it. It’s lessened as they got older but not stopped. They have free access to the outside so it’s not being trapped/bored, it’s just cat behaviour that’s quite pronounced in my kitties.
I don’t regret getting them though. 2 is nice for the children and extra cute, and they are less likely to get lonely if we go away. They like each other but very different in personalities and routines/preferences so they aren’t alike.

Sounds great in theory of you have thought of all the practical side, care if you go away, vet bills, food other costs where they will toilet, they may get along now but always? Do you have the time and energy for it all? If you do greaf

Mine wrecked my brand new curtains in the kitchen by climbing up them and getting kitten claw holes in them......then you learn which curtains to tie up and which to leave.....oh yes one cat wrecked a net curtain when hunting a fly.

Then they just run around like loons. There are a few paw marks on a bookcase on of them sleeps on.

Get a few scratch posts and they will scratch those rather than furnishings. Get a nice tall cat tree too. You will forgive them all the scratches because they are so cute!!!

Minor damage not wrecking the house destruction. If anything a bored cat will do more damage!! (I made that up I have no idea if it's true!)

In response to the poster above with the damaged carpets. I may just be lucky but when ours start to scratch a part of the carpet I put a scratch post on the spot for a few days. They used to do the bottom stair - so I moved the scratch post there. Then they seem to use the post instead.
Then we move it back to its usual close by spot and they are over the obsession with that spot.

Go get his brother immediately!! He’ll be happier and the potential for destruction will be reduced because they’ll keep each other amused. Also you’ll have TWO KITTENS, which is twice as good as one kitten

That might be your personal experience but it’s not everyone’s. My two (not related but both kittens when they arrived) were inseparable as kittens and are just as close now at 5 years. They’re cuddled up now washing each other. Undomesticated cats live in colonies, they’re not solitary.

Definitely get both. They will settle better and have each other to play with. I got two kittens last year and can’t imagine just having one of them - they’re such a loving little twosome. Kittens need A LOT of playing and attention if you’ve just got one.