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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.

One kitten or two???

53 replies

goldpendant · 18/10/2019 13:44

Many of you will have seen my other thread, but hoping to get honest quick consensus on whether one or two kittens would suit our family best:

Us; me, DH, two kids (4 and 6).
House; big, hard floors on ground floor.
Garden; small ish but secured

DH and I work ft but both at home one day a week. Kids have an after school nanny who is used to cats.

We have a cleaner once a week.

I'm quite house proud. We've dark carpets which take a beating anyway and I've a dyson cordless to keep on top of ALL the fluff and bits that already show up after 5 mins!

Happy in theory to get two kitten (boys), but only if it benefits both the kitten and us. Are two honestly happier and less likely to tear the house to pieces than one left alone?

Honest opinions please, simply answer 1 or 2!

Thanks very much, need to decide today!

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 18/10/2019 14:40

2!

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 18/10/2019 14:45

We did some research into this very question- "apparently" accordingly to DD's very non-scientific survey if you get 2 they will bond/play with each other more than you.
And she wanted 2 but admitted this so we rescued only rescued one.

just realised you just wanted a number so:
1

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 18/10/2019 14:46

Obviously distracted while writing incoherent last sentence!!

Should read: wanted two but admitted this so we only rescued one.

viccat · 18/10/2019 14:48

Definitely two.

(Mine are cuddled up on my lap every morning and evening by the way and super affectionate!)

MustardScreams · 18/10/2019 14:49

2!

diamantegal · 18/10/2019 14:49

Two. But for all they comfort each other, our two also charge round the house chasing each other and shedding fur as they go. Our cream carpets don't stay cream for long!

YesItsMeIDontCare · 18/10/2019 14:52

2 kittens are great, yes, but I've yet to personally meet a bonded pair of kittens who got on as adults.

goldpendant · 18/10/2019 14:59

So far this isn't unanimous.......

I don't want to get two just for the sake of the kitten 'years'

They will have plenty of afternoon/evening cuddles and human interaction.

OP posts:
FlyingSquid · 18/10/2019 15:00

Two to start with is easier.

One long term is easier.

DB has four. The two from the same litter get on well, the others studiously ignore each other.

timetochangeagainforever · 18/10/2019 15:01

Two

madeyemoodysmum · 18/10/2019 15:03

I’ve always had 2 or 3 cats and siblings I like a boy and a girl best as they are less competitive but that only my personal experience.

They live separate lives but have each other when we are out and weekends away I never worry. Someone pops in to feed. They often groom each other and they play fight still age 5. I love having two.

Windydaysuponus · 18/10/2019 15:04

My 2 db's are 6 and still sleep together every night.
Bff's!!
Halves the damage to soft furnishings when little claws can damage each other instead!!.

IHaveBrilloHair · 18/10/2019 15:05

Two, definitely

InOtterNews · 18/10/2019 15:06

2

(esp if from the same litter)

beethebee · 18/10/2019 15:08

1

YesItsMeIDontCare · 18/10/2019 15:09

I don't want to get two just for the sake of the kitten 'years'

Yes, in my experience it was 18 months of double feline bliss, 4 years of ignoring each other and 6 years of breaking up fights and cleaning up piss! The little girlcat died quite young though. Boycat loved being an only 🙄.

Klouise777 · 18/10/2019 15:09
  1. We have two rescue kittens who were approx 6 months when we had them. They had always been together so had to stay together. Fast forward 3 years and they hate each other. They used to be fine but no they fight all the time, we have thought about rehoming the one but which do you choice and so normally live with it but try our best to keep them apart, create separate places for them. Sometimes they can go a day without fights but even if they do when one's near the other they are on edge. I wish we'd only had 1
NancyBirch · 18/10/2019 15:11

Absolutely get 2 kittens! Our kids when younger, loved having 1 each for cuddles and when they grew up and left home then me and DH had 1 each Smile

Sadly we've lost both in the last year Sad but 18 very happy years with them!

LizB62A · 18/10/2019 15:16

I got two - brother and sister.
They're 3 now and don't play with each other any more as they're not kittens any more.
They don't fight though and if there is a strange cat in the area, they look after each other Smile

LizB62A · 18/10/2019 15:17

@Klouise777 Have you tried Feliway Friends? It's meant to help cats who share the same house but don't get on.

Klouise777 · 18/10/2019 15:24

Yeah we've tried feliway and friends and the standard feliway. Sadly nothing helped

ChanklyBore · 18/10/2019 15:32

Two

I’ve had four sets of two and three singletons. The pairs have all been less hassle, less destructive and seemed happier.

beckyvardy · 18/10/2019 15:35

We have two brothers from the same litter.

Totally different personalities and one chooses to be a house cat and the other will go out on his own occasionally but if his brother goes in the back garden (the house cat will now and again but won't go over the fence ever) he stays with him just sitting in the back.

They cuddle up, play together and chase each other round the house. I've never seen them so much as hiss at each other. Possibly because they are from the same litter and have always been together.

madcatladyforever · 18/10/2019 15:39

2 definitely. When my old girl goes I'm getting 2 cats from a shelter. She won't tolerate other cats.

theSnuffster · 18/10/2019 15:46
  1. Definitely.
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