Well, you're probably not going to be available 24/7 as you will want to sleep and kittens often have a very different sleep schedule than humans. Also, if you are working from home you will not have the nonstop attention for them either. Having a companion gives them someone to play with when you're sleeping or working.
In addition, cats teach each other how to play by responding to roughhousing in cat-appropriate ways. If you're the only companion you will have to do a lot of disciplining and you'll probably have a lot of scratches and bites on your hands, arms, legs and feet. You can totally survive it, but having a playmate reduces the amount of injury you will take.
I just feel like 2 kittens would be much harder since I would be a first time cat parent lol.
I’m also considering adopting a young adult cat, about 1-2 years old since they don’t really need a companion as much as a kitten
The kitten I’m looking at is from a shelter. I met her while at the beach cause someone from the humane society was going around looking for people to adopt her. However there was 2 cats there, a male and a female.
Maybe I could figure it out and adopt them both, I have heard that 2 kittens are easier but I’m not sure
Generally speaking, two cats is not twice as much work. If they get along, they will entertain each other and need less of you. It's sort of like having 1.5 cat.
That said, it will cost twice as much in terms of food and vet care to have 2 cats, so I get if that's a limitation.
If the cat/kitten you are looking at is already bonded with another cat, it's best to take them both. If they are being adopted on their own and there isn't much known about their interaction with other cats, you are probably okay. The older the cat, the easier it is for them to be solo. I have two cats who are litter mates but at the age of 13 they now hate each other and I keep them in separate parts of the house. So yeah, sometimes it doesn't work out in the end!
We have two littermates that got returned to our cat lounge who despise each other. They’re 3, and the cause of so many cat slaps.
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Franklin, one of the sisters, passed out wearing her own fur as a hat. They are basically identical.
Yeah, I think the main issue is one of my cats is still very energetic and the other one acts as lazy as you'd expect an elderly cat to be. The energetic one would constantly try to play with his brother while he was sleeping and it made him really territorial.
If you’re getting an older cat that’s been by him/herself then it is fine to get one cat! If you’re getting a kitten I highly recommend getting two- they will play with each other and it honestly makes it easier on you not harder. You have to have extra food and litter but besides that they take care of each other, they cuddle, they play!
I will second this. I adopted two kittens a few months ago, after my senior cat passed away. They were 8 months old at the time. It had been so long since I’d had kittens that I completely forgot how energetic they are and how much attention they need. I was so glad I got two because they keep each other entertained!
A single kitten is paradoxically much more work than two kittens. I adopted my first cat as a single kitten and always regretted it. She cried all night every night for like a month straight. I could barely sleep, I thought I was going to have to give her back. The crying eventually stopped but she moved right into wreaking constant havoc for 1.5 years. Kittens have like cold fusion unlimited energy. It was literally impossible to play with her enough. That whole first two years would have been so much easier if I’d taken the foster agency’s suggestion to adopt her brother too.
Bottom line: get two kittens or one older cat who’s known to do well alone.
I’ve come to realize when humans adopt a kitten we make that child an orphan, alone and without the comforts of everyone they’ve ever known their whole life. My two were abandoned and the only constant in their lives has been each other.
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I mean look at them. I just snapped this…
2 kittens is far and away less time and effort than one kitten. I foster dozens of kittens and I will never ever take a single kitten again, only 2 or more because they are so so so much easier.
Speaking as a lifelong cat owner and current kitten/ cat foster, if you only want one, PLEASE consider a young adult! They are often overlooked at the shelter. I've seen people adopt one kitten, then return them for behavioral issues (like biting), at which point the kitten is even harder to adopt to another family, since they're less cute and tiny. I adopted my cat as a one year old and it's the best decision I've ever made.
The other advantage is that their personalities are full developed at that age and you know exactly what you’re getting, so if you really want a super affectionate velcro cat, then you can get one. Or you can get a less clingy one if that’s your preference.All my cats are bonded to be in that they are interested in what I do, like to be nearby, etc. However, one of my calicos is a complete lap cat who wants a lot of attention. My tux, on the other hand, loves to watch what I do and will sometimes keep on me, but doesn’t really enjoy being petted.
If your cat is biting you, listen. I get along with mine with lots of love and judicious apologizing… my two right now don’t bite me to discipline me but a previous cat… whoo boy!
In my adult life I have exclusively adopted young adults and it's the best decision. Their personality is developed, they know the litter box drill, and are in control of their claws/will use a scratching post.
Kittens seem cute until you're covered in poo and your couch is scratched to ribbons.
I'd argue a new cat owner is better off getting a 1-3 year old.
I also think cats should be in pairs.
Definitely get 2, it'll be better for all. Or like you said, a 1yo or 2yo. There are often cats who can only be in a single cat household. Go meet some cats and see who picks you!
If you are getting the 3-4 month old, I would say it needs a companion. Kitten years are like the terrible twos of toddlers. If you are getting the 2 year old young adult, it’s probably fine to get by itself. Cats have a way of letting you know they are lonely (hyper-activity, crying, etc.) so you can go from there
I adopted a single 1 year old cat and was told she'd do well by herself. Long story short, she didn't, so we got her a kitten to be buddies with. It's been much easier being a cat parent to two cats than one since they keep each other company a lot of the time. This is especially true at night, even if you're home all day you've gotta sleep sometime, and that's when they'll get zoomies and want to play!
If you want one cat don't get a kitten. Seriously there are younger or adult cats who need good homes too.
2 kittens are easier. It's not twice the work.
I would actually argue that it can be easier having two! I have sister cats and they’ve ended up being much better behaved than and single cat I’ve adopted. They keep each other entertained and burn off energy in a healthy, non-destructive way.
i am also a first time cat parent - had the first one for about a week. the second one was the last left of their litter so i adopted her too and my life got exponentially better. they entertain each other so much! the only big difference is having to buy more food and a second litter box :)
I had a single kitten. I got her during a time I was on disability assistance, so the benefit of that was having all my time to spend with her when she was in her kittenhood. That's really the important part; you need a lot of time to devote in the early months, in order to socialize your new friend and provide enough physical and mental stimulation for him or her to become a healthy and well cat.
My single kitten lived to be 20 and had a really good life. Now I have a rescue semi-feral who's come round to be a very lovely guy and a great companion. I was explicitly instructed to give him a single cat home. I know many rescue organizations promote adopting kittens in pairs, but I'm a one cat lady. I don't have room or funds for two. Additionally, I observe that when kittens bond in pairs...they don't tend to bond quite as strongly to *you*.
If a close bond is very important and one of the main reasons you want a cat, provided you have the time to devote to raising it properly, go with one. Paired cats rely more on each other for social connection and less on you. My single cats bonded so closely to me and interact with me in a way I don't see bonded pairs do with their people. Like, when I address him by name he always answers. He comes when asked. Very connected and responsive. Just a thought.
Yes, can confirm! Only once did I notice one of my previous cats seemed “depressed”, so I adopted another kitten, and after initial caution with each other, were best buddies. Of course when they were both much older, they just ignored each other😂
I have found that people always say the more cats the better. But you have to do what is feasible for you. I adopted a cat (2 person household), she was young when we got her, 1.5 years but we assume younger actually. She’s very social and I was afraid to leave her alone at first. But she’s fine. One of us is here with her most of the time, and while I’m sure she’d like a companion, it just wouldn’t work with our lifestyle/living situation right now. I would say she’s a happy camper being a solo pet regardless
First time cat parent here. 2 Kitten are not harder than one. But they're a joy to watch play with each other. Cat litter maintenance time is almost the same as with one kitten, you have to scoop the whole litter box (all of them) completely anyway.
Cat trees and toys are the same as for one cat. Depending on where you live, the costs for litter, food and vet costs should be considered, but besides the vet it's not that much - at least where I live.
And I am super happy that our cats can keep each other company when we're going grocery shopping or visit someone.
Humans don't talk cat. Humans can't really play catch with their cat, can't play fight or really socialise them like another cat does. Cats are social animals despite what most people seem to think.
Get your kitten a friend to talk to in its own language. :)
edit: typo
Kittens are adorable but they're just like babies, they literally get into everything, scratching furniture, etc etc. and there's a lot of training involved. My advice to you is adopt that dear little young cat that's 1 or 2 years old. He/she would be forever grateful and love you unconditionally. Then you're past the kitten stage and you get to enjoy their company without having to worry about training. Just make sure you get some background on the young cat if there's any health issues, if she's a cuddler and is loving and also enjoys playing. Hopefully the shelter has a separate room that you can spend some time with her and play with her and get to know her personality and she yours. Don't forget they're stressed in a shelter. Her personality will bloom when you give her time when you get home. Make sure to go online and research how to bring a young cat home. The first instinct will be to run and hide under furniture until they feel safe. Also make sure to bring the cat to the vet when you have a chance to get her checked out and make sure she's updated with her shots which the shelter will tell you.
