Would you get two cats or just one?

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Stargazer86F@reddit

If you have kittens you are meant to get two. Adopting an older cat we only had one as it turns she hates all other cats 😅

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asttocatbunny@reddit

This. We had 2 brothers at one point. They were inseparable.

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Rubberfootman@reddit

We thought our older cat was lonely so we got two kittens to keep her company. Turns out she’s just a shithead.

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Awkward_Chain_7839@reddit

Same. She was only 1, we got her a little brother. Until the day she died she hated him and he loved her!

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We got two for company from the same litter and since they were about 1.5 they've hated each other and don't go near each other. They want a lot of human attention though. Don't regret getting two at all, but they might not always be best buddies.

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Rubberfootman@reddit

So true. I see those lovely photos of cats snuggled up together, but the only time my brother-sister pair touch is during ambush attacks.

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Consistent-Eagle9499@reddit

I think two boy cats if you want them to be good buddies. Not certain but more likely than girl cats who in my experience are a bit more stand offish and independent

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Rubberfootman@reddit

That sounds about right. Everything is on Finch’s terms and absolutely nobody is allowed to pick her up.

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terahurts@reddit

If you get two make sure they're the same sex or that they're neutered unless you want *more* cats... There's also a chance that they'll end hating or at least disliking one another. We took one of our daughter's cats because he was being a bullying shit the other one.

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The_Sown_Rose@reddit

I have a brother/sister pairing, and I was keen to get them neutered/spayed as young as possible to avoid this exact situation - even the vet at their first check up pointed out we’d want that done sooner rather than later. SheCat obviously heard this was the plan and decided to disrupt it by just refusing to grow, the vet wanted them to be 2kg but she stalled at 1.8kg for ages (even as an adult cat, she only varies between 3.25kg and 3.5kg depending on if it’s summer or winter.) So we decided to at least get HeCat done so even if she was still able to get pregnant, he wasn’t able to impregnate her. He decided to add his own element of chaos by having undescended testicles so a procedure that was meant to be a simple pop and snip for £35 became a £400 treasure hunt in his abdomen. Bonus small anecdote: my colleague overheard me talking with a fellow cat owning colleague about my worry that we were later than intended and still couldn’t spay her, and said, “But they wouldn’t have kittens with each other, would they? They’re brother and sister!” We had to explain that cats don’t really care about that…

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Ill-Pineapple9818@reddit

Two. For company for each other but also of you are a couple you end up with a cat each. One cat will always prefer one of you

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riotlady@reddit

Lies, both my fecking cats prefer my husband and I got them before we even met!

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Beartato4772@reddit

If they are indoor cats, 2 are essential especially for young'uns imo.

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Beartato4772@reddit

The person who downvoted that should never have cats.

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snakeoildriller@reddit

Based on past experience, if you just get the one, it'll find itself a mate around the neighbourhood with no trouble 😉

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Puzzled-Barnacle-200@reddit

If getting a kitten, absolutely get two. They learn so much from interacting with each other. It will also make them more comfortable when everyone is out of the house, because they won't be really alone.

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kwaklog@reddit

Do you intend to let them out, or keep them indoors? My cat's just fine being on his own, although he found us having kids to be a bit stressful

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StationFar6396@reddit (OP)

Let them out

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tttkkk@reddit

Kids?

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kwaklog@reddit

I recommend letting kids out. The same amount of noise feels alot less outside, even if you go out with them

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Beartato4772@reddit

Letting kids out depends on their age.

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cari-strat@reddit

I have had two sib sets - a pair of brothers, and a brother/sister. They all got on very well and remained close all their lives.

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Tigertotz_411@reddit

I would stick to one, unless you have a lot of space. Cats need more space than you might think as they are territorial. They dislike sharing and it can lead to problems, they need their own food and water bowls, litter trays and sleeping quarters. Cats are expensive, not as expensive as dogs but still pricey, and two is double. Yes, they may entertain each other (and annoy each other) a little bit more so they require less play time. But at the cost that if one gets fleas, you are likely to get double the infestation, and it will be incredibly hard to deal with. The maintenance is also considerable - do you want to clean out two litter trays or deal with more damage fom two excitable cats in a confined space? If they don't have enough personal space they may run off, and risk car accident(s)/injuries, which again is an expense. Cats are wonderful pets but they are not social animals, they are solitary. The reason you see cats together that apparently get on is because they tolerate each other if food is plentiful. Good luck with your exciting new family member(s)!

