Should we be owned by one or two cats?

[Madwifecrisis]

Sorry for the long post I'll try to keep it brief.

DH refused to get a cat for so long until we went to one of DHs friends house who has a BSH. The cat loved people and was taken with DH and I watched him melt in front of my eyes . Anyway DH is now actively looking for BSH kitten and has been told by a registered breeder that they are suitable for young children and should be kept as indoor cats. We have a 4 nearly 5 year old DD and 8 year old DS. Originally I was ecstatic with the win but with thought I'm not so convinced that a kitten pedigree or not has a guarantee of being 'the perfect cat' with our kids and certainly dont want to end up with a cat that is miserable in our home. I have spoken to a lovely lady from CP who agrees that an adult cat may be suitable if the right one is found. She thinks that a pair of adolescent cats may be even more suitable and states they are more likely to be friendly as they are more secure and that most young cats need company.
My concern is that two cats will be twice the work and twice the smell, and that even though they get on as youngsters they may not get on as adults? Also I had come round to the idea of having an indoor cat with no worry of being run over or stolen and no concerns about the cat pooing in my neighbours garden. Cat proofing my garden is not an option. Is there a way of having outdoor cats that still use a litter tray? Is getting two madness when we haven't had cats since we were kids? Also how do I convince DH that a moggie can be just as loving as a pedigree?

Defiantly go for 2. It's much less work.
My 2 came from the same litter and are typical siblings. Fighting one minute cuddled up together the next.

Two cats is not double the work. Since you've got all the stuff for one. You might as well get it for both. Most insurance companies do multi pet policies.

Go for an older cat. As their personality will be known.

I actually have three. Aside from the larger number of (mostly routine) veterinary appointments, they are no more work than a single cat would be. I just fill up more bowls in the morning!

I think you'd be best finding a pair of adolescents via a rescue (as per cats protection advice that you mentioned). Their personalities will be more obvious and you can check their compatibility with DC/'cuddlability'.

If you do get a kitten, I'll echo the others, you really do need to baby proof (and pptentially much higher than you think - my first kitten used to get on top of doors, top of the highest kitchen units, bookshelves, etc... though he was/is is a 'special' case, my others weren't/aren't that adventurous).

Kittens are adorable little balls of chaos!

Just to warn you. BSHs are not cuddly lap cats and they are known for this. They are friendly and loving in their own way - mine follows me around, loves rubbing his head on mine and will sleep on the end of my bed but he doesn’t like being picked up and cuddled - and that is common in BSHs. They are gorgeous, placid cats though and lovely with children as they’re so laid back.

If you want a cuddly lap cat then get a Ragdoll, they are like velcro (more like dogs than cats) and will cuddle up on your lap or next to you all the time.

Definitely get two cats, it’s much less work if they’re kittens as they play together, and they get so less stressed on visits to the vets or cattery if they have each other nearby.

By the way, I’ve always got a large dog cage for when my kittens have been tiny and, at night or when I’ve had to leave them to pop out, I’ve put them in there for safety with their bed, toys, litter tray etc. They usually just go to sleep and they love it as a safe space and often still use it themselves way after they need it as they see it as their den. I always use one to introduce cats/kittens to one another too as you can expose them to the sight and smell of each other but still keep them separate until they are used to one another. It always works brilliantly.

We've always acquired kittens in pairs (except once when we were persuaded to take three).
Definitely believe two are easier than one because they play with each other.
You mention upthread that you like black cats - tell the rescue you want two and they'll bite your hand off .
Our last two Battersea arrivals were a pair of black kittens (Battersea obviously saw us coming, as that was all they offered us).
We now have a mini pride of 'wannabe' Panthers.

Here is another moggie pic for your DH. And yes, my cat loves belly rubs!

I e got two rescue Persians. One if ty is very affectionate and finally after 4 years getting more cuddly. The other adores people and constantly wants attention and cuddles. She makes up for about four cats!

Forgot pics

I wanted one indoor cat we compromised on three indoor cats

I'm going to go against the grain here and say I would never again get two cats unless they were adults. I had two that loved each other as kittens but tried to kill each other as adults until one had to ne rehomed. It was heartbreaking. If you look at the sheer number of cats being rehomed that need to be only cats you will see it is pretty common. I would happily rehome an established adult pair, but not kittens or adolescents. If your DH is set on a pedigree you could look at breed specific rescues. Often there are people rehoming due to a change of circumstances

Thank you for all your advice, I'm loving all the pictures. We are going to go to the rescue next week and have a good look before we make our decision. I would love a bonded adult pair however DH is not convinced as worried about the financial aspect and the hair. He has been convinced by Google that BSH shed less than DSH however he is open to one rescue so we will see

2 is great but they have to be bonded as kittens. Twice the cuddles, but they share a litter tray so that's not twice the work!

If you are having kittens, two are less work than one.

Short-hair all the way - can't be arsed with all that grooming and hoovering malarkey.

Whether they are indoor or outdoor is pretty much down to the cat - we had 2 littermates and one is the laziest cat that ever existed and never goes further than the patio, hasn't caught more than a fly, and the other explored over the rooftops far and wide and brought a mouse a day.

And moggies are the best - I am currently being snuggled by the world's silkiest cat, pure moggie. She also won't get off her bum until I force her to.

squee Nearly all the "need to be solo" cats at our rescue are solo because they were bought as the only kitten from Gumtree or somewhere and are badly socialised. In fact a lot of the "problem" cats in general that come to our rescue were acquired as kittens and grew up as the only cat... issues like biting is more prevalent when they haven't learnt boundaries with their siblings.

OP, I too agree young adult cats would suit you much better and you'll know from the outset what their personalities are likely to be. It's worth talking to smaller rescues as well, often child-friendly cats never even make it onto the websites as they will have a few people already on a waiting list for suitable family cats.

I wanted indoor only cats, and was lucky enough to be selected by a bonded pair of 2 year old siblings. They play together, fight together and sleep together some of the time, though quite often I'll find one asleep under the bed & the other downstairs, or one on the bed & the other in the wardrobe, or one will be awake. They have 2 litter trays, but literally have never used one of them & prefer to share. They also get their wet supper in 2 bowls, but again quite happily share & do get their breakfast wet and their dry in one bowl between them. So not really any more work as such, except during the moulting season which you get with all cats anyway.

Remember that cats often live 18-20 years nowadays so you do have plenty of time even if you do get adults, and you know the personality better with them.

BSH don't shed less than DSH.

@viccat I'm sure that's often the case. However I also know plenty of siblings that have had to be split up as adults because aggression has developed amongst pedigrees that were bought as a pair and not removed from there mother until 12/13 weeks so had plenty of socialization with littermates.