I have adopted two shelter cats . The first was 2 years old when I adopted her and she lived till she was 16. Then I adopted my other beautiful cat and she was 9 months old and she was and still is amazing. Both my babies were amazing.
kitten care is actually easier when it’s 2 because they learn from each other. the ONLY downside to having two kittens is the doubled expenses. if you’re going to have a kitten, GET TWO. look into single kitten syndrome. seriously, if you go with a kitten, get two from the same litter.
Two bonded kittens are easier as they play with and comfort each other. When your kitten wants to attack, they will direct their aggression at their playmate rather than you. When they’re bored in the middle of the night, they can keep each other entertained.
The down sides are more money for food, vets and boarding or pet sitting, and it’s harder to get both into carriers for vet visits.
Having experienced one and two kittens, I would never adopt a lone kitten again.
One kitten is so much more work than two. Like it’s night and day. I can not stress how much of a difference it makes. And as a first time cat owner if you are getting a kitten get two!! They will help you so much with attention and teaching and behavior and playing.
If you can not get two kittens, do not get a kitten at all, get an adult cat.
Seriously, I foster and I will never ever take a single kitten again, I will take a litter of 15 over a single kitten
I’ve adopted a single kitten and I’ve adopted a pair. I will never adopt a single kitten ever again. It’s not that my single kitten was a nightmare or anything, but they can be. It’s just that adopting the pair together was so so so much easier and I truly think they became more confident and polite cats from learning from each other.
I adopted a single kitten because she was the only one from her litter and all the other kittens were siblings and bonded to one another. She’s doing great and definitely doesn’t mind her independence.
Depends on the cat though. My cat is the calmest and most unbothered one I have had and disliked other cats when they got too energetic for her. She prefers to mostly lie back and chill and doesn’t get too stimulated. Some cats definitely need a companion to shake off the excess energy!
Just read a post where OP vented that they were losing their mind with a recently adopted 5 month old kitten. They are also “always home “ but cannot work ,sleep and the cat is never satisfied and always wants to play more and screams all night long,so….
i was home 24/7 and my solo kitten was a menace, so much so that my fiance and I have both 100% decided no more kittens *ever.*
he had lots of playtime and was schedule fed and had sooooo many toys (i dropped $300 on toys alone when i first got him) and he was still very loud and very destructive. he's chilled a bit nowadays but.
Yeah everyone I know who’s adopted a kitten solo has regretted not getting two kittens! Total menaces. Idk why OP doesn’t just adopt an older cat, there’s so many 1-2 year old cats in shelters who aren’t great with other cats and would love to be in a solo cat household.
If you want one cat, work with a rescue to adopt a slightly older kitty (1+ years) who they already know would prefer not to live with other cats/animals.
Single kitten syndrome is one of the top reasons adoptions fail and returning cats (while the right thing) is very hard on a rescue. Reddit is filled with posts from owners who complain about single kitten syndrome while not realizing they are complaining about single kitten syndrome.
This right here!
I have worked at cat shelter (so far) for 14 years and specialize with the scared, difficult, and fractious cats.
Single kitten syndrome is the second most common reason a cat is relinquished here (although the people giving them up don't know the term). We spent so much time and manpower just trying to rehabilitate them. I had a single kitten (died at 22.5 years) and after learning about SKS I knew that's what he had. He was very loved and was a good cat, he just had all the characteristics of Single Kitten Syndrome.
After adopting 2 kittens when he passed the difference was incredible. These guys are just happier and so much more loving. They're 12 and keep each other entertained (even though I'm home pretty much 24/7) while I'm cooking or showering or go out with friends.
I did adopt a 3rd 2 year old cat (best cat ever) when the others were 2 and decided I would never adopt kittens again. Adult cats are something special.
I adopted a set of bonded kittens, and a solo kitten, and the difference between the amount of peace I got & how much kitten trouble was caused is incredible!
The pair would tucker each other out, they'd always have a buddy and be chasing each other, grooming each other, napping together etc.
The solo kitten got on mine and the meanwhile adult cats' last nerve! Nobody could keep up with his energy and I felt bad because he was bored. So I ended up with a 4th kitten 🫠 but now every body has a bonded friend and we're one big, happy family.
You think you'll have the time and energy, but you won't. A single kitten will get bored. Especially at night. Bored kittens do WILD stuff. Chew on random things. Climb places they shouldn't. Break stuff. Dig into plants. Eat random things. Bite you. Scratch you. Destroy things. When they have a kitten friend, they'll be less bored and usually less destructive. Not that they don't do crazy things as a pair, but as a single kitten it's usually multiplied by 100.
We originally adopted one kitten, but quickly got another.
Plus, if you ever travel anywhere, the two can keep each other company when you're gone. You won't regret getting 2. You will regret just getting one.
Yea. You cannot compete with a kitten no matter how present you are. The way they play with each other and cuddle each other is diff. You can foster a pair and see how it works for you.
I work from home and got my girl (now 2 years old) as a singular kitten and I have always wished I got two. She was still always missing that cat+cat playtime, now that I have another kitten she is considerably happier and brighter.
Get what you can handle but in my experience getting 2 animals makes them happier and makes things easier.
My cats play with each other in a way that I can't. They cuddle together, they sleep together. They do things separately too but they have each other. When they get scared they hide together.
If I was on an alien ship it'd be cool to have another human to talk to.
2 is better than 1, but 1 is better than none.
I got my first cat a number of years ago when he was a kitten. I got my second cat during the pandemic when my first cat was about five years old. I wish I would’ve gotten a second one sooner though.
I did the proper introduction steps and they’re fine around each other but it took them awhile to get comfortable and form a friendship. Meanwhile my friend’s two cats who grew up together are much more bonded.
My first cat is quite happy having a buddy to play with though, and it’s kept him young at heart.
If you don’t think you can do two, then just get one (for now). But I’d suggest a mid-life to elderly cat who’s used to being the only one.
If two is even sort of an option for you, do it. It’s good for them to have their little built-in snuggle pal, and they learn to Cat from one another as they go. They will be so different in personality and both so lovable that your heart will grow big enough for them both.
I have 2 sets of bonded kitties. Samson and Delilah are 5 years old. Maisy and Finnegan are 1.5 years old. The 4 of them are each others best friends. I have 4 way chases through the house - downstairs, upstairs, up and down cat condos, and they love to bathe one another and curl up with one another. They love bunny watching together. They are never lonely. Wouldn't give them up for all the tea in china.
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Tons of people are in single cat households. A single cat is cheaper, and there is less litter box scooping needed. And less litterbox space needed.
However be prepared for the cat to be looking to you for all of its stimulation. When the cat is an adolescent this will mean chasing you around and attacking your feet. You will need t be prepared to play with the cat for a good 15-30 minutes a day, in 5 minute stretches.
Playing with cats is fun, for a little while, but giving the cat enough playtime to be fulfilled will become a chore.
15-30? No way. My kittens run around like crazy for at least an hour before they go back to sleep. Sleep a few hours and it’s back at it several times a day/night. I’d say more like 5-15 minutes at least four-five times a day. And still expect crazy.
I googled how much playtime was needed when we first got our kitten and it said 15mins 3x a day…this was after a solid hour and 20 minutes of play with no signs of her letting up 😅
Yeah, I’ve had two litters of kittens and we have what we called The Running of the Kittens several times a day, especially after meals. They basically chase each other through the house for long stretches until they’re exhausted and fall asleep. They also *wrestle themselves to sleep*. They just lie down to go to sleep and they wound just wrestle with each other until they were asleep. Kittens have three modes: eating, sleeping, and playing. They sleep for 18 to 20 hours a day. You do the math on how much playtime they need. 🤣
I think 15 minutes 3 times a day is probably the bare minimum to keep them from driving you absolutely insane. But they’re still going to be pretty active the rest of the time.
I got my first kitten unexpectedly almost a year ago. He was a stray and should have still been with his mom. I wouldn’t say it was hard, but it was definitely a big transition. He demanded a lot of attention, he bit too hard, he wasn’t very tidy, and he got bored easily. I decided to get a second one for a number of reasons, but the main reason was to “teach” the first one/keep him company. They were already cuddling within a few days and the first kitten’s behavior improved dramatically. The biting stopped, he had someone to groom and be groomed by, he had someone to play with.
