One or two kittens in our circs?

[VforVienetta]

Finally ready to look for kittens, but just wondering if we should really get two, or just one?
I’m a SAHM, we have two DC who are 7.5 & 4.5.
Good size garden on an estate, so no fast roads nearby.
Smallish house with one main living space, so the kitten/s couldn’t have their own room unfortunately. We do have a small utility/loo they could use, but it’s v small.
I haven’t had a cat since leaving home 20 years ago, family members have generally had single kittens, but I’ve been told by everyone else to get two!
So, one or two?

Always two! We were first time (accidental) pet owners and will always have two cats from now on.

They do genuinely play with each other and entertain each other. They are 3.5 years now and still sleep cuddled up together.

Ah vote #1! Thanks Basic

Do I really need to get two litter trays and two feeding areas etc?

Yes get two. We have two boys who eat together no problem. I had two litter trays but I think they both used them and weren't bothered about sharing.

We had one large litter tray up until they were about 9 months. Since then, we’ve always had at least two covered ones. We have only ever lived in flats, so not a huge amount of space, so they have lived in the bathrooms.

Feeding wise, we have two bowls for wet food, but a shared one for dry and for water. Seems to work well.

There hasn’t been much of a cost implication day-to-day in having two. Just when we shipped them over from Africa . I will admit that we don’t have insurance for them, as we have savings and would use those if they ever got sick/injured, so can’t comment on that expense.

Two definitely

Its lovely to have 2. We accidentally aquired 2 and will always have 2 now.

Having had single cats all my life, we plumped for a pair of kittens last summer. Best decision ever. Brother and sister, beautifully socialised moggies who adore each other, play together, groom each other; super funny and smart.

Two. We have just got 2 rescue kittens (dumped 😢) at 16 weeks old. They love each other (brothers) and love playing together.

Well that seems unanimous! Two it is then.

I feel like an utter plonker, but am currently scratching my head over what we'll do about doors... like, will they need them left open at all times, or can I still shut the kitchen and hall door to stop the draughts!

Two.
But I wouldn’t have two sisters again. Mine hate each other. Tortie terrors.
Ideally for two cats you should have three litter trays. But we only have two!
I’m unsure what you mean about draughts.
The first night our two were confined to the kitchen but after that they had the run of the house. (Not kids bedrooms though!)
Beware the 10pm zoomies.

Wolfie I just meant we generally keep the doors downstairs closed, as the hall and kitchen are cold. Don't want to have to get up every two minutes to open doors for cats!

I have 1 large high sided tray for my 2. Had 2 trays at one point but they just used the same 1. We have doors slightly ajar so they can slink through them.

You obviously don't know the essential condition of being a cat - being the wrong side of every door.

The only doors we close are the front and back door and the bedroom one when OH can't handle 3am zooms or cats deciding his chest is the place to sleep/his pillow whilst gently clawing his very bald head is the ultimate show of love

Definitely two and doors open almost all the time - until they're old enough to destroy the house together whilst you watch TV, rather than damaging themselves expensively. Oh, and keep the toilet lid down at all times. Don't ask me how I know that. Bastard, Idiot Animal.

Our dining room can be a bit cold so we just keep that shut (unless cats creep in. They often do!)
They don’t need to have access to every room. It would depend on the layout of the house what works for you and where the litter tray is too.
Exciting times.
If you’re rescuing (please consider!) it’s not kitten season yet. Yes sadly too many people don’t neuter so loads end up in rescue.
If you want to avoid the climbing the curtains and shredding the children stage (maybe the latter is just torties?) then a young adult pair might be better. Honestly? I won’t do the kitten thing again. Stopping the buggers escaping up the chimney or under the dishwasher or out of the front door? Stressful. Midnight crazies. Mine would get into the sofa and then start fighting/shedding. Having to spay then stop them eating their stitches. (Failed.) Having both kids bitten and scratched.
Maybe we were unlucky but next time I will look for an adult cat. A bonded pair that actually get on and whose personality is evident.
I do love “The Evils” BTW

Oh and ALWAYS check the washing machine, dishwasher and tumble dryer before starting. EVERY TIME!

Mitzi
My mum has always had a cat flap in her main room so the cats just went in and out as they pleased, but weren't allowed upstairs anyway. I can categorically state now that we won't be so strict! I have a cunning plan to put a cat flap in the hallway, so we'll see how the doors go I guess... May as well accept my fate as cat servant before they arrive eh.

Wolfie

Definitely two!

Wolfie yes, hoping to find them at a rescue. I figured kitten season starts in Spring? Gives me a few more months to declutter! If we find the right pair sooner that's fine tho.
The DC have their hearts set on one grey and one black, but I keep trying to explain that it depends on the personality.
Fingers crossed I guess!

I have four - 2 lots of two.

My vote is for two every time.

Two! We have a brother and sister, I'm so pleased we got both, they're so lovely together.

They are real erm characters and not like other kittens I have met (I volunteer for a rescue charity.)
They torment the wolfhound and today one swiped my youngest because she had the audacity to get into her own bed when the cat was sleeping on it. Same cat that bites sometimes. An odd pair!!
I would put them off choosing by colour. My only thing this time round was I didn’t want black and white like our old cats. Too sad.
Do you have any rescue places in mind? Be aware that kittens often don’t make it onto websites.
I fell for a tabby boy last week. Thankfully he has a home. Or I would’ve had to smuggle him past DH. Soooooooo cuddly.

If we don't manage to find a rescue pair, how on earth do you find kittens privately?? DSis sent me a Pets4Homes app that people list them on, but I worry that's encouraging breeders, as they're all quite expensive. £150 each is apparently quite cheap!?

Don’t. Please don’t. Online sites are full of people who CBA to neuter their pets and instead constantly put their health at risk in order to make a quick buck.
If you can give any vague indication of where you are people can suggest rescues. Wait a few months and rescues will be overrun.

If you do get a choice, I’ve always find male all black kittens to be super soppy.

I currently have one asleep on my chest with his head buried in my neck and a paw wrapped round each shoulder