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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.

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Original poster

How many kittens?

19 replies

Newkittens · 13/05/2023 14:02

We’re looking at getting a kitten or two from a family friends litter born to their tabby rescue cat.

We have a dc 3 and a dog. (Our child is very gentle with our dog and tbh mostly leaves her alone and has grown up around dog and family animals)

We’ve got some experience of cats, Dh grew up with them and my family have had them but I’ve never personally had one.

I was thinking I’d prefer females, would you advice one female or a pair of sisters? (If they have two available, if not would you feel one cat is wrong?)

Dh grew up with one Tom at a time, and I’ve known family member have 3 or 4 girls at a time. So I’m unsure what’s best for the cats. I see mixed opinions online about one or two. So looking for people’s experiences.

Thanks!

OP posts:

Chemenger · 13/05/2023 14:06

I would probably go for two boys. Nothing scientific, but I have found male cats to be more affectionate than females, in general. When I was fostering the only bites I had were from small, bad tempered females. Two kittens are much easier and less destructive than one.

Floralnomad · 13/05/2023 14:12

Our son has brother and sister Siamese and that has worked out fine , obviously need to be on top of the neutering though .

MidnightMeltdown · 13/05/2023 14:13

Agree that males tend to be more affectionate.

I've also read that two females are the least likely to get on. It's better to get two males, or male and female (but get them neutered asap!). That's not to say that two females won't get on, just that it's the highest risk pairing.

Original poster

Newkittens · 13/05/2023 14:15

Thanks … in your experience are two easier than one as they entertain each other, give each other confidence etc? Do you think the two being easier than one maintains into adulthood?

OP posts:

MidnightMeltdown · 13/05/2023 14:15

I have an unrelated male and female, introduced as kittens, and they are fine together.

MidnightMeltdown · 13/05/2023 14:18

Newkittens · 13/05/2023 14:15

Thanks … in your experience are two easier than one as they entertain each other, give each other confidence etc? Do you think the two being easier than one maintains into adulthood?

Yes. Two is definitely better as they need constant entertainment. It's a lot easier for you if they have another kitten to play with. It also makes me feel less guilty when I go on holiday as I know that they have each other.

ShadowPuppets · 13/05/2023 14:18

Two is easier if you’re out of the house much as they entertain each other. Only issue is that they wind each other up and then your curtains might be destroyed!

Agree males are generally more affectionate/ less arsey.

In my experience kitten pairs are v close as kittens and then grow to become more independent/ separate in adulthood, but it’s still a nice bond for them to have.

Mysa74 · 13/05/2023 14:20

2 is much better than one in my experience, kittens love to play and playing together teaches them that teeth are sharp... they tend to be friends for life or learn to ignore each other when they want space.

DancedByTheLightOfTheMoon · 13/05/2023 14:30

Much better to get two, l have always had a houseful of cats, mine have always got on ok, as long as they have own space when required and plenty of food everyone is happy. I do prefer the male cats they are extremely lovable and have a lot of character, but female cats are equally loving. I currently have 3 males and one female, all neutered and spayed and the little female rules the roost. She is the more dominant one.
Remember if you get a male and female kitten the female can get pregnant from 4-6 months loads of people get caught out by not spaying female cats early enough.

custardbear · 13/05/2023 14:41

Definitely 2, and not both female, personally I prefer boys too as far more interactive with the family, but our female cat is affectionate on her own terms, although doesn't like our 2 boys (had the boys 1.5 years and she still hisses at them)

RowenaRosewood · 13/05/2023 14:49

I agree with 2 too, they comfort each other in those early days away from mum 😢

HoldingTheDoor · 13/05/2023 14:57

I'd go for 2. The sex makes no difference imo. They're all individuals and I've had dozens of cats and found no difference but if you get one of each do get them neutered ASAP.

Original poster

Newkittens · 13/05/2023 14:58

Ok thanks everyone … preference for two strongly coming through, and males rather than females.

I’m not too worried about aloofness, but do you think boys get on better with each other rather than girls?

I’ve only ever known girls together and they all seemed happy with each other but I suppose they weren’t the most affectionate with people but I just thought that’s how cats were.

I’m concerned about weeing in the house from males even when neutered but as I say I don’t have much experience to base it on, only what I’ve seen.

All my pets will be/are neutered/spayed, so there won’t be any pregnancy concerns.

OP posts:

HoldingTheDoor · 13/05/2023 15:00

I've had plenty of affectionate female cats. I can't relate to males being friendlier at all. They really are individuals.

ArucanaWing · 13/05/2023 15:03

We’ve had loads of cats! Current got 7. They all pile on our bed together. Some don’t like to touch each other when sleeping, some snuggle up. We’ve had very affectionate boys and very affectionate girls. The biggest thing I look for is that if I try to stroke a kitten when it’s eating, that it naturally aches its back up into the stroke. (That assume it’s a well socialised kitten and not a feral rescue kitten) That’s the biggest indicator of affection I’ve found - although of course all cats are individuals. Some like to face rub, others just don’t etc etc.
We’ve only had single kittens when they’ve been an abandoned kitten found in its own or litter mates haven’t made it. They definitely benefit from another kitten when young IMO. Single kittens often end up not wanting to cuddle up to you to sleep as they learn to sleep by themselves most the time. Depends if you’d like a “lap cat” (no guarantees of course but our single kittens never sleep touching us although some like to be next to us).

WarmBeerAndSandwiches · 13/05/2023 18:09

I think the male/female affection thing is rubbish TBH. I've had male and female cats and my female cats have actually been the most affectionate, though all of them have been cuddly. It depends on the personality of the cat not its sex. Definitely get two though, they really keep each other occupied and are great company and a calming influence on one another when you go on holiday or when you have to take them to the vets.

Original poster

Newkittens · 13/05/2023 18:39

We’re rarely all out of the house, other than holidays …. Do you think cats are unhappy as single cats? We’re not against two, I just want to gauge experience. Thanks, you’ve all been so helpful.

OP posts:

OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 13/05/2023 19:00

I would get a boy and girl kitten and make sure they are neutered at 4 months at the latest.

OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 13/05/2023 19:02

Newkittens · 13/05/2023 18:39

2 is definitely better. They play and amuse each other. With a single one you have to do a lot more enrichment with them, not that that's a bad thing but 2 kittens really do amuse each other. It is also company overnight and they can cuddle up together. I say this as a single cat owner (we got her as a rescue and she didn't like other cats) and I do wish we could get another one.

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