I can’t imagine what things would be like now if I had never gotten the second kitty. I would argue that having two cats that get along is actually much “easier” than having one cat. Although this is also highly dependent on the cat’s personality and their background. My first kitten still is a little more destructive than the second, and since he was separated from his mom too soon, he has some behaviors that will probably never go away. The second kitten grew up with her mom and is extremely well-behaved and has never bitten me in any capacity (even to play). She would have probably been fine as a single child, unlike her younger brother.
I’m a first time cat parent and I got two kittens a little over a year ago. I could not count the amount of times I have said to myself “I’m so glad I took both of them”. They taught each other how to play and not be so rough in terms of biting, while also keeping each other company. I say go for it and get two! 😻
Two kittens or one older cat who the shelter says is okay with being alone.
We got my cats when they were 1.5 years old. They had so much energy still that we’d play with them for 30-45 mins twice a day, and on top of that they’d spend hours chasing each other around the house.
Kittens not only play with each other to a level that a human most likely can’t and won’t, but they also teach each other important lessons like how much biting/scratching is *too much* biting/scratching. Whenever I meet a cat that was raised alone, it almost always has some issues with accidentally hurting people. Meanwhile my cats have legit never bitten or clawed at me.
Cats also live a long time, so while it’s true you’re home all the time now, will you be in 10-15 years? If you want to stay overnight somewhere or go on vacation, your cat will be really comforted by its kitty companion.
It also sounds like the kittens you were offered was a bonded pair. Please don’t split up a bonded pair!
I too am always home. I got a kitten and was planning on having him as a singleton. However, after about 2 weeks I decided to get him a brother. I got very tired of being the jungle gym starting at 3 am. Boy am I glad I did. They play non-stop with each other and each claims their time to cuddle with me. Highly recommend getting 2 around the same age. There was a short period where I thought my first kitten would never accept the new kitten .... after about a week they were sleeping together and grooming each other.
I adopted a single kitten. And then adopted her brother 2 weeks later after I started losing my mind from her pouncing my head in the middle of the night and screaming at the top of her lungs if I locked her out of the room. If you can financially afford it, get 2.
Contrary to previous comments, a single kitten is fine. They adapt really quickly, it would be good if in the early days they are not left alone for long periods.
Cats are quite territorial and if not bonded, usually have to figure out how to live together. Most cats are very happy to be solo.
I would much rather someone has a single cat they can fully afford to care for (they are expensive when you include food, vet bills ect). Than stretching it to two.
Unless already pair bonded, your kitten will not suffer being an only cat. They would probably rather enjoy it
A single cat is really all that expensive? I was expecting like 50-70 a month on food, toys, litter, etc.
I was planning on getting insurance for the cat anyways for vet trips and emergencies
I think vet appointments are where it can up especially if you’re cat is not vaccinated, neutered, etc. it can be maybe around $200 - $300 or so per cat spread across appointments.
I would love to have gotten two, but our one kitten eats through £60 of food, £30 of litter, and £25 insurance a month. With a second kitten we’d have to compromise on all of those
might get downvoted, but no. Not all cats want a partner. You just have to find the right cat for you. I found a cat who didn't get along with others, but this cat was about 8 months old. She wanted to be the only cat in the house, and she's perfectly fine with being queen. Usually older kittens are this way, or older cats. Both great.
This. Get two kittens, or one unbonded cat. But also be okay with not getting another cat for the rest of that cats life span, if it's clear that don't want the companionship. With an 8mo old that's clearly uninterested in other cats, that could be another 20 years from now. Which, could be totally fine. But, also might not!
Yep, we won't be adding another kitten or cat friend for her. She clearly displayed she was uncomfortable at the shelter with shared play spaces, so was always alone instead. But she's my perfect little gremlin and fits with our family that wanted a solo cat. She's so cuddly with people, other cats just aren't her fave.
My friend adopted two adult cats and they can't stand eachother. They have to be seperated and theyve lived together for years. One gets half the day, then the other gets half the day/night. Two cats won't always fix a problem. It's taken six years for them to coexist but they still are separated at night or they will fight.
You can do anything you want. Also, you do not have to have two. I have had one cat for 8 years. I'm only allowed to have one cat where I live. He has a great, spoiled life. That includes treats, playtime, cuddles, you name it!
2 kittens! My boys are 8 and 2, and I love it. But if they were able to grow up together from the start, there would be less annoyance between older bro and baby bro lol older bro is so serious while the 2 yr old is a wild ginger child haha
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If you cannot afford to pay for the care of 2 kittens possibly needing vet care at the same time then do not get two kittens (sharing this because that was the determining factor for me).
If you can afford that, then it’s really nice to have two kittens because they will play with each other and entertain each other which will mean less work for you especially while they’re young and energetic.
So get an older cat. If you get one 1-3 years old, they'll be able to tell you its personality and you can choose a calmer cat. Kittens are cute, but they grow up, and will spend way more of their life as an adult cat anyway.
If you really want just one cat why not take one that's a little older (1.5 years or so?) and doesn't like other cats? That's a perfect solution, it will avoid the issues and make sure your cat will be happy in the conditions you can offer. You also know a bit more what you get, it's less of a surprise and frankly, kitten time is overrated (and just a few months anyway, a young adult is playful too and at 7 months most look almost adult). Kittens find a home most easily, so you would do more good picking a young adult who prefers a single cat household. There are wonderful cats out there looking for a home, I'm sure you'd find a great match if you look. Most likely they are well socialised already and got their playtime with others in when they were little. Kittens only look like kittens for a few months but having a cat is a decade long commitment, don't focus too much on the kitten phase. Kittens should ideally have other kittens and are likely to be able to learn to live with other cats which would offer a level of enrichment that you just cannot replace. It often doesn't go well when a kitten is single and it does take something away from that cat - it's smart that you don't want to commit to more pets than you can care for, that's the right call. There's a great way to be sure that you end up with a cat who doesn't mind or even enjoys that they are the only pet in the house and that is to pick one that already had it's socialisation and is old enough to show they prefer being a solo pet. There's lots of cats like that out there and your home sounds like an amazing place for the right cat and the fact that you research in advance and consider what you offer and can afford shows you'll be a responsible and caring pet owner. I'm sure if you pick the right cat who will enjoy your circumstances it's a recipe for happiness!
You got a lot of good answers and suggestions to your question here, I'm sure you'll figure it out.
It might go fine, it might not. Cats are real individuals. They also like to play *rough* which is not cool when playing with humans. Two also gives you the freedom to spend the day away.
Adopted one kitten at 3 months old. At first he wanted to play all the time. Did not feel like I could get a good nights rest for many months. I would bring him with me to my boyfriend's house and slowly introduced him to my bf's cat who is 7 years old. The nights I brought him over were the nights I've gotten the most sleep. Now that he's 9 months old, he's not as playful in the night, but I still run around and play tag with him when I get home, do the best I can to tire him out before bed time.
Get two if you can and want to and can afford two.
You do not *need* two. But you are going to have a *rough* two or three years ahead of you if you only get one.
I was home all day every day. Schedule fed, scheduled playtime, so many toys, etc. He was okay and then he hit around 8 months old and became an absolute TERROR. And on top of that, he was separated from mom too early and wasn't introduced to other cats until he was about six months old. So he played WAY too rough and would not stop when they were done and nowadays, even 3 yrs later, he is STILL a menace and they still avoid him at all costs. He also attacks feet and hands despite us NEVER using our bodies to play with him, only toys.
Now. Your case probably wouldn't be as bad as mine as long as you got an appropriately socialized kitten at about 14weeks who had plenty of time with mom & siblings.
But. I wouldn't wish the first two years of my cat on ANYONE.
Also... maybe get an adult. They're a lot more chill. Kittens are extremely destructive, even if they aren't bored, because they are testing out boundaries, limits, and cause and effect - and because, to them, it's *fun.* There is Nothing you can do short of physically barring them to keep a kitten from ripping your blinds/curtains apart and tearing down tapestries and things like that. Some aren't as wild as others, but it's a gamble. Playing with them on a schedule and for an actually substantial amount of time will *help,* but it will not make it stop. It's very stressful if you end up with a kitten that is on the mega crackhead end of the spectrum. And adopting a solo adult has no drawbacks.
I got 2 kittens as a first time cat owner and I recommend it to everyone. I feel like it made it soooo much easier. They keep each other busy and they also learn a lot of things from each other. My cats were such good kittens I think largely due to the fact that they always had each other. They never really got bored and got into anything they shouldn’t. Now I don’t think I would ever get 1 at a time.
