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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

Talk to me about having two kitties!

15 replies

user134276 · 27/09/2024 14:45

My husband and I have always had a cat and I grew up with them too, and we always had two.

Following the sad death of our gorgeous 15yo tabby, we have decided to get some kittens. We have two kids who will be great with them, they are both 7+ and very used to cats.

We were going to get just 1, but after discussing it for a while, we think 2 might be better. We are at home a lot, but there will be 2 days a week where we'd be out from 9-4. We also go on holiday a few times a year (but only ever for a week at a time). We've got great neighbours who would come in and feed our old boy and fuss over him and we had a house sitter too when he was really old and unwell. I think if we get two, they'd be able to keep each other company when we aren't there and that would be nice for them. They will just be regular outdoor cats as we live in a quiet area that's really safe for cats.

I guess I'm mostly thinking about having 2 for their benefit, rather than ours, but obviously I'm not against having two cute little floofers in the house!

Aside from the obvious cost implication of having 2 that you need to insure and feed, are there any other complications or things to consider?

Will they still love us as much and want to snuggle up? Or do they just make do with each other? Our boy always always slept on our bed and he loved our company so much, but realistically I'm not sure I have space on the bed for two 😂this is a genuine concern of mine. Does 1 sleep on the bed whilst one doesn't, do they take turns, or do I just give up my bed 😂. Do they each need a separate food bowl? How does one make sure they both eat what they need rather than just one eating both bowls?

These are really random questions, sorry!

OP posts:
DustyLee123 · 27/09/2024 16:10

We got two and they excluded the older one, I wouldn’t do it again.

sunsetsandboardwalks · 27/09/2024 16:13

If you don't have any cats at the moment, definitely get two. We've had solos and pairs before, and the pairs (or kittens with company) were definitely happier and grew up to be better socialised.

Scutterbug · 27/09/2024 16:13

I’ve had two several times and it’s great as they have each other to play with! My cats have always been cuddlers too, sometimes both would try to squeeze on one lap! I think you’ll have to put up with both on your bed though!

Leeds157 · 27/09/2024 16:21

We lost our 12 year old tuxedo in June to cancer, he used to cuddle up at the foot of the bed, loaf on us, loved cuddles.
In August we rescued 2 x 6 month old kittens, they were found at 7 weeks old living outside, and it's possible their lack of human interaction at such a young age have made them slightly wary of humans as they are not cuddly like our old boy.
However one kitten is more braver and comes and cuddles with me for a few seconds whereas her sister is very against being touched. I think this is partly due to them being kittens and full of energy too as they're always zooming around. It is very different to our cuddly loving boy, who sounds similar to your boy, but they do keep each other company and also, knowing they have each other lessens the guilt of leaving for work, holidays etc. we also don't let them in the bedroom at night arm because they dive under the covers & start fighting 😂

Original poster
user134276 · 27/09/2024 16:54

We don't have an older one, so if we got kittens we'd get a sibling pair and they'd be the only cats in the house. I sort of assume siblings always get along?!

I mean two on one lap sounds AMAZING. I won't lie 😍 just not sure if there will be space for both of them on the bed when they are cats. Perhaps it's time to talk to DH about not sleeping in the same bed 🤣🤣.

OP posts:
stormsandsunshine · 27/09/2024 22:41

We are getting 2 kittens. Some rescues will only rehome kittens in pairs because they feel it’s better for them. DH was initially a bit wary of going for 2 (he hasn’t had cats before) but came round when I said they would get up to less mischief and it would also prevent our 2 kids squabbling over the 1 cat!

I’m picking up the kittens on Sunday so can’t yet share how it is going!

stormsandsunshine · 27/09/2024 22:43

On your logistical questions, at the moment the foster carer says our kittens are happy sharing a food bowl and a water bowl. She has put more than 1 litter tray in the room but they are using the same one. However the lady who did the home visit said to be aware that as they get older 2 cats may or may not be happy to share resources so we may need to get doubles of things.

Durdledore · 27/09/2024 22:48

We had two until one died suddenly. They loved each other very much and were an absolute joy. No regrets at all. We miss our cat’s sister very much. Definitely get two.

sunsetsandboardwalks · 27/09/2024 22:56

One the major advantages of two (or more) is that they're happier to stay out of the bedrooms as they have company. Our three sleep in a massive pile on the sofa all night - which is great as it means we don't get used as a racetrack at 3am 😂

NauseousNancy · 27/09/2024 22:58

We have one older cat, and two younger cats. We got them as kittens when they were about 8 weeks - they were found under a shed at 10 days old.

They definitely took a lot of comfort in each other when they were small. Lots of snuggling up together, grooming each other. They both just snuggled up together on our laps, or at our feet but were almost always together. They quite literally bounced off each other, lots of play fighting and rough and tumble.

Now they are like true siblings - love each other some days, hate each other some days! They still fight, but because they are bigger now I do sometimes have to intervene as there’s been some injuries! Mostly play fighting but they do some real fighting and hissing at each other now if they annoy each other.

We have three food bowls, three water bowls and three litter trays. Lots of toys - they have a toy box! Ours only have dry food so they just help themselves whenever they want.

I’m really glad we got two, but I’m not so sold on two being less mischief than one!

NauseousNancy · 27/09/2024 22:59

Oh and all three often clamber on our bed with us! We also have 3 cat beds in our bedroom, and 3 cat beds in the living room.

Beamur · 27/09/2024 23:03

I have 2 sisters and an older cat. Sisters go everywhere together. They are both the best of friends and also quarrel and squabble with each other! They are not besties with my older cat.
As kittens they were great company for each other.
At night one sleeps with me and the other one with DD.

whydoihavetowork · 27/09/2024 23:03

Definitely get two. They attack each other (in a nice way) and less inclined to go for your furniture.

We got two last year having lost our 19 year old. It is a shock to the system. They are crazy but great! They don't stay tiny for long and eat for England.

minipie · 27/09/2024 23:06

I think there are mostly positives but the big risk is if they don’t get on - even with siblings this is a risk. We had brother and sister cats, but the brother bullied the sister and tbh she was a much happier cat after he died.

However that is hopefully rare.

PeterCapaldiBae · 27/09/2024 23:12

We have two nine year old boys that we've had since they were kittens. They aren't blood brothers - not related to each other, but we got them around the same time, and they are around the same age as each other (one month apart).

They adore each other. But they still adore us and love having lots of cuddles. One in particular follows me everywhere and wants constant cuddles. Two is definitely better!

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