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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

Feeling guilty for only having 1 kitten, not 2!

19 replies

HannahBelle78 · 17/09/2021 20:40

I keep reading everywhere that two kittens are better than one. I love our kitten so much and she seems happy and playful, but to be honest, I just don't feel massively inclined to get another. Our house isn't huge and I think two could feel a bit overwhelming. Has anyone else had just one and the kitten has been fine? Ours is 10 weeks.

OP posts:
Coffee4Queen · 18/09/2021 10:11

I have one and she seems perfectly ok but obviously I can’t be 100% sure. She’s 4 years. However when I first got her at 12 weeks I had been working part time and very close to home so spent a lot of time with her when she was a kitten.

When we were out the cat camera showed her sleeping most of the day and when she was awake she ate, played with her toys then back to sleep. She never cried or went looking for us and when we got home she would want cuddles for about 5 minutes then flounce off doing her own thing. With Covid she’s had both my husband and I at home full time for 18 months and her behaviour, eating and sleeping patterns haven’t changed.

Oldraver · 18/09/2021 10:34

The last two I had as onlys though we were home lots to entertain them

When I went back to work Ernie would go on his window cushion and still be there when I got home

Colin also used to get up go and have a drink food and go back to bed (we also had a camera)

I have got two now but reckon the same may happen when I go back to work

withsexypantsandasausagedog · 18/09/2021 10:41

If you do get another one, they may end up fighting anyway! Stick with one.

MrsSkylerWhite · 18/09/2021 10:42

One is fine if they have company most of the day.

icedcoffees · 18/09/2021 11:17

The time to get two is from day one, really. So two littermates or a bonded pair is ideal as it means they have company and someone to play with.

We have three cats now but our first cat was an "only" kitten for nearly a year and she seemed absolutely fine. She's five now and we also have a six year old rescue and a one year old kitten.

PumpkinKlNG · 18/09/2021 11:20

Of course it’s fine, I have one cat and she’s fine, my sister had one cat got a kitten and all they do is attack each other all because she thought the other cat was “lonely” now she wants to re home it due to the fighting Hmm

MidnightMeltdown · 18/09/2021 11:36

It really depends on the personality of the kitten and on how much time you are able to spend with it. I had one growing up and he was always perfectly happy on his own.

However, when I got the next kitten, I definitely felt that he needed a playmate. I was working (from home) and he wanted to play all day, and wasn't good at entertaining himself. I ended up getting a second kitten who was a couple of weeks younger than him, but they got on fine, and he was overwhelmed with joy at having someone to play with. It was definitely the right decision, although I had only really wanted one cat!

sweetkitty · 19/09/2021 19:02

Oh no get two B the more cats the better Grin

Don’t ask me I’ve just got a fourth kitten I’m terrible Hmm our youngest cat is 2 and the kitten and him have really bonded and are like besties, the other two are only 3 as well but how can I put this they are well fat. DCat3 isn’t and a bit more lively so he and the kitten are chasing each other all over the place and it’s great to see.

Sorry but I’m a fan of getting 2, I do think they are good compliant for each other, they burn off that crazy 3am kitten energy chasing each other, cuddle up and groom each other. In saying that I think DCat2 would probably be quite happy being an only she likes to go off and do her own thing away from the boys although she will join in the play fighting now and again.

It’s entirely up to you what you prefer

EachandEveryone · 19/09/2021 22:16

I also think two and I’d do it sooner rather than later. I’d hate to leave mine as an only if I wanted to go away or anything.

Nopetryagain · 19/09/2021 22:19

Adult cats are happier on their own, you are doing the right thing. My girl loved being the centre of our universe and would not take kindly to sharing us!

RobinPenguins · 19/09/2021 22:19

I had two littermates (both now deceased Sad) who had a whale of a time as kittens together but didn’t really get on as adult cats - I think one bullied the other. When one was killed by a car, the other actually became a lot happier and more sociable as an only cat.

LulaMaeBarnes · 19/09/2021 22:24

Cats don’t NEED another cats company. Most cats are fine with being the only cat in the house.

Intercity225 · 20/09/2021 10:54

We got two litter mates, as a bonded pair, which was specified by the cat rescue charity.

Now they are adults, the brother is dominant, and the sister spends her time hiding from him - she sleeps behind the settee all day (while he sleeps on our bed), and whoever he sleeps with at night, she sleeps with someone else. If they are in the same room, he generally picks a fight with her, by washing her ears out until she loses her temper - especially if he is angry and frustrated, like he wants Dreamies. She may come and lie on my chest, as she knows, I won't let him attack her.

I really believe she would be happier, if they were homed separately - but this is their home, and we can't put one of them through rehoming.

IMO, it is by no means a given, bonded litter mates will get on as adults!

seb342 · 20/09/2021 10:59

I had two, both bonded from the start and they hated each other. They were fine when they were kittens but as they grew up they just didn't get along, lots of hissing at each other every time they passed. I tried everything, feliway plug ins, making sure they had their own space etc but it never worked. I mentioned it to my vet and he said sometimes they just don't get along and it's a bit like humans don't all like each other 😂

MrsSkylerWhite · 20/09/2021 11:11

Nopetryagain

Adult cats are happier on their own, you are doing the right thing. My girl loved being the centre of our universe and would not take kindly to sharing us“

I worried about that when we took on our girls. Our boy was 7 and had been an only cat from 12 weeks.
Fast forward 9 months and he adores them. Took a while, interestingly he was angrier with us than with them but they’re all very happy together now. He even started playing again, which he hadn’t done for quite some time.

SlidDownTheElephantsTrunk · 20/09/2021 11:12

I got two kittens the first time round. One died last year (aged 13) and we got a single kitten soon after. She has been fine because we have all been home for the last 18 months. The older cat and the kitten tolerate each other.

Original poster
HannahBelle78 · 20/09/2021 14:53

Thank you all. I feel a bit better now Thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
HannahBelle78 · 20/09/2021 14:54

Oops pressed send too soon. Our kitten seems pretty cheerful and we're both at home all day which is good.

OP posts:
Snailhaterz2 · 21/09/2021 13:34

I would have considered two kittens, but when I went to the rehoming place, there was only one left from the litter. Litters don't always come in even numbers!

I do think the kitten has been a bit bored, as a result, and that's with an older cat in the house (who doesn't want to play as much as the kitten does and keeps leaving the house for peace and quiet), and me working from home. The kitten does play by herself, but also comes and stares at me when I've been hunched over my laptop for too long.

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