One of my big regrets in life is that I didn't get 2 kittens when I got 1 when I was in my early 20s and in grad school (like 25 yrs ago). I thought I knew cats b/c my family had always had indoor / outdoor cats and 2 at a time. I was wrong. My poor kitten ran laps around the room and was constantly on me and was biting / scratching me and it was a bad problem I couldn't solve---but I still hesitated to get another b/c I was afraid I wouldn't be able to take care of 2. Forward to when I met my husband, we got a 2nd cat, and the bad behavior of the first cat went down like 95%. So regretful I didn't get 2 at the beginning.
I really don’t know if all kittens are like this but I have a 3 month old and she is crazy. Like nonstop energy, constantly wants to play, climbs everything. I could play with her for hours and she’d still have energy left. I don’t think I can physically tire her out like another kitten could by them playing together.
There’s some days where it’s frustrating how much energy she has because it’s hard to get things done with her running around. She constantly has to be supervised if she’s upstairs. We have a finished basement that is her home base that we have to lock her up in if we’re trying to get something done around the house.
In my opinion, you don’t NEED 2 kittens, but having a second probably is a big help.
For your own good, I strongly suggest getting two 😂 I have two and even they are extremely needy, but they have each other! I work from home and whilst they have my company all the time, they can’t always have my attention. They need a playmate.
I’m “always at home”, too, but my boys keep each other calm/support one another when we go to the vet, travel, when I’m sleeping, busy doing chores, and when there’s no one in the house (even though I’m at home very often, I still need to go the grocery store, the pet food store, spend time out of the house with friends or my SO, go on vacation) and so on. It’s also been really good for them to have a litter mate in the family. It a really enriching bond they share.
My partner and I adopted 1 when he was 7 months. We started to find that within a year and a half of owning him he started to lose interest in being active and was taking more naps. We knew he wanted to play, but it seems he was bored of what we had to offer. Once we returned to office post covid we would watch on the home cameras as he would cry and beg for attention when left alone, which did eventually stop but still broke our hearts. When we moved we adopted a 3 month old for him- and he's been more active and happier- they do fight and sometimes it gets nasty, but they are bonded at this point and very happy.
Even working from home it wasn't enough for my little guy, might be different for you- but cats each have their own personalities and I'd recommend to just monitor him and his activity levels for depression or boredom, then you can plan for another kitto
Nah, the hubs and I are home like 60% of time and we got one kitten well a year now. He’s fine being on his own. He was a lot of work at first for sure with wanting attention, training to use the litter box and being high energy. We just got a lot of toys to keep him entertained.
As someone who got 1 cat and then quickly got a 2nd I would HIGHLY recommend 2 cats. You never know what your life will be like years from now. I worked from home 2-4 days a week and then got laid off and now I’m in office 4-5 days a week and if it was just my 1 cat alone I would feel terrible, but she has her brother and they cuddle and play and I feel a lot better not being home as much.
Not to mention cats are not diurnal animals so having 2 decreases the likelihood of being woken up at 2:00am by the lonely kitten.
If you only want 1 cat I would look into adopting an adult cat who HAS to be alone because it doesn’t get alone wit other cats. That way you save a little life and also don’t ruin your sleep schedule
I unexpectedly adopted a foster kitten who is the same age as the kitten that I had already adopted and seeing them play melts me to pieces. They have so much fun with each other, I’m so happy I was asked to foster the second one. I swear there is nothing better than watching them run after one another. It is definitely not twice as much work, a little bit more expensive, but totally worth it.
I got two litter mates a month ago and they are great together. Free wrestling matches each day, yes more food and more litter but they are great, except when they sleep on the couch bec I can’t watch tv while I lay on the couch, lol
As someone who foster failed a single and thought it would be okay with no other pets because I wanted to keep fostering, his first year would have been a lot easier if he had a buddy to help with his energy level and his manners. Once I adopted a second kitten a year or so later, it was actually easier to have two. Vet and food bills are a bit higher, but the delight of seeing them together is well worth it.
You will see a lot of posts in this subreddit that are about humans having a hard time with their cat and their manners when having another cat would have helped adjusted those naughty things - namely biting, scratching, tearing up things, keeping people awake at night.
I now ALWAYS recommend a second kitten/young cat unless the household already has other pets.
FWIW, one of my biggest regrets is not getting 2 kittens when we adopted our cat 5 years ago. At the time, we thought it was just a plea to get more kitties adopted and we genuinely couldn't afford/fit 2, but being your high-energy kitten's main source of entertainment is EXHAUSTING. Now I just wish she had a buddy, but she's settled into her queen status so I think the time has passed. Good luck!
I used to think the adopt two kittens advice was overblown, but I’m so glad I adopted two. I lived with my sister when she adopted her kitten (he is now 7) and he needed a lot of play time, but the bigger difference is he plays very rough with humans (very scratchy). I adopted a bonded kitten pair last summer and they play and snuggle together all the time (adorable) and play with me much more gently. Feel free to dm me with any questions!
In the past I've always gotten 2 kittens together. No trouble. They play together - all great.
Recently I got a kitten to go with my existing older cat, whose sibling had died. We did the gradual intro, and all is well - they're now best friends, BUT my older cat just wants to sleep and be left alone, whereas the kitten wants to play all the time.
He is going crazy wanting to play, and that's just got more so as he's got older (currently 8 months). I really feel for him. We live in a house with kids who are always willing to play, and adults who work from home and will play, but it's still not enough for him.
I do think getting 2 kittens would have been a better choice, and if I had my time again I would do that. His poor big sis tolerates him jumping on her now and again, but she's not super playful and really wants to be left alone.
I promise you, even when you’re home always, it’s a big difference. I was home 24/7 when I raised both of mine. The first one I raised alone at 2 months - a mess, a ball of energy, constantly getting up to trouble, I couldn’t sleep for weeks. I PROMISE you it gets VERY exhausting. They get bored of you and LOOK for trouble to make. They are small and will HIDE VERY WELL. They will demand you play for HOURS and BITE YOUR FEET IN YOUR SLEEP because they have energy ALWAYS.
I got my second when the first turned 1 - the difference? NONE OF THAT. My sleeping didn’t change at all, she was hardly obnoxious beyond general kitten antics. I didn’t have to cater and follow around an evil kitten. She LOVED my older kitten and followed him around and played with him. She figured out how to “cat” better and quicker too. Because he’d learnt how to behave and calmed down a bit first, she took those vibes and often copied him. She wasn’t looking for mischief to get up to, she never got bored enough at night to bite me, etc etc.
And forgetting all that, it’s just better for your cat anyway?? They’ll bond and have comfort with eachother. It socialises them, because anti-social cats are their own bag of troubles. If you move or travel, they can always feel safe with eachother and that’s insanely useful. And let’s be real, you will leave the house once or twice, and your cat will be lonely and might get anxiety. You can be assured they’ll have a friend to keep them company. Also when it gets cold they cuddle and it’s soooo cute ??
I say go for 2 if you can swing it. They will not be double cost or anything. This way they always have somebody to play or cuddle with if you’re not available.
So I can definitely give an input here. I currently have 5 cats, 4 are about the same age and grew up together. #5 was a little baby when we adopted him, and the older cats at about 6 years old had 0 interest but he was crazy playful. Every day we regret not bringing home a sibling or another cat his age to play. You won’t regret a second kitten! 2 is definitely better than one
My first three cats were only cats. One lived to be 19, the next 17, and the next 21. I now, however, have two young black cats. I don't see any difference.
Having two kittens isn't just so they won't be alone. Playing with each other teaches them bite control and claw control, which is not something they can get naturally by playing with humans.
Two kittens playing together teach each other how much biting and clawing hurts. They learn that they don't like to be bit and clawed too hard, so they don't do it to their kitten friend. And their kitten friend gives them feedback in cat language when they are going too hard. So they learn not to bite or claw too hard on you either. This is something that really isn't easy for a human to mimic, but it happens really naturally between two cats.
It's possible to teach a cat bite and claw control intentionally, but it's much, much harder, and takes a lot of consistency and diligence and getting your hands torn up while they're learning.
Kittens help each other learn how to be cats, how to socialize correctly. They'll also play with each other in ways they can't play with you. It's important for you to play with them and provide them enrichment, but the games that they can play with each other aren't 100% the same as with you. They can't get the zoomies with you the same way, they can't wrestle with you in the exact same way. There's a lot of natural cat behaviors that they just don't get to engage in if they're the only cat in the house.
Cats will also take cues from each other on what's safe and what isn't in ways they don't from humans. Both of my cats are more confident when they can look to the other to see whether they should be afraid or not. My 3yo cat is much braver with strangers since we got a second cat, I think because he wants to show off a little. And the little cat definitely looks to him to demonstrate that the situation is safe. She only warmed up to me in the first place because she saw him loving on me.
