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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.

Original poster

One or two kittens

45 replies

thaegumathteth · 27/06/2019 02:02

Rehoming a kitten soon having lost out much loved old cat last year. We are 2 adults, 8 year old and 12 year old and a 10 year old very loving, very excitable, Betty stupid cocker spaniel.

I’m wondering whether we’d be better getting one kitten or two? I’ve asked the rehoming centre and they’ve said its up to us really.

Any advice?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
10
TransFannyUltrasound · 27/06/2019 02:13

Based on no pet experience other than a rescue cat who was a complete arsehole, I’d say get two kittens for double the fluffy cuteness! And post lots of pix please.

MmeBufo · 27/06/2019 02:19

Yes, get two kittens. Male and female or two females. Never two males.

Can Betty definitely be trusted with them?

notangelinajolie · 27/06/2019 02:20

Two.

MereDintofPandiculation · 27/06/2019 08:26

We had two male kittens. They were lovely and maintained a friendship all their lives, usually sleeping within a few feet of each other.

Then next time we had kittens it was 2 males again, followed shortly after by another male kitten. They were more independent but tolerant of each other.

We've also had a male and a female; and currently two females. I can't say I'd go for any particular sex in the future.

Two kittens do a lot of entertaining of each other which is useful when you have to get on with other things. And from their point of view it spreads the load re stroking duties.

Ginlinessisnexttogodliness · 27/06/2019 08:27

Two

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 27/06/2019 09:09

Two.

Beamur · 27/06/2019 09:12

Two are no more trouble, and will entertain each other.
Generally I'd say get 2 boys or boy/girl rather than 2 females. But that rather depends on the personality of the cats but sometimes females are less keen on sharing space.

Loveislandfan · 27/06/2019 09:14

Two!!!!

viccat · 27/06/2019 09:17

Two is definitely better, they grow up much healthier and happier with a friend of their own age/size.

And I don't think whether they are males or females matters. I have two of each and all get along although the boys are better friends with each other than any other pairing (and they are not the biological siblings). Ask the rescue to identify an already bonded pair if possible.

RickOShay · 27/06/2019 09:22

Definitely two.
I have two sisters and a big dog.
They all get along splendidly Grin
Watching the cats gives me a lot of joy.

Original poster
thaegumathteth · 27/06/2019 09:51

Thanks everyone!

Dog (not called Betty no idea why it said Betty instead of very!) can definitely be trusted - he is as soft as butter.

The kittens will both be from the same litter if that makes a difference?

OP posts:
ifonly4 · 27/06/2019 15:51

Two will be double trouble, but lovely and you're more likely to have one around. They will probably be crazy the first few months, running everywhere together, so hopefully could cope with your dog. Either way, they'll need a quiet spot somewhere. Obviously you need to look at your budget. Either way, as a thank you for our posts, photos please when you have themSmile.

You'll get mixed messages about the right combination. We had a boy and a girl originally, who just tolerated eachother. My two boys are 16 months now, are independent in that they come abd gi as they please, but they still go around calling eachother, washing eachother - it's lovely (my boy wouldn't let my girl do this after six months).

Liz38 · 27/06/2019 16:51

Two, definitely. To start with they get confidence from each other, explore together and learn together. As they get bigger and braver they will probably start to do their own thing.

My neighbour's two 3yo boys still sleep cuddled up together. My initially very bonded pair of girls scrap sometimes, cohabit contentedly most of the time and fight to be at the back when they go to the vet Grin

Congratulations on the arrival of little furry feet.

Passwordz · 29/06/2019 15:46

Ooh just having this dilemma too.
Feels indulgent to get two but friends with just one said he/she was super needy.

Wolfiefan · 29/06/2019 15:49

I got two sisters. They hate each other!
I would vote brothers or (if you can guarantee the neutering ASAP) brother and sister. But not tortie sisters. Oh no.

justilou1 · 29/06/2019 15:52

Three!!!!

justilou1 · 29/06/2019 15:53

Four???

lljkk · 29/06/2019 15:54

TWO.
I've had 2 brothers twice & it was fine. Not sure what problem is supposed to be. Yes they squabble; cats squabble, the aren't famous for being nice to each other.

Betty will be told who's boss in no time.

lljkk · 29/06/2019 15:54

*they

Icequeen01 · 29/06/2019 16:02

Definitely two! I’ve got two rescue boys and although they aren’t joined at the hip now like they were when they were little they always look for each other when the other one is not around.

Mamaslave18 · 29/06/2019 16:04

I have two sisters who don’t get on. They adored each other for 3 years but now hiss at each other. It’s causing the more nervous of the two to wee around my house.

Icequeen01 · 29/06/2019 16:07

How could you say no to two?

One or two kittens
EL8888 · 29/06/2019 16:09

@justilou1 Iove it!

Another vote for 2. We have 2, it’s lovely for us and they have each other. Sometimes they play together and sometimes they do their own tbing

Drum2018 · 29/06/2019 16:11

We got 2 males, brothers, had them neutered at 6 months and they're great. They have the odd squabble, but nothing major - more play fighting. They are spoilt rotten by the kids. We had them in the house for one night when the arrived, but moved them out to the shed with a cat flap and they are happy there. They do come in during the day for a while.

LizB62A · 29/06/2019 16:13

Definitely get two - I did Smile