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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

To get one kitten or two?

79 replies

CrystalQueen87 · 10/01/2024 17:13

I would like experiences on having one or two cats please?
Pros and cons but mainly if having two affects how close and affectionate they are with you as they have each other to go off and roam around outside with etc.

We recently lost our beloved cat and have found a beautiful girl Kitten who we collect in a few weeks.
She has a lovely little brother still available in the litter (the other have been reserved)
And now I am seriously debating whether to get him too 😍
What do you think?
One is enough?
Two will be cute as they are siblings and will have each other?
Will having two mean they are less cuddly and affectionate with us as they will have each other to keep company and maybe go off outside together or will they still be independent and have their own ways and personalities?
Any input or expenses greatly appreciated ☺️
Thanks! 🙏🏼

OP posts:
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TalkedTooMuchStayedTooLong · 10/01/2024 17:22

Get them both... having adopted cats singly and in twos I can say it's actually easier in twos as they have each other to play with and cuddle with... the kitten stage can be full on and it helps if they have a playmate.

Lonelycrab · 10/01/2024 17:23

I’m cat sitting for a friend, she has two 5/6 month old kittens (our family only ever had one at a time) and I think it’s better with 2. They keep each other company and it’s also brilliant fun watching them bundle and play fight each other, I guess they’re practising their hunting skills on each other. Both are very stroke-able and sociable and loved being picked up, if it was me I’d get two.

TalkedTooMuchStayedTooLong · 10/01/2024 17:24

And as for affection, that depends on the cat, but all but one of the 8 cats I've had over the years has been affectionate regardless of being a singleton or not... the very most affectionate cat was one of two brothers...

PTSDBarbiegirl · 10/01/2024 17:25

I got 2 from same litter and they are really good company together. Both are out a lot but they def are bonded, even if they fight at 2am at times! Not usually though.

User13579367337 · 10/01/2024 17:25

I don’t think getting 2 means they are less affectionate. Both of mine would rather my attention than each others

Pixiedust1234 · 10/01/2024 17:26

Two kittens. That way they can entertain each other, give each other the confidence to explore. Kittens should never be adopted on their own, it's the law.

Plump82 · 10/01/2024 17:29

My cats are from the same litter, prior to them I had just the one. They often fight and it ends in hissing and screeching but I think this mainly down to boy cat being twice the size of girl cat and she has to screech to get him away. However they sleep curled up together every night (not before the fighting over the bed, despite there being an identical one next to the one they are both in and fighting over) and do have some really cute grooming sessions. Plus they play with each other.
They are very affectionate with each other but absolutely adore r me and my husband and most days I have both of them on me snuggled up.

Long story short, get the brother!!

EmpressaurusOfTheSevenOceans · 10/01/2024 17:33

I’m fostering 8-month-old sisters and most nights I’ll have them both snuggled up to me. They come up separately for attention too.

whatsinanameeh · 10/01/2024 17:34

Get two

We adopted a rescue kitten after our older cats had passed away

We realised we wanted more than one cat and introduced a young cat after one year and they do not get on at all

The kitten stage was difficult too

Get two, they will be buddies

Needtogrowsproutsfordecember · 10/01/2024 17:36

Getting 2 really does half the damage to your skin and soft furnishings...

tortoiseshellcats · 10/01/2024 17:39

It's usually better to get two kittens when possible. I would definitely get both! just make sure you get them neutered as soon as they're old enough😂

Needtogrowsproutsfordecember · 10/01/2024 17:44

My 2 years ago.... Imagine leaving behind op. Don't do it...

To get one kitten or two?
PurpleReindeer2 · 10/01/2024 17:53

Awww get them both. They'll love each other and you. 🥰

Waves93 · 10/01/2024 17:58

Deffo get 2! 😊 we got a girl kitten back last year and after 2 weeks decided she 100% needed a little play mate as she was so full on! And also would be crying when left alone etc
Within a few weeks we had a boy kitten from a different litter (got them both neutered as soon as they were old enough) they loved each other from day one! And are still so close nearly a year later 🥰 they still play fight which is fun to watch but also cuddle up and groom each other, but equally both like human cuddles and attention off us so will still jump up on our laps on the sofa etc
Pic of them cwtching up this morning when I got in from the school run 🥰😂

To get one kitten or two?
poppetandmog · 10/01/2024 17:59

Definitely two. Our two are typical siblings - fight frequently but also absolutely adore each other. They are such a bonded pair and it gives me a bit more confidence leaving them alone knowing they have company. They are house cats though so definitely need the stimulation of a playmate.

To get one kitten or two?
LetMeDream · 10/01/2024 18:00

Much better to get two.
They will be a great comfort to one another, especially in the early settling in days, and will have a playmate.
All of the kittens l have rehomed in pairs have had a close bond, as well as being very affectionate.

Thisweeksname · 10/01/2024 18:02

We have two kittens and it’s the best decision we made 😊 they’re both very affectionate with us, having two means they don’t get lonely and it’s lovely watching them play together. Right now I’m on the sofa with a kitten snuggled either side of me. I’d definitely say have both ❤️ It’s much nicer for the kittens too, they get to stay together

Florajane · 10/01/2024 18:02

Definitely easier with 2. We wanted to adopt 2 of the 3 left and yes, we now have 3! All are super affectionate and it's definitely helpful that they have each other to play with.

To get one kitten or two?
Baircasolly · 10/01/2024 18:05

I'm just going to put this out there - have you considered getting three? 😉

I can't bear to have one kitten on their own. In my experience they are much happier with a littermate as kittens, and whilst they do cool off each a bit as they grow up, you'll still often find them curled up together on a sofa (but they would always pick a human lap if they had the choice!)

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 10/01/2024 18:16

Get two - much easier than one because they keep each other amused as kittens.
Our 13 year old siblings on Mrs G's lap this evening.

To get one kitten or two?
To get one kitten or two?
Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 10/01/2024 18:18

Although I did get three siblings on one occasion. 😽😽😽

Princessfluffy · 10/01/2024 18:28

Getting two is wonderful, my two really love each other and are great playmates.
The only downside is twice as expensive.

CatChant · 10/01/2024 18:31

Two, always two.

They have company, they are enchanting to watch playing together and they are still very affectionate to their humans.

We are on our third pair of sisters and it has always worked out well for us.

Habbibu · 10/01/2024 18:34

Two, definitely. We adopted our most recent two kittens when the boy of our first sibling pair was knocked over. It makes the transition easier for them and they are so funny together.

To get one kitten or two?
Snowwhite83 · 10/01/2024 18:39

Definitely get two. My cats are super affectionate but I feel much better leaving them at home during the day because they have each other to curl up with. Also always found boys are more cuddly, get the brother

To get one kitten or two?