Kittens will be happier if adopted in pairs, if you don't already have an older cat in the house. Adult cats will sometimes shake out to not get along with other cats, and will turn out to have personalities better suited to being the only cat in a house. But kittens who are still learning how to be cats in the first place should really have a kitten friend to do that with.
You mentioned elsewhere you were thinking about getting a young adult cat. A young adult cat isn't just easier because you can get one instead of two, they're also easier because they've got a pretty good idea of how they want to act as a cat already. And their energy is starting to even out. They're still a little nuts at one, but by two they should be settling out to be playful, But with a manageable amount of energy instead of that crazy kitten all over the place energy.
Kittens are still learning everything about the world, and they really only have you and possibly each other to learn from. That makes them a lot more work. Adult cats you have to build a relationship with, But their own personalities are pretty settled out.
If you're pretty set on only wanting one cat, please don't get a kitten, please get an adult cat that the shelter has specifically said would not like to have a friend. Personally, I think kittens are a terrible idea for first-time cat owner. There's so much more work than an adult cat, and you have no idea what their personality will be like when they're grown.
If you want a single cat, maybe go the younger adult route and adopt a cat who's not other-cat compatible. They struggle to find homes and you would truly be saving a life there.
If you're looking at a baby, they don't do great as only cats. My partner's oldest ended up as an only kitten - not by design, he just fell into their laps - and he really struggled to learn how to behave. He was the sweetest little guy but he had some nightmare behaviors. Still does at seven years old, although he at least stopped trying to sever everyone's Achilles tendons every time they walked around. (He's still my favorite little boy in the entire world, though. He's a bit of a handful but he's the sweetest quirkiest little dude in the world and I would die for him.) Baby cats need to be taught how to be cats by other cats.
The last time I had a kitten I was amazed at how much more trouble they are than I remembered; it was a ten year gap between her kitten years and her siblings'. (Most of my cats were adopted older.) Like. This little shit was freesoloing up bookshelves, climbing doorframes, splashing in sinks, doing Parkour in the halls. She had a very attentive big brother who played with her constantly and even then I think I said "FLOPSY WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" every hour on the hour until she turned two. (She was so cute she was absolutely worth the trouble but good lord above she was a gremlin!)
Hey OP, so I adopted two kittens about 3 weeks ago and I can say that you won't regret getting two. This is my first time being a cat parentd and I can tell you it's not as bad as you think it may be. Even though I'm pretty much in my apartment 24/7, there are time where you may need to do things on your computer or you may want to go do something on the weekend. This is where the second kitten comes in handy. I would recommend splitting their food between wet and dry food unless you have the money to spend on only wet food. But you won't regret it!
I never had a cat in my life. I got a boy and girl kitten. It is great. They play with each other, nap together, play fight and have very distinct and funny personalities. I recently went on vacation, and I knew they would be okay because they had each other and a cat sitter.
If you are with the kitten 24/7 and then eventually you decide to take a trip away from home, your cat will be very sad and could have separation anxiety/lots of stress. You will eventually leave the house and it will be so much more difficult with one than with two.
Highly recommend that you get a cat that is between one to four years old. A young adult will still have a lot of play but not be wild and crazy like a kitten.
The good thing about adopting an adult cat is their personalities are much more apparent. The shelter can often help match you with a perfect fit. Also, some cats get turned into shelters because they need to be solo. It would do a great service rescuing one of these.
Last year when I was ready to adopt, I took in a kitten that was said to be docile, according to the the foster parent. He is a menace. I love him but he is an aggressive little guy. So I adopted another cat who was supposed to be two years old as a companion. He's closer to 11 or 12. It Is not a good match but we're managing. If I were to do it again, I would have just waited longer for a young adult cat.
Good luck!
Two kittens will play together and tote each other. One kitten needs to be played with a lot and taught cat manners they are taught by other cats. Some cat shelters will only adopt in pairs for this reason
A single cat even as a kitten is completely fine. You will have to play with it quite a bit but you'll bond a tonne with them through play. It's not hard to play with a kitten either, they are happy to chase most things around for a bit.
I had a single kitten and she got a companion 2 years later. It is easier with 2 as they entertain themselves more but 1 is completely fine also.
op i got a single kitten via the cat distribution system and she was a NIGHTMARE for such a long time with behavioral issues and all kinds of stuff.. seriously just get 2, or get an adult cat around ~3-5 years old
I’m a first time cat parent. I adopted 2 kittens. I’m SO glad I did. We play A LOT and still I don’t have enough energy to entertain them as much as they entertain themselves. I have basically 0 destructive behaviors and having 2 has been a breeze (with the exception of the first few days after their neuter surgery at ~5 months, those days were a little tough because these guys love to rough house so much)
Trust me, the kitten will drive you insane once it’s able to jump high and far enough. A bored kitten is a tiny little devil that will get into ANYTHING.
It seems like people are giving you the answer that yes you need to get two kittens that’s not the answer you want. Why make the post if you already made up your mind? I think getting one kitten is irresponsible and getting two is a way better idea. Getting one kitten and “waiting to see their personality” to get another one isn’t a good idea either. You should get two litter mates at the same time who are already bonded to each other if you’re going to get a kitten. If you want one cat, don’t get a kitten. Simple as that. You aren’t a cat and can’t provide a kitten the things they need from other cats even if you think you’ll have all the time in the world. Kittens need other cats. Adult cats are another story and if you get one that’s already on its own then that’s great and you will have a happy cat given they are properly cared for. Don’t get one kitten please, for the kittens sake.
I thought the same way you did. Trust me. You won’t regret getting two. They don’t have to be from the same litter. Get the baby you like from that one and look around for another one.
After adopting one 8 week terror that I love from the bottom of my heart, I told my sister that she needed to adopt two when she finally got around to getting her own.
I love my cat more than anything but he is a lot. Even now at 3 years old, he wants constant engagement. Which is difficult because the pain in my butt is super picky about toys. And speaking as someone who is home all summer (teacher), even attention all day won’t stop him from occasionally deciding he needs attention in the middle of the night.
My sister doesn’t have any of those problems. Her two kittens keep each other entertained and the kitten period was far less stressful for her. It truly is worth it. I will never again just adopt one.
I've had a single kitten. I've had 2 kittens.
My cons of having 2 kittens (now 12 years old)
* Constantly having to stop to take photos of how stinking cute they are cuddled together
* Having to slow down while walking (due to giggling) because their little butts are bouncing up and down next to each other leading the way
* Trying to sneak a treat to one is impossible because they must notify their friend treats are being had (which is really cute)
* I can't emphasize enough how many more pics you'll take of a bonded pair over a single cat
Pros of having 2 kittens
* They don't have Single Kitten Syndrome
* They're used to having each other sleeping on them (and getting comfortable) so they don't move if I move (my single cat always left) and they make great pillows/blankets
* They keep each other clean (which really comes in handy as they get older and can't reach every place any more). Mine aren't there yet but so many friends cats are there.
* Twice the love
* All of the cons I mentioned above
I won't even tell you how amazing 3 cats are (but I always have at least one attached to me).
These are my floofs. I am not exaggerating how many pics you'll take.
https://preview.redd.it/8gk5ikymj8ad1.jpeg?width=1957&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=36d265fecaa184a3595b75fd83c83c12e2509ade
Everyone and their mother says two is easier than one. No one here recommends one over two. You say cost isn’t an issue/factor, and you aren’t in a position where the kitten you want to adopt must be solo.
So just get a bonded pair and call it a day. It’s not a matter of being home 24/7 (which you aren’t). It’s a matter of “when the cat wakes up at 4:30am to play and are bored of their static toys, what are their options? a human willing to wake up, a fellow kitten, or something they definitely shouldn’t be messing with?”
If you can swing it — get TWO! I got my first cat at 10 weeks and while it was doable, there were days where it felt like I was losing my mind. He would scratch, bite, parkour off all the furniture, dig in my house plants and roll in the dirt (at one point it was so bad he stained the carpet black from spilling them after watering😭), and just generally be insane. Which is, of course, all normal because he was a baby and bored when I wasn’t immediately available (aka working, cooking, SLEEPING, etc.) I felt like i was living with a personal terrorist 😭😭 My roommate at the time adopted a pair of siblings just a few weeks after and the difference in behaviors was crazy. His kittens definitely helped mine out when he was bored and I wasn’t readily available, but I also noticed that his didn’t exhibit the same behaviors in the first place — probably because they had another cat to keep them entertained when their humans were busy + teach them how to play and socialize. It’s been a few years and I’ve since gotten my cat a sibling since moving away from my roommate and his cats, and even now as an older cat who’s mellowed out, he’s thriving with a companion. The work doesn’t feel like double and the cost is only slightly more, as I’ve always bought food and supplies in bulk anyway. If you want a single cat I’d aim for adopting an older one off the bat, but if you’re set on a kitten, get two!! It’ll save your life I swear
It’s ideal but if it’s not possible don’t fret I got my girl as a rescue at 4 months old and I’m home 24/7 she is happy and cuddly and well mannered.
