First time cat owner

[Thisismynewname123]

We're looking at getting our first ever kitten. My DH grew up in a cat household, but I'm a new cat owner. Are cats usually lonely if you just get one? Do we need to get 2 from the outset? At the moment, both DH and I are working full time at home. 2 children at school during the day. There may come a time when we both need to go back to the office although not imminent. And hopefully when we do, we'll be able to avoid being in the office on the same day, if that makes any difference. We would hope it would be both an indoor and outdoor cat. If it makes any difference, there are lots of neighbourhood cats that roam our garden.

Some cats prefer to be only cats. Some like the company of other cats. If you are going to get two then get a pair from the outset. If you only get one, as long as you have a cat flap so it can go out and entertain itself, it should be fine if you're both out at work some of the time.

Two kittens together are much more fun 😜

I would strongly recommend two kittens preferably litter mates. They keep each other amused and seem far less trouble than a single one. I've always had 2 kittens at a time, except for the time we took three

Oh I just realised you said kittens, not cats. Young kittens hate to be separated from both their mother and litter mates. If you're adamant you want kittens and not young adults then you have to have two really. Or get a pair of young adults (that you know like each other) or a single adult that you know wants to be an only.

Thanks for the thoughts. We're visiting kittens now, with the intention of getting one, but I think we can be swayed by cuteness :)

Definitely litter mates!! They play, groom and sleep together. Our current three have decided to use the litter tray simultaneously🥺

In normal times, our cat would be home alone all day, with no catflap. She goes out first thing, comes in before I leave at 8, then can come and go as she likes once we’re home until bedtime - in reality she likes to go out just before her dinner, have a nap, then again about 10. We have two litter trays in different parts of the house, but she prefers to go outside.

Since lockdown - and better weather - she’s got used to having slaves on constant back door duty. But mainly she sleeps, often in her bed on the kitchen table where I am currently working. I think she was quite pissed off to have us home all the time at the beginning!