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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

Looking for a kitten - only seem to come in 2s

137 replies

legophoenix · 28/10/2022 18:51

Hi, my kids are desperate for a kitten and I had it in my head that we just wanted one, but the local shelter seems to specify that the kittens can only go in pairs or to a home that already has a cat or dog.

Anyway we don't have any pets currently so I guess my question is, are two kittens harder work than one? Or would we manage ok with two?

Both DH and I had cats in the past when we were young but just one and it was a looong time ago!

Thanks 😊

OP posts:
ShadowPuppets · 28/10/2022 18:54

I’ve done it both ways and I’d always recommend taking kittens as a pair. No more work than one except emptying a litter tray more frequently and two lots of food and insurance but the flip side is they keep each other entertained, and their bond is lovely to see - they’re less likely to take to an unrelated cat but our two used to sleep curled up together and it melted my heart! And far less house destruction than when we had 1 kitten, I assume because they kept each other entertained rather than boredom causing the kitten to climb the curtains…

DeathMetalMum · 28/10/2022 18:56

Two is best, they will play with each other and also keep each other company when they are little of your out for a while.

We got two kittens a few years ago and definitely didn't find them particularly hard work.

floridaplanner · 28/10/2022 18:58

Two is absolutely amazing. Could cry thinking about my two snuggled round each other in a bed that one can hardly fit in alone now.

Definitely get two!! There’s a reason they’re rehoming them in pairs.

AnApparitionQuipped · 28/10/2022 18:59

If you don't already have a cat, you need two kittens. Some lone kittens may be OK but they tend to get bored and lonely on their own.

AmongstTheCosmos · 28/10/2022 18:59

Two is definitely easier than one and better in every conceivable way. Good luck OP - cats are absolutely brilliant!

custardbear · 28/10/2022 19:01

Two is so much better!
We got 1 from the cats protection league and hoped he'd get on with our female cat - nope! So we got another from the same place - so now we have 3 ... and a new puppy too lol - female cat hates them all and lives upstairs now

Internetwanderer · 28/10/2022 19:05

I've also just got 2 kittens...they are brothers...after previously having had single kittens. I expected chaos. In some ways that happens - mostly when they have the "zoomies" , chasing and playfighting. Which is actually lovely to watch.
But it turns out their body clocks match so they curl up and nap together, play together and entertain each other really well. So I can sometimes feel a bit superfluous!
So apart from double the cost of insurance, food, jabs etc there really hasnt been a drawback.
(Go for it!)

PerrinAybara · 28/10/2022 19:10

We got 1 kitten earlier this year. As we already had cats, I thought it would be OK. But he's much happier now I've caved and brought another kitten in. They constantly play together and are best buddies. The older cats are happier too as his boisterous play is now directed elsewhere.

SpentDandelion · 28/10/2022 19:11

Definitely go for two, it's easier for them to settle, a lot less daunting and lonely for them. kittens love company, l have 3 young kittens currently two from same litter and my eldest kitten who sadly lost his sister when l got her spayed, hence took on two more. But the three of them love each other, play, sleep and groom one another, cry if they become seperated. It's a beautiful bond and other cats l have had in pairs from kittens have always had a good bond together throughout. One kitten will get easily bored and demand your attention constantly, my three entertain themselves, obviously l do play and interact with them but it's not all on me.

Toddlerteaplease · 28/10/2022 22:14

Two cats Is brilliant. I have to unrelated adults. And they completely gang up on me. It's hilarious to seem them in cahoots with each other.

Lonecatwithkitten · 29/10/2022 07:25

Two is definitely better after years of abandoned cats, two kittens were abandoned on the practice doorstep and I took them home. So fabulous to see how close they are snuggling up playing with each. They have distinct personalities, but also form a separate cheeky personality together.

NCHammer2022 · 29/10/2022 07:28

2 is better, they teach each other things like how biting is annoying and generally take out some of their excess energy on each other. I had a brother and sister pair who grew up not to really want to spend much time together but they were inseparable as kittens and played all the time they weren’t sleeping curled up next to each other.

Teeshirt · 29/10/2022 07:29

Our kitten was from a rescue. There was only one. She’d been found as a stray. The rescue liked that there was someone at home all day, so the cat was never alone. We were also previous cat owners.

CRbear · 29/10/2022 07:33

I’m baffled by this attitude from shelters. Aren’t cats solitary animals - atleast once they are grown? typically? fancy having a full shelter and turning away people who just want one pet. I had to catch my own feral kitten in the end and she’s happy as anything being an only cat 😂❤️

mondaytosunday · 29/10/2022 07:37

We got one and despite us playing with him he was very needy so after a week I went back for his sister - he was much happier as he had a playmate! They are over a year now and still chase each other around and wrestle. I have dogs too and they are one big fur family!

AnnaMagnani · 29/10/2022 07:48

2 is a lot less work than 1. They play with each other and not your curtains. They also learn important stuff like how much biting is annoying from each other.

Yes, around age 3, they usually get fed up of each other and start to live separate lives. But by that time they are used to living with each other and can share relatively harmoniously, apart from minor arguments around dinner time.

PuppyMonkey · 29/10/2022 08:05

I now want two kittens immediately.Grin

Cotswoldmama · 29/10/2022 08:06

Two won't be harder work and it's very hard to introduce another kitten or cat to a household, it takes a lot of time and work.

Roughasabadgersbum · 29/10/2022 08:07

Where are you in the UK?

Shanksponyorbust · 29/10/2022 08:11

Cats are generally very sociable and loving with litter mates. I’d always get two now as it’s so lovely to see them play and curl up together.

ButtOutBobsMum · 29/10/2022 08:20

Slightly different perspective. We've got two cats-brother and sister. They were fine as kittens, played together lovely. By the time they were about a year old, sister hated brother! They're 7 now and she still can barely tolerate him. Spits at him every time he comes near her!!

thelobsterquadrille · 29/10/2022 08:25

Two is a million times easier than one.

Ganymedemoon · 29/10/2022 08:27

I'm surprised about the 2 is easier than 1 with cats tbh. I have always had cats, but 1 as they are actually more solitary animals and very territorial once adults. Kittenhood is very short lived! The one time we had 2 they were great as kittens but as adults they absolutely hated each other and fought all the time, it was a bloody nightmare. Never would I get 2 again!

ChocChipOwl · 29/10/2022 08:28

@CRbear is correct. Adult cats are solitary animals and territorial. They don't need or want a playmate

2 kittens coming together will obviously play and sleep together so that's cute but really, people need to stop putting human emotions into cats. They do prefer to be alone

And those saying ' get two, it's no more bother.'

Well it is. In terms of double the insurance costs, double the food, double the potential vet bills and double the cleaning of litter. So , especially in these times, my advice would be to keep looking and get one

FaazoHuyzeoSix · 29/10/2022 08:31

It's much, much better for kittens to have at least one other kitten in the hoise. Much healthier for their mental, physical and social development. A single kitten is much harder work as they need cobstant stimulation and play. Kittens help each other to learn how to play nicely with teeth and claws not too violently applied, a solo kitten doesn't learn that his playing is too rough.

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