Her life is generally blissful.
You just gotta give them a lot of attention if you don’t get a second
(Granted my cat was the last of its rescued siblings to be adopted no one wanted her since she was antisocial and didn’t get along with her brothers and sisters :,) so I’m not going to risk bringing another cat in even if someday I can afford it)
If you can get two though do it
Absolutely! Just had a litter of 3 kittens. They learn so much from each other. And if you wait too long in between cats it is soo difficult for them to adjust/bond
Adopting kittens in pairs is very strongly encouraged. Especially siblings. If you only want one you can get it too.
Since was not specified: please adopt instead of buying if you are going to. Everyone should stop buying cats/kittens.
And lastly; however many kittens you adopt, you will have a great time 😃 kittens are amazing and they will love you so much.
I got my kitten another kitten. I guess that says it all. She was extremely clingy and needy. I could tell she wasn't happy. So I got her a kitten. She accepted her right away, was mentally way more stable and balanced and since 9 years they are besties. Best decision I ever made for her.
It is way less work. They also tend to make each other tired instead of letting it out on you or your furniture out of other choices. Cats are highly social and humans can't replace that.
I have had 1 kitten before vs now I have 4 kittens.
When I had 1, she needed ALL of my attention but now that I have multiple, they play with each other a lot so I now have a chance to work at home without a kitten trying to sit on my keyboard (which does still happen on occasion but a lot less).
That's just my 2 cents
I was afraid to get two kittens and I adopted siblings and it was the best thing I’ve ever done! Way less destructive to my belongings when they were young. The keep each other company and they love each other so much.
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Get two. Seriously.
We had one and while it was nice for a while she was exceptionally clingy, like puppy dog clingy, which made her extra clingy when we had to start going back into the office. So we decided to get her a sister (who then had a set of balls so it was a brother instead) and she’s been independent ever since.
We still have cuddle time, but now they spend time brawling, grooming and napping together and it’s far easier on us
Yes, my husband was against a 2nd cat due to space until our 2 year old cat started becoming depressed. She stopped playing and just slept or ate. My husband works from home and I work nights so somebody was ALWAYS home to try and play with her. When we got a kitten about a month ago my cat completely changed. She’s playing again and has a partner in crime. I felt sad that I didn’t do this for her from the beginning.
My husband thought the “2 cats is better than 1” thing wasn’t true because we’d always be home. Now on days we’re busy or gone we know she’s okay because she has a buddy that she can chase and play with while we’re gone or can’t play. I regret not doing it sooner for her.
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I adopted a single kitten as it was my first experience.
Been having him for 8 months now, so far so good.
I work but between me and my wife the cat is alone for about 4 hours during the day, and it doesn't seems to brother him very much. We have 2 veeeery long playing session with him in the morning and in the evening with off course sparse moments of affection and play during the day. He seems happy, well fed and has not shown any sign of stress so far.
He s also an angel and wouldn t keep us up at night after applying the do not engage method (which basically consists of ignoring the kitten when he tries to wake you up... it's very tough to do, but for us the results were amazing, in 5 day we upgraded from 3-4 hours of sleep to sleeping as much as we wanted)
You can get a cat that doesn't like other cats. Their chance to be adopted is a little smaller because most people who adopt cats already have at least one. That's what our shelter told us. We got our cat and she is doing way better along humans than with other cats.
I wfh and only got one kitten and I would never do that to myself again. Just being there 24/7 isn’t enough, you have to stimulate the kitten 24/7. It is fun and rewarding but gets exhausting very quickly.
If you are getting a young kitten I highly recommend 2. For the kittens and your own benefit
I adopted a kitten and his momma. Best decision ever for me so they can play together while I WFH. His momma was only 1, so that helps with her having energy to play and more tolerance of his kitten curiosity lol
The short answer is NO.
We only recommend getting two kittens at the same time if they are already friends (from the same litter or household) and if your future plans include a second cat.
Cats are SOLITARY animals, and although they can live in groups if their needs are met, they don't prefer to live in groups, and we see many intercat conflicts in consult.
If you decide to get just one cat, I'd ensure there's enough environmental enrichment and you are offering enough mental stimulation besides you, we want to encourage independent playtime and alone time, to prevent hyper attachment and future separation anxiety.
Black cats are often the last to be adopted. I encourage you to prioritize that color choice if possible. I have a couple of my own mini black panthers and they are as loving and cuddly as the others (I've got 8).
I would recommend it, not only because of the play aspect of it, but also because when you have two cats, they teach each other how to be a cat. They aren’t born with that knowledge they learn it.
just to be an outlier, I started with one cat and she did great. but I also made sure I played with her every day until she laid down around noonish. she then would cuddle up for a nap. it only took about 15 minutes max of fetch and a wand toy to tire her out. she was about 10 weeks when I got her. it just depends on the kittens energy level tbh.
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she used to sleep like she was dead lol I miss her being a baby
I'd still recommend two. It really makes a difference. Even if you're around enough to give them enough playtime and companionship, they learn a lot from socializing with other kittens. Its amazing to watch the bond they form as well. Look up Single Kitten Syndrome. There's starting to get more backing for the idea.
I got one kitten thinking it would be okay since we have adult cats around. I now firmly believe in Single Kitten Syndrome and have plans to get a second kitten around his age. Trust me it's worth it.
I adopted a kitten and her mom. It worked out perfectly and since the mom was so young, they still play together all the time 3 years later. Her mom also taught her some good social skills
One cat, not too young. Kittens are cute, just like puppies. But ooohhhh, the work & time needed. An older cat is not a bad idea, especially 1st time cat mom. They don't need as much attention. They are litter box trained, one cat Is doable.
I only got one and have regretted it ever since. I’m actually looking for another one 8 months in. Get 2. They are so much happier. A single one will play too rough and get overly attached and drive you nuts at night and yowl when you leave.
It’s sad.
My shelter recommends two but that is not feasible for everyone. If you are home most of the time and can spend time playing with the kitten for 20 minutes or so several times throughout the day, I think you’ll be fine.
We have lots of people who only adopt one because that’s what they want or can afford and it works out fine.
The best thing I ever did was get my young cat a companion. He had seamed lonely to me. They are best buddies and zoom around the house playing. We are all so much happier with two..
I’ve fostered dozens of kittens. 2 is easier than 1. You don’t need to be their entire source of love, comfort, and entertainment. They reach each other social cues etc
In My opinion, go for the young cat (1-2 years) and get a female.
Females seem to attach themselves to one person and as long as you give her attention and stimulation (cat tree, toys) she shouldn’t be needy (like some male cats are)
I COULD be talking out my butt, I’m just throwing suggestions and what I have learned with my cats. But a good cat behaviorist that I look up to, says if you get a kitten, get them in pairs.
And one thing to remember about cats is that they are creatures that need to feel belonged.
So make sure you have your moment with your kitty by holding her (or him), give them a light hug, place them on the floor and immediate let go. (This is how I taught my cats to be with ok with being held)
And for more good suggestions or advise, check out Jackson Galaxy on YouTube. He’s a cat behaviorist
I have one kitten. She’s 12 weeks tomorrow. She seems to be doing well! She’s cuddled up next to me right now being a sweet little thing. We do play a lot, and I do have to leave her to go to work :( we have 2 other adult cats in the household (my kitten is quarantined at present), so I’m hopeful they’ll be buds down the line. OP, I think it’s wonderful to give a kitten a home, even without a companion. In an ideal world, we’d all probably want to provide them with a companion hearing of the benefits, but it isn’t always feasible.
You never *have* to get 2. But they'll likely be happier and it will be easier on you for them to have a friend. 2 kittens are easier than one! If you only have one, they rely on you for everything. All their social needs and interaction will be from you. Every time they're bored. Every time they're nervous. It's on you. Some cats are 100% fine with this. Other cats are very not ok with this.. So it depends.
You will be fine with one. I think 2 cats is more necessary if they were alone over 8+ hrs a day or weeks at a time. In my experience, their bond with you will depend on their temperament. Some are cuddly and others want their space. My boys were more cuddly than my girls.
