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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

is it OK to get 1 kitten only?

25 replies

Bellini12 · 14/08/2015 08:34

We have been thinking about getting a cat for a long time. I have 2 DC's age 9 & 7.

A friend of a friend has 2 girl tabbys she is giving away 8/9 weeks. They live on a farm but stay indoors though I think they do go outside a bit.

I had a cat growing up years ago but I'm essentially new to all this. I always thought we'd get a rescue cat so it would be litter trained/wormed/had injections already.

We only wanted 1 but as this is left with a sibling, would it be a problem to just have 1? Would it pine for the other? I believe there were other kittens but these have gone to new homes.

I'm feeling slightly overwhelmed at the thought of 2!! Also I read 2 girl cats aren't the best combination to have but am feeling a bit of pressure to take 2. Would having 1 be so bad? Would appreciate your thoughts.

OP posts:

honeysucklejasmine · 14/08/2015 08:38

I have two girl cats. They seem to interact in the same way as the boy cats I had growing up.

I would personally always get two kittens so they are company for each other but I know plenty of people are fine with one.

Hellionandfriends · 14/08/2015 08:40

One is totally great. Cats like their own territory.

We have two and yes they are company for each other

Wolpertinger · 14/08/2015 08:41

1 cat is fine. Personally I prefer 2 cats as they entertain each other to some extent when they are kittens. But 1 on it's own doesn't pine for it's litter mates just gets on with shredding your curtains When they get to age 2-3 they do get quite fed up with each other and mainly interact by bullying each other.

Hellionandfriends · 14/08/2015 08:43

Stick with one.

AlpacaMyBags · 14/08/2015 08:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GallopingFoxley · 14/08/2015 08:43

One cat always better as cats like to be solitary. The two kittens playing thing soon passes and although they'll tolerate each other because they've always been together, a single cat is far happier once an adult

cozietoesie · 14/08/2015 09:56

The family and I have had a lot of singleton cats and they've always been happy as Larry to have just us to themselves - although it's fair to say that they had a good amount of human attention when people were around and pretty organized households where they still had a fair amount of interesting things happening.

Your call I think?

cozietoesie · 14/08/2015 10:05

PS - if your friend is trying to get you to take both the remaining two kittens (and I can understand her wanting to find good homes for them as soons as) there's nothing to stop you saying No and going for a more mature rescue cat. Kittens often find a home more easily than some of the mature cats in rescue and giving a home to a mature cat can be a delightful experience. (My own old boy was 13/14 when he came to me - he's now over 20 - so I'll admit to being a little prejudiced on the matter. )

Original poster

Bellini12 · 14/08/2015 17:37

Thanks for the advice. I think 1 is the way to go for us though I know it will be hard to leave the other one behind. I've only ever envisioned having 1 and I don't like the idea of double vet bills!

I work from home so it will always have company and I know the kids will make a fuss of it!

That's interesting that they play with each other for a while then become solitary. I'm hoping it will be an affectionate family cat. Is there anyway I can tell how its personality is going to be when picking?

In fact, any other tips to look out for when picking?

OP posts:

Wolpertinger · 14/08/2015 18:27

I had mine picked for me - I got the the most active and friendly kitten plus a v quiet one which seemed to be her mate.

I love love love my cats but this is not how I'd pick again!

The life and soul kitten has carried on that way and sometimes it's all a bit much and you wish she'd go away. The quiet one has stayed quiet but is still v loving. And of course she wasn't really the active ones mate, she was the one it picked on Having said that they are now 10 years old and in between outbreaks of psychological warfare they co-exist v happily and certainly get v stressed if the other one isn't around. A lot of money has been spent on Feliway over the years '

If you are just picking one I'd pick a nice middle of the road kitten. Not the one that is everybody's friend and exploring everywhere, but not the quiet one that always hides in a corner. An inbetween one is most likely to be sensibly friendly and not have too many psychological problems.

timtam23 · 14/08/2015 18:50

We took one kitten in as a stray from the road and there was no sign of any litter mates so he stayed as just 1. However DH is a stay at home parent so the mitten always had company & I didn't push the topic of getting a companion (we had 2 old ill cats at the time as well). Had he been on his own a lot I think we may have tried to find a 2nd kitten.

