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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

New Rescue Cat - one or two?

20 replies

FollowYourOwnNorthStar · 16/08/2021 07:20

I’ve been wanting a cat for awhile. First time owner, but grew up with them, and always enjoyed animals. I’ve been keeping an eye on the Rescue Shelters and was ideally hoping to give a second life to a cat that had to be rehomed because it’s parent went into care, or a cat who had been through a bit of a rough start. I am single and big house (so it can be indoor if it wants) so it wouldn’t be competing with other animals or children etc. Plus if I am at work during the day it would be older and be ok about it, rather than a kitten.

However, it turns out it’s actually very hard to get one via the Shelter and you have to take what you can get! Finally one has come in that I was able to call and be top of the list for, it’s a lovely male kitten (age unknown). It has been with people but was surrendered as they didn’t want it. Right next to it is another kitten (12 weeks), found in the street. They think it’s a street cat, not sure.

So now I am wondering about getting both? I know kittens need more time (I am taking the next 4 weeks off work), and I also know they may not get on (!!) but I thought they might be company for each other and entertain each other abit.

I’d be very grateful for more experienced cat owners thoughts.

PS - I should add I have a friend who is a vet, and another who works in a pet insurance company. I already have a pile of toys and a bed and things for the cat/s, money will be no object for the prince/princess who ends up living here….I just want it to work out!

OP posts:
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Lotsachocolateplease · 16/08/2021 07:23

You need at least two kittens in your life!
And we need photos!

AlexandraEiffel · 16/08/2021 07:28

I'm just waiting for getting my two. I did lots of reading (here and elsewhere) which convinced me two was a good idea. They're a bonded pair of juveniles. I just searched things like 'two cats Mumsnet' in google and there's loads of threads. I saw barely a bad word about two, lots of advocating two.

Where are you looking? Where I am I could gave had my pick of multiple pairs, singletons. Across age range. Mine are from a private rescue not a national charity one. It looked like kittens went quicker, in fact they did say there was a waiting list for kittens (I don't want a kitten). I'm really surprised you're struggling to get adult cat(s). They're all full here.

Roselilly36 · 16/08/2021 07:29

What an exciting time for you. I would say two cats, but only if they come as a family already, then they are bonded. Cats can be quite fussy in my experience and may not like the companion that you chose for them. Good luck.

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 16/08/2021 07:31

I don't want to throw cold water on your getting 2 idea-the only thing I will say-and this is anecdotal- that my DD did loads of research when we were at the same stage as you and the thing that put us off 2 was that some of the things suggested that they might bond/play/cuddle etc with each other and not you as much if they had each other.

So we got one supreme Queen and she rules us all.

What ever you do will be fine-good luck!!!

AlfonsoTheMango · 16/08/2021 07:36

Get both!

Toddlerteaplease · 16/08/2021 07:45

The only thing better than one cat, is two!

FancySomeChips · 16/08/2021 07:48

Def get both

NeverTalkToStrangers · 16/08/2021 07:55

I’m not so sure - you don’t make it clear whether they’ve spent time living together in the shelter or whether they’re just in the cages next to each other. Two siblings or a pair of cats who’ve been put together successfully in the shelter are great, but a pair who don’t get on and are constantly fighting for position are not ideal. What do the shelter say?

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 16/08/2021 07:59

I have always got kittens in pairs (except for the time I took three Grin). They amuse each other when they are little and I've found kittens to be no trouble. I'm convinced that 2 are easier than 1.
I'm not sure about two kittens from different litters though - all mine have been litter mates.

FollowYourOwnNorthStar · 16/08/2021 08:06

Thank you for everyone’s thoughts, I really appreciate the opinions.

The Shelter said they would try putting them in together, I guess I will hear how that goes in a few days.

I don’t mind if they bond together and leave me out (lol) just that they are happy. The worst would be if they didn’t get on a fought, or one picked on the other. The house is big enough for peaceful coexistence, but I don’t want to referee a bully!

OP posts:
NeverTalkToStrangers · 16/08/2021 08:16

Oh that sounds very sensible. Just be guided by what the shelter feeds back.

Plump82 · 16/08/2021 18:15

@mumsiedarlingrevolta

I don't want to throw cold water on your getting 2 idea-the only thing I will say-and this is anecdotal- that my DD did loads of research when we were at the same stage as you and the thing that put us off 2 was that some of the things suggested that they might bond/play/cuddle etc with each other and not you as much if they had each other.

So we got one supreme Queen and she rules us all.

What ever you do will be fine-good luck!!!

We have 2 who love each other but my boy cat adores me. He's rarely away from my side, sleeps on my pillow and has a good dribble when he makes biscuits on my neck!! My girl cat is very affection too but she really loves my husband so I can say with confidence that cats can be bonded but also love their slaves!
AlfonsoTheMango · 16/08/2021 20:16

True. When I was growing up my family had a pair of bonded Siamese. The male adored my mother and the female thought the sun rose and set on my brother.

TheBalletCats · 17/08/2021 09:31

As long as the shelter says they’ll be ok together, absolutely get both! (Am amazed - but please don’t mistake that for doubting/questioning you - that the shelter aren’t practically flinging whole families of felines at you, though obviously it’s good they’ve not good millions of moglets needing new homes.)

My cats (who were 9 in April) are littermate [half-]brothers who are incredibly closely bonded to each other. They absolutely adore me though; & their idea of absolute bliss is my providing snuggles on demand; joining in with play; & failing to notice their attempts to steal my food until too late. They both like to sleep on me or touching me; run to meet me if I’m ever so wicked as to Go Out (my having to shield = them living the dream as it appeared they’d finally trained me to Stay Indoors); & I save a fortune on heatpacks thanks to their knack for snuggling up to bits of me in need of heat treatment…

New Rescue Cat - one or two?
New Rescue Cat - one or two?
New Rescue Cat - one or two?
MrsSkylerWhite · 17/08/2021 09:33

Definitely two. Ours had a very difficult start in life. They are blissfully happy together and bring us so much fun and joy.

violetbunny · 17/08/2021 10:19

Two means twice as many kitty cuddles
Here are mine!

New Rescue Cat - one or two?
Want2beme · 17/08/2021 10:23

I wish you lived near me. I've got 3 bonded strays in need of a homeGrin. You sound lovely. Hope it goes well.

MintyCedric · 17/08/2021 10:27

Two kittens/cats are amazing.

Our girls are sisters, they are very happily bonded both to each other and to us.

Because the timing was a bit off I only had 5 days at home with them before having to go back to work (term time only, was anticipating getting them at beginning of half term but was unable to pick them until the end).

They were absolutely fine.

New Rescue Cat - one or two?
ilovesooty · 17/08/2021 10:31

I had two single cats and now have two brothers. One is the dominant cat. They coexist reasonably peacefully most of the time and are company for each other on the rare occasions I'm not there. Neither is as bonded to me as my first two were. My second cat in particular was a velcro cat. He even resented me speaking to someone else on the phone!

Mumsgirls · 17/08/2021 21:32

Gosh just dawned, mine attacks if I have a long phone call

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