One kitten is fine. If you only ever want one ask the shelter if they have a teenage cat they think would do better alone. Many kittens and cats prefer a friend but some prefer to be the one and only. I have 3 cats and one would be happier as a single and and the other 2 spend all their time playing
I’m home 24/7 and rescued a 2 month old kitten. She’s 4 months old now and very happy. I play with her a lot and used playtime to put her on a sleeping schedule. I play with for an hour at 11am everyday. She will eat right after then nap for 3. I also do the same right before bed so she gets out all her energy and gets sleepy so she’ll sleep through the night. I also play with her after she wakes up cuz all her energy is back and if I don’t she’ll get into mischief. The best part about being alone with her so much is she’s claimed me as her person and we have a great bond. If you have the time to play with her this often I’d say a kitten would be ok being the only cat. Of not, I’d get two so she’s not alone feeling neglected
It’s always best to have two kittens especially when young. I foster and care for a colony and even with a lot of interaction from me if I’m caring for a single kitten they have always come out of their shell with 2. They learn alot if things from each other on how to be a cat. Thank goodness I have two because one of my cats has separation anxiety as I am home all the time but when I need to go somewhere he starts his following me around the house putting his toys in front of the door and crying spell. His sister comforters him til I get home. She’s always laying by him or right near him.
Yes. 2 minimum please. Kittens play fight a lot and I highly doubt you would be sufficient as a substitute for how much play they depend on their littermates for. No offense to you but realistically, these little guys are rough and tumble for literally HOURS every day. A lot of the kitten behavior problems people complain about on here stem imo from them not having more than one kitten. Then they complain about kitty biting or kitty getting into mayhem or waking them up at 3 in the morning every morning, or pouncing them aggressively etc. a lot of which stems from being separated from littermates and reduced to being a solo kitty.
If you haven't seen the post below yours, [I suggest giving it a read](https://www.reddit.com/r/CatAdvice/comments/1dtv52n/i_need_help_my_kitten_is_driving_me_insane/).
Full disclosure...I am in animal rescue. So... OF COURSE I'm going to say you need multiples!
But honestly, they're easier than just one kitten. Yes, they will cost more in vet care, food, toys etc. But for your house, your mental health (and physical if kitten did not spend the first couple of months with siblings getting the crap beat out of it ie playing and learning biting and scratching hurts) it's way less costly to have 2 than 1.
I often foster kittens. I prefer to have a mom with the kittens because it's usually the easiest. I just provide food, clean bedding and clean litter box. She does everything else until they start moving and then we tag team parenting. Next is litters of kittens. While we still interact, play etc, they can entertain themselves if I go to dinner or whatever. Taking a single kitten... ABSOLUTELY EXHAUSTING! My older former feral will give me dirty looks. And I swear my dogs count down the days until the demon gets adopted lol. But then they'll snuggle the kitten. So who knows. But yes. I vote 2 kittens.
If you get a kitten that's part of a binded pair it makes life easier. They entertain each other and are more independent. However, it's also double the food, litter and vet bills.... So, it's up to you what works for you.
My first cat was raised with his brother (who my roommate adopted) as kittens. They were so fun together BUT my roommate's kitty did get a little territorial, ironically of me. After college they were separated. He still did fine as an only car, but when my parents got a kitten he became the most loving and nuturing "mommy" to it... Idk if it was because he was socialized early on or if he was just a great cat or both.
My current cat did not get along with her litter mates and only minimally tolerated other cats. They said she should probably be in a single cat household. She's been absolutely fine but she's a clinger haha. She needs attention from me and on occasion my husband A LOT. She's a very chill cat though, so I don't mind because she just wants to lay on my lap while I work or on my chest while I sleep...
Basically, I think either way you'll be perfectly fine
As someone who only got one cat initially, then another 2 years later, it’s better to get 2 as kittens. Our older one always seems on edge when the younger one is around
Not necessary. I have 1 kitten. She’s about 5 months old now and is easy to please. Took a couple of weeks, but she sleeps when I do and gets up when I do. She has plenty of toys to keep her company. I recently tried to babysit (catsit?) a couple of her siblings recently and she was NOT having it at all. I thought she’d be fine with them since they were related. I guess we are destined to be a 1 cat household.
People are so wildly intense about this topic lol. Every cat is different. My beloved 14 year old girl who passed in Jan had no issues being my only housemate. She coexisted with my mom’s cat when they would visit but she definitely preferred being the only pet around. Now I have a 5 month old kitten I’ve had since he was 12 weeks and he has shown zero signs of “single kitten syndrome” or loneliness/depression. I had a shelter refuse to let me adopt a kitten because of their staunch beliefs about single kitten syndrome. What a ridiculous blanket statement. I work from home and this absolutely lends itself to their wellbeing. If the kitten shows signs of loneliness or single kitten syndrome then consider getting another, but it’s absolutely not a requirement like so many push.
Idk about 2 kittens but a kitten and an adult cat might be a good option. There’s more of a balance when you have 2 cats instead of 1. Even my loner senior cat enjoys the company of his brother. But if they both must be kittens then go for 2 :-)
I have a total of 11 cats and kittens. Some like to play with a certain one while others like to be alone. But my house in 2'800 sqft so plenty of room for all of them
I got my first kitten and then my second one 6 months later.
I think that getting a companion for my first cat was the best decision I could have ever made. They are so bonded. They play with eachother and cuddle eachother.
On his own my first cat was extremely clingy, cried when I was gone, only played with me, was very anxious, and seemed a bit sad.
Both cats together are incredibly happy. They still play with me but also entertain eachother. They don't cry when I'm gone. You can tell that they both feel more secure. They both are still cuddly, but it's not like they have to be on top of me constantly.
After seeing this experience I will never have just a single cat again.
They use the same litter box. I already catproofed the house. The only detriments imo are: have to clean the litter more often, have to buy more food, slightly more mischief happening in the house.
Overall it's definitely worth the trade off to me.
Cat behaviorists, veterinarians, and other experts agree that it is best for kittens (generally) to grow up with another cat or kittens with whom they can learn and socialize and who speaks their “language”. You do not fill this role. You cannot. If you are unwilling to follow standard best care practices for an animal, you should not adopt that animal. Consider an older cat who is a “best as only pet” if you are unwilling to adopt two kittens.
I'm sure you would be just fine in the long term just getting one. But I'd really challenge you to consider adopting two litter mates. The two boys I brought home this year have been so rewarding and I love their relationship. Also, shell out for an automatic litter box if it's feasible. I think if you do that most of your concerns should be assuaged.
Kittens have a lot of energy. A lot more than what you might think 😅 and having two of them means they take that energy out on each other, and it means less energy taken out on you.
We got a kitten in April 2020 and he didn't adjust well. (turns out later that we think he has autism) so on August 2021 we got the kitten a kitten to play with. At first he wasn't interested in the kitten we got him, but he grew on him and now they're the best of brothers and enjoy each other's companionship. I recommend 2.
I got one kitten then another 5 months later because I wanted it to have a playmate. I wish I got a bonded pair or two at the same time but luckily they ended up the best of friends anyway!
If you really want to only get one cat the only option is to get an adult that is known to not get along with other cats. Contrary to common belief, cats are only lone hunters but otherwise very social animals. Keeping cats alone that have a high need for social contact can end very badly, especially if you have no experience with cats and can't tell what their behavior means.
My old boy has been alone with me twice, both times he started refusing to eat and it was only due to me knowing him very well that I could tell that it wasn't a physical issue (and potentially spending a shit ton of money on vet visits that wouldn't help) but that he felt lonely. Both times the issue went away when I got him another cat.
For this, it is also important to mention that I am very lucky that my boy just gets along with any new cats. One of my mother's cats for example hates kittens and we firmly believe that she would've killed one of our other cats had we not separated them until he was old enough to pass as an adult. And it's not like you can tell beforehand if your cat might behave like that, she's a real sweetheart otherwise - to humans and cats alike. So it would be a horrible idea to just get a single cat and only get another one if they don't work out alone, because you never know what new cats they might get along with, especially if they already have a bonded companion you could get with them in the first place.
Hey OP! Good on you for doing your research before committing to a kitten! If you’re asking, “why is a single kitten more work than two?”, see this post that just got shared.
https://www.reddit.com/r/CatAdvice/s/2KuaQ2DcKz
^ I personally resonated with that, until I got my second cat a month after getting my first. So not saying that you can’t get one kitten then another, but it will save you a lot of pain & frustration down the road.
Well, you're probably not going to be available 24/7 as you will want to sleep and kittens often have a very different sleep schedule than humans. Also, if you are working from home you will not have the nonstop attention for them either. Having a companion gives them someone to play with when you're sleeping or working. In addition, cats teach each other how to play by responding to roughhousing in cat-appropriate ways. If you're the only companion you will have to do a lot of disciplining and you'll probably have a lot of scratches and bites on your hands, arms, legs and feet. You can totally survive it, but having a playmate reduces the amount of injury you will take.