BluebellBean · 14/08/2015 18:59

We have an only cat. She's 9 months old now and very happy. Vet bills for jabs chip flea worm and neuter were around £250 so be aware of that!

thecatneuterer · 14/08/2015 19:29

We only home kittens in pairs as young (say under 16 weeks) kittens tend to be distressed when removed from their mum and litter mates. They also really enjoy having a sibling to play and sleep with. Once they're older it all depends. I have quite a few pairs of bonded cats and many other close friendships have formed in my large group of cats. While I have some who I am sure would be just as happy if not happier if they were single cats. It's hard to know.

Bluebell - neuter/chip/vaccs at our place would only cost £55 per cat in total. Flea and worm treatments are of course on going but not more than £90 per year per cat.

CamelHump · 14/08/2015 19:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

Bellini12 · 14/08/2015 20:50

Hmmm camelhump, I've text the owner to ask if they've been regularly handled. I believe they live in the house but I am concerned that they appear to be outside.

Does that mean I have to deworm and deflea it/them asap? Is this something I buy from the pet shop or do I register with a vet and buy the treatments from them?

Sorry, am new to this!

OP posts:

Original poster

Bellini12 · 14/08/2015 20:51

£90 per cat for flea & worm treatments?! Is that tablets and drops. Does an insurance plan cover this?

OP posts:

thecatneuterer · 14/08/2015 21:04

That's for a year. Flea treatment once a month, worm every three months. No insurance doesn't cover that.

Original poster

Bellini12 · 14/08/2015 21:17

So do I register with a vet asap to get these treatments?

I've text the owner and they are handled regularly and are very loving but do live inside and out at the mo. I would of course keep the kitty inside. I'm just concerned if they have been outside are they more likely to have fleas or worms?

OP posts:

thecatneuterer · 14/08/2015 21:27

The only flea treatment that's safe to use on kittens is the spray you can only get from a vet. And generally speaking the stuff they sell at vets works, whereas 'off the shelf' stuff doesn't and can be dangerous.

So yes, I would see a vet as soon as you can.

PiperIsTerrysChoclateOrange · 15/08/2015 01:16

I have 1 kitten and she is hard work < love the bones off her> she came to her mummy < me at 6 week >

Love being able to give her all the love an attention she needs, but don't think I could do it with 2 but I am tempted.

PiperIsTerrysChoclateOrange · 15/08/2015 01:17

Got to add within 24 hours I had my little lady at the vets for a general look over and flea treatment and worming.

thecatneuterer · 15/08/2015 02:13

Piper - with two it's actually less work and less demanding for you as they have each other to play with and comfort them.

Original poster

Bellini12 · 15/08/2015 09:53

In what way is it hard work piper?

OP posts:

code · 15/08/2015 11:40

If you can only afford one (and by afford I mean vets bills, insurance, extra food) take one, they'll be fine as a singleton providing you can comfort and play with them and not leave them alone all day. I have 2 boys who are best buds still at a year old and I can't see that changing, although I guess it might. They seem quite respectful of each other and there is lots of mutual grooming and snuggled asleep with arms wrapped around the other.

googoodolly · 15/08/2015 14:14

We got a brother/sister pair two years ago. They get on and they're good company for each other when we're at work (inside cats). Be aware that insurance for 2 is expensive and doesn't cover jabs, flea/worm treatment or neutering so you'll need to pay for all that as well.

Food isn't particularly expensive but if you end up with a cat on a special diet (my tom needs special food for urinary problems), you may need to feed both cats the same food which can add up pretty quickly.

If you can't afford two, there's nothing wrong with just getting one! Lots of cats are happy alone and although our two like each other's company, I think they'd both be fine if they were on their own.

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