Would two kittens be too much for existing cat?

[MikeStand]

We have a very placid 10 year (we think!) female rescue cat. I have contacted cats protection league again and they have a litter of four kittens. Would I be mad to take two of kittens instead of one? I have always had female cats should I stick with females? Also I've never had a kitten, although have manged two kids, but I am at home all day and we do have reasonable size house and garden so they could all avoid each other if they don't get on. Feel like I'm getting a bit over excited but two would be company for each other. Would be interested to hear others experiences.

If she is an old and placid cat then I would recommend getting a pair of kittens - otherwise she will be forever plagued by the new kitten wanting to "play". That was the kittens can play with each other.

I only know Siamese temperaments but we intially had a prblem with an older cat when her brother died and we ended up buying a new kitten (as Siamese tend to need company). We ended up a few years later buying another kitten as we didn't want the same problem again when the oldest cat died. As it was, the oldest cat died about a year later, so we are back to two.

Male SIamese cats are much more cuddly and friendly than female Siamese cats, who are perhaps more like "ordinary" cats in that they are more independent. ALl the male Siamese cats I have known are total plasters and big softies! (not that I don't love our female Siamese too - she is just a wee bit more "on her onw terms").

You have to recongise that that even if you "do" your male cat (and we have always got them done) and allwo them outside, that they do have a wide wider "range" than females (I tihnk it is 1.5 miles instead of 0.5), so they are more at risk of accidents.

My older male cat was grumpy before the kittens and he got even grumpier.
However the two kittens kept each other company and 'Grumpy' has softened slightly.
I would go for it.

Agree with prettybird - 2 kittens better than one. They will scoot around your house like wild things at times but they do help entertain each other and it should be less of a problem for your existing cat.

All the best x

We did that and our cat who recently died was 17 at the time. He loved the kittens after the initial shock wore off! Hissed at them and avoided them for a week then became resigned and curled up with them most evenings

Thank you - I am edging towards two just need to convince DH. Does anyone know if neutering stops male cats spraying?

I agree - definitlety get two with a much older cat. We have introduced lots over time but 2 are company for each other so less hassle for you!

Neutering male cats generally tends to stop them spraying but it depends on the environment - if there are a lot of other cats around the neighbourhood it may not work outdoors but should indoors

Have fun with your new kittens - I am (despite having 4 cats myself lol)

Neutering male cats is supposed to reduce the amount that they spray and to make what they do spray less smelly.

I can only say that an unneutered cat's spray must be extremely smelly!