New kitten - should we have 1 or 2?

[Tamuchly]

For background, we have just said goodbye to our 12 year old cat. He was a bit of a curmudgeon, not keen on fuss, mainly did his own thing. He did keep getting beaten up by the local tom which led to him spending lots of time at home. Our other cat is female, feisty but friendly. Still very spritely at 11 years old, great relationships with the kids particularly my teenage son.

Yesterday we put a deposit on a female kitten, she will join us mid-May. When we visited, I fell in love with her brother but, being sensible, we can’t have him because of the tom.

Now I’m wondering, is the new kitten going to be a massive pain to our girl? Should we get the brother too so they can entertain each other? Would it be a massive risk to have the boy knowing what the tom is like?

I’m open to getting another girl kitten from elsewhere but that boy really stole my heart. Any advice very welcome!

[AnnaMagnani]

2 kittens is always better than one. They entertain each other. One on it's own is going to be following your old cat around and pissing them off.

Why can you have a girl kitten but not a boy kitten? As an owner of the neighbourhood fighting tom, he isn't bothered about the sex of the cats he beats up. He's just as likely to go for a female cat as a male.

[MrsSkylerWhite]

Definitely, two.

[Dareisayiseethesunshine]

Surely once neutered it doesn't matter what they are? 2 can keep each other company and off your soft furnishings when dcat 1 cba with them!!

[Dozycuntlaters]

Definitely get two.

[Tamuchly]

@AnnaMagnani

2 kittens is always better than one. They entertain each other. One on it's own is going to be following your old cat around and pissing them off.

Why can you have a girl kitten but not a boy kitten? As an owner of the neighbourhood fighting tom, he isn't bothered about the sex of the cats he beats up. He's just as likely to go for a female cat as a male.

He’s never bothered our girl (neutered) and I suppose I just assumed he was beating up the competition? Our old boy was really targeted by him so I wouldn’t want another poor soul caught up in that.

[ChooksnChicks]

Get two, they will be much happier. So long as you neuter the boy young he'll be fine.

We have a neighbourhood Tom who hassles my female (spayed) cat relentlessly. It drives me mad that people don't neuter their cats around here.

[Grumpyoldpersonwithcats]

Two (unless you fancy three...)

[Hepherlous]

Two! I ignored my gut when adopting out little girl kitten and didn't adopt her brother but sooooo wish I had

[MrTiddlesTheCat]

If you can't decide between 1 or 2, I suggest you compromise and get 3.

[Dareisayiseethesunshine]

We had 2 brothers.. 1 died. We got a teeny tiny girl dkitten..
Besties..
He is now 12 and her 3 and a half... They do surprise us!

[Tamuchly]

Thank you all, it seems the general consensus is that we should have both to allow peace for our older girl. I think she’d appreciate that! Now to wait for this evening to call the breeder - keeping everything crossed that he’s still available…

[mondaytosunday]

We got a boy kitten and his half sister was beautiful too. I said if she wasn't taken in a week I'd come back for her. First kitten was rowdy and needy but as soon as his sister arrived they had so much fun playing with each other and he was much more manageable. Now almost three and can't imagine not having them both (also have two dogs).

[Dareisayiseethesunshine]

My original dkittens..

[susiedaisy1912]

Get 2 if you can afford the food insurance vets etc, we got siblings boy and a girl and it was the best idea they are so close and entertain each other all the time and I love having two cats. They both have completely different personalities but are both very loving.

[goldenretrievermum5]

Definitely 2! I’d only ever gotten one with all of my previous cats but ended up with 2 kittens after DH convinced me - it was the best decision ever. They’re the best of friends and they entertained + comforted each other a lot in those early months. Despite being raised exactly the same they have incredibly different personalities so it really has been lovely to see them grow up together - one playful + cheeky and the other calm + cuddly!

[Tamuchly]

The breeder got back to me this morning to confirm that he is still available and that he is all ours (along with his sister) on 19th May - very exciting!

Now to count the hours for the next couple of weeks until we see them again!

[Xmasbaby11]

Oh gosh that’s exciting! Don’t forget to share pics!

[Dareisayiseethesunshine]

Twins!! Fantastic!!

[susiedaisy1912]

@MrTiddlesTheCat

If you can't decide between 1 or 2, I suggest you compromise and get 3.

🤣

[floppybit]

When the kitties arrive please don't forget to post cat tax

[GlomOfNit]

oh yay! So pleased you're getting both of them.

I hadn't had two cats at the same time since childhood and to be honest it hadn't really occurred to me that it was an option, mostly having been a one cat household, but after our dear old chap died last november, we started talking about looking for a pair of young, bonded cats ... and ended up with brother kittens! We've had them two weeks now. They're adorable when they're sleepy, all snuggled up - the rest of the time they're mounting silent attacks on one another but we think it's all play. They definitely amuse each other. They have very different personalities coming through already and I can't imagine being without them.