One or two kittens/cats

[pelicanthedog]

Help me!

For context - we have two very busy children aged 3 and 6 (who are surprisingly gentle with animals, otherwise I wouldn’t be considering this).
We live in a smallish house that has a huge backyard, quiet neighbourhood, both neighbours have cats. Money for cats expenses isn’t a worry. We have a cat door etc and all the kit ready to go.

Life has sort of sorted itself into a more relaxed mode (thanks to said children sleeping more and going to nursery/school etc) I WFH. So now we are in a good place & I feel ready for a cat/kitten or kittens

Can anyone give me advice if getting two cats (one older cat and a kitten or two kittens) is absolutely mad? - it’s kitten season here and the shelters are heaving with them, there is a big adoption appt on Monday…

I’m aware of bonded pairs but has anyone had experience with an older - say 1 -5 year old cat and an unknown to them kitten getting along?

Do two kittens entertain each other?
Or should we just get one to start off with?

Please let me know/share your experience with me, thanks in advance

Definitely two, cats are very sociable. My two don't cuddle up but play together in a way that you really don't want them trying to play with your children! Your local rescue will be able to advise.

Two. They may or (more likely) may not end up being bonded, but two kittens seem to be half as much trouble as only one because they keep each other amused.

Two kittens definitely- ours love each other and entertain each other when we are not here.

Don't underestimate the costs though, even one cat is really expensive and two doubly so. Our two healthy young cats cost at least £250 a month for food, litter, insurance, annual vaccinations, worm and flea treatments.

I would certainly say two kittens together. They grow up and learn together and are happier than flying solo. They are really great company in the house too.

Definitely 2. The number of times I watched mine wrestling with each other and thought ‘that would have been me or my curtains’ was unbelievable. They really do entertain each other brilliantly.

I adopted two rescue kittens, they were brother and sister. As they got older the boy would bully the girl, kicking her off the bed or a favourite seat and such like. She was afraid of him and slept just outside the bedroom (door was open) and suchlike. It wasn't great. Then the boy cat was run over and we thought she'd be upset but right away she was much happier and more affectionate and sociable. Don't always assume cats like to live with each other, make sure they'll get on.

I got a new kitten a couple of months ago. Her breeder said she adored cuddling with the other cats and as I knew how much my 6 year old boy loved his sister who we lost a year and a bit ago and was noticably depressed being on his own i knew it was the right thing to do and in less than 24hours they were playing and grooming each other.

We were unfortunately rejected by shelters due to being indoor only and near main roads with a current cat in situ so had to go the buy a kitten route.

I'd been following the cat club of the breed for years even before i got my gorgeous moggys before that and i knew i wanted one at some point but i couldn't have more than 2 at once and knew their temperment was perfect for my situation.

It depends is the not very useful answer. We have all sorts, and it very much depends on the character of the cat.

Many years ago, we had two sister kittens. One was very dominant and the other very submissive. When the older one was in the vets for a couple of weeks, the submissive one completely changed character, was happy and affectionate, relaxed. Sibling came back, and she reverted to silent, hiding, unhappy.

We have also had a very relaxed older neutured tom cat, who accepted a new kitten (even let him suckle on his teats!), another older rescue cat, and also put up with my DM's cats when she went on holiday, he was really laid back though, an exceptional cat.

We now have a single cat, which we got as a kitten, but he is full on, very sociable with humans, and needy, and the vet says that he doesn't think he would like another cat/kitten. He is part Bengal though, so a breed type as well.