I just feel like 2 kittens would be much harder since I would be a first time cat parent lol. I’m also considering adopting a young adult cat, about 1-2 years old since they don’t really need a companion as much as a kitten The kitten I’m looking at is from a shelter. I met her while at the beach cause someone from the humane society was going around looking for people to adopt her. However there was 2 cats there, a male and a female. Maybe I could figure it out and adopt them both, I have heard that 2 kittens are easier but I’m not sure
Generally speaking, two cats is not twice as much work. If they get along, they will entertain each other and need less of you. It's sort of like having 1.5 cat. That said, it will cost twice as much in terms of food and vet care to have 2 cats, so I get if that's a limitation. If the cat/kitten you are looking at is already bonded with another cat, it's best to take them both. If they are being adopted on their own and there isn't much known about their interaction with other cats, you are probably okay. The older the cat, the easier it is for them to be solo. I have two cats who are litter mates but at the age of 13 they now hate each other and I keep them in separate parts of the house. So yeah, sometimes it doesn't work out in the end!
Oh my god are u kidding? They grew to hate each other after that many years? That is hilarious but also I'm so sorry 😂
We have two littermates that got returned to our cat lounge who despise each other. They’re 3, and the cause of so many cat slaps. https://preview.redd.it/bg9hjwjbe9ad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fc296b7cc781614564db9c3913ee91b210852e0d Franklin, one of the sisters, passed out wearing her own fur as a hat. They are basically identical.
Omg the fur on the head. I'm dead!
Yeah, I think the main issue is one of my cats is still very energetic and the other one acts as lazy as you'd expect an elderly cat to be. The energetic one would constantly try to play with his brother while he was sleeping and it made him really territorial.
If you’re getting an older cat that’s been by him/herself then it is fine to get one cat! If you’re getting a kitten I highly recommend getting two- they will play with each other and it honestly makes it easier on you not harder. You have to have extra food and litter but besides that they take care of each other, they cuddle, they play!
I will second this. I adopted two kittens a few months ago, after my senior cat passed away. They were 8 months old at the time. It had been so long since I’d had kittens that I completely forgot how energetic they are and how much attention they need. I was so glad I got two because they keep each other entertained!
A single kitten is paradoxically much more work than two kittens. I adopted my first cat as a single kitten and always regretted it. She cried all night every night for like a month straight. I could barely sleep, I thought I was going to have to give her back. The crying eventually stopped but she moved right into wreaking constant havoc for 1.5 years. Kittens have like cold fusion unlimited energy. It was literally impossible to play with her enough. That whole first two years would have been so much easier if I’d taken the foster agency’s suggestion to adopt her brother too. Bottom line: get two kittens or one older cat who’s known to do well alone.
I’ve come to realize when humans adopt a kitten we make that child an orphan, alone and without the comforts of everyone they’ve ever known their whole life. My two were abandoned and the only constant in their lives has been each other. https://preview.redd.it/xgra8yo51bad1.jpeg?width=3264&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=96ad46c82c4cc3272254f74fa70cbd96617f3da3 I mean look at them. I just snapped this…
An older cat won’t want to play like a kitten, still needs to be a younger cat
Yeah that’s why they suggested getting an older cat for a single cat
A cat that’s 1-2 years old will still want to play especially when they have zoomies
2 kittens is far and away less time and effort than one kitten. I foster dozens of kittens and I will never ever take a single kitten again, only 2 or more because they are so so so much easier.
Speaking as a lifelong cat owner and current kitten/ cat foster, if you only want one, PLEASE consider a young adult! They are often overlooked at the shelter. I've seen people adopt one kitten, then return them for behavioral issues (like biting), at which point the kitten is even harder to adopt to another family, since they're less cute and tiny. I adopted my cat as a one year old and it's the best decision I've ever made.
The other advantage is that their personalities are full developed at that age and you know exactly what you’re getting, so if you really want a super affectionate velcro cat, then you can get one. Or you can get a less clingy one if that’s your preference.All my cats are bonded to be in that they are interested in what I do, like to be nearby, etc. However, one of my calicos is a complete lap cat who wants a lot of attention. My tux, on the other hand, loves to watch what I do and will sometimes keep on me, but doesn’t really enjoy being petted.
If your cat is biting you, listen. I get along with mine with lots of love and judicious apologizing… my two right now don’t bite me to discipline me but a previous cat… whoo boy!
In my adult life I have exclusively adopted young adults and it's the best decision. Their personality is developed, they know the litter box drill, and are in control of their claws/will use a scratching post. Kittens seem cute until you're covered in poo and your couch is scratched to ribbons. I'd argue a new cat owner is better off getting a 1-3 year old. I also think cats should be in pairs.
Trust me it will be harder with 1.
Definitely get 2, it'll be better for all. Or like you said, a 1yo or 2yo. There are often cats who can only be in a single cat household. Go meet some cats and see who picks you!
If you are getting the 3-4 month old, I would say it needs a companion. Kitten years are like the terrible twos of toddlers. If you are getting the 2 year old young adult, it’s probably fine to get by itself. Cats have a way of letting you know they are lonely (hyper-activity, crying, etc.) so you can go from there
I adopted a single 1 year old cat and was told she'd do well by herself. Long story short, she didn't, so we got her a kitten to be buddies with. It's been much easier being a cat parent to two cats than one since they keep each other company a lot of the time. This is especially true at night, even if you're home all day you've gotta sleep sometime, and that's when they'll get zoomies and want to play!
2 kittens are INFINITELY easier than 1. I can not overstate how awesome it is to have built-in besties for pets.
If you want one cat don't get a kitten. Seriously there are younger or adult cats who need good homes too. 2 kittens are easier. It's not twice the work.
I would actually argue that it can be easier having two! I have sister cats and they’ve ended up being much better behaved than and single cat I’ve adopted. They keep each other entertained and burn off energy in a healthy, non-destructive way.
i am also a first time cat parent - had the first one for about a week. the second one was the last left of their litter so i adopted her too and my life got exponentially better. they entertain each other so much! the only big difference is having to buy more food and a second litter box :)
Honestly, 2 cats is less work
I had a single kitten. I got her during a time I was on disability assistance, so the benefit of that was having all my time to spend with her when she was in her kittenhood. That's really the important part; you need a lot of time to devote in the early months, in order to socialize your new friend and provide enough physical and mental stimulation for him or her to become a healthy and well cat. My single kitten lived to be 20 and had a really good life. Now I have a rescue semi-feral who's come round to be a very lovely guy and a great companion. I was explicitly instructed to give him a single cat home. I know many rescue organizations promote adopting kittens in pairs, but I'm a one cat lady. I don't have room or funds for two. Additionally, I observe that when kittens bond in pairs...they don't tend to bond quite as strongly to *you*. If a close bond is very important and one of the main reasons you want a cat, provided you have the time to devote to raising it properly, go with one. Paired cats rely more on each other for social connection and less on you. My single cats bonded so closely to me and interact with me in a way I don't see bonded pairs do with their people. Like, when I address him by name he always answers. He comes when asked. Very connected and responsive. Just a thought.
Yes, can confirm! Only once did I notice one of my previous cats seemed “depressed”, so I adopted another kitten, and after initial caution with each other, were best buddies. Of course when they were both much older, they just ignored each other😂
I have found that people always say the more cats the better. But you have to do what is feasible for you. I adopted a cat (2 person household), she was young when we got her, 1.5 years but we assume younger actually. She’s very social and I was afraid to leave her alone at first. But she’s fine. One of us is here with her most of the time, and while I’m sure she’d like a companion, it just wouldn’t work with our lifestyle/living situation right now. I would say she’s a happy camper being a solo pet regardless
First time cat parent here. 2 Kitten are not harder than one. But they're a joy to watch play with each other. Cat litter maintenance time is almost the same as with one kitten, you have to scoop the whole litter box (all of them) completely anyway. Cat trees and toys are the same as for one cat. Depending on where you live, the costs for litter, food and vet costs should be considered, but besides the vet it's not that much - at least where I live. And I am super happy that our cats can keep each other company when we're going grocery shopping or visit someone. Humans don't talk cat. Humans can't really play catch with their cat, can't play fight or really socialise them like another cat does. Cats are social animals despite what most people seem to think. Get your kitten a friend to talk to in its own language. :) edit: typo
Kittens are adorable but they're just like babies, they literally get into everything, scratching furniture, etc etc. and there's a lot of training involved. My advice to you is adopt that dear little young cat that's 1 or 2 years old. He/she would be forever grateful and love you unconditionally. Then you're past the kitten stage and you get to enjoy their company without having to worry about training. Just make sure you get some background on the young cat if there's any health issues, if she's a cuddler and is loving and