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Background_Fox@reddit

I used to foster for a cat rescue, often with a batch of kittens that were dumped. Some kittens loved company, some were indifferent, some absolutely hated each other even if they used to be bonded very young. They started to show their preferences around the 8 week mark The majority of my cats were solo and disliked (or at least vaguely tolerated) other cats. Then again they were rescue/domestic shorthair, I think some breeds are more reliably cat social If the kittens were definitely bonded, then I'd be getting as many as I could ;)

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dragonetta123@reddit

Getting two kittens from the same litter means they will be more comfortable when left alone and more likely to get on.

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Sea_Confidence_4902@reddit

If you can afford it, get two.

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Paddlinginpoon@reddit

Will they be indoor or indoor/outdoor pets? If indoor get 2. If outdoor it doesnt matter 1 or 2. I have 2 indoor. A boy and a girl with 6 years between them and they are so happy together.

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Salt_Description_973@reddit

I have just one cat, but I’m home practically 24/7 with her and she’s happy but she takes up a big part of my life. I’d get two cats if you’re doing things so they have a friend

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psychopathic_shark@reddit

We have had one cat and he has been fine seems happy enough. We have also on 2 occasions had 2 from the same litter and they had a great time growing up but then they just co-existed. Occasionally when older one would walk up to the other give a playful bite on the neck that was responded with a shove but no real dramas with them. I think after having the best of both worlds I would opt for 2

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knackeredAlready@reddit

Always have two they like company

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moggiedon@reddit

We adopted a pair of old cats, sisters who'd always lived together. I think it's very sweet that although their circumstances have changed they have always had each other. They spend almost all their time in the same room, playing or sleeping (preferably on a human lap, when there's space for two!). Overall workload for two adult cats is about 1.2x that of having a single cat, but of course costs for food and vet are double.

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Scared_Albatross9521@reddit

None is always the answer

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One-Dig-3067@reddit

Yeah 2

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melanie110@reddit

I got one, I’ve now got 3…….. make of that what you will. One was cute but we ended up getting him a sister, they are both 10, and along came Ferguson 2 years ago and he terrorises the entire house. Ferguson is 3 on Xmas eve. It was hard to integrate at first with the age gap but all have settled well. I’d have more if I could

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angel_0f_music@reddit

Also getting my first kitten later this year. Sadly I don't have the space for two.

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Mandalabouquet@reddit

Previously have bred ragdolls and definitely think having two kittens / cats is a better option unless there is someone at home all the time. Cats from multi households are less likely to be destructive or have behavioural issues HOWEVER that is not to say that all cats get along with eachother… it’s a personality thing the same as with people. Two from a litter is generally more successful than introducing them later, but if you do get them from different litters they are more accepting as kittens.. but my advice would be to go with a female and a male (just make sure he’s neutered) as they tend to bond easier.

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mrfluffypants1504@reddit

I would say two is better than 1 so they don't get lonely but please please please make sure you get them neutered, microchips and insured. Also, if you live in a high traffic area, don't let them out. Build a catio or cat proof your garden. It's heart breaking when you lose them in an accident.

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Lunaspoona@reddit

Two, i originally had one kitten but she was so needy and dependant and I worked a lot , i ended up getting a second. She is still super clingy 10 years later but it helped a lot. They do play and cuddle together still even though they are getting older. They also love a good chase!

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Pegasus2022@reddit

I have two one was my mum’s he didn’t like her other cat and the other was a stray that i found.

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SpaceWomble64@reddit

As kittens I would get two as company for one another

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Viking793@reddit

Unless you have other animals at home 2 would be good for each other. My friend has sister kittens and they share a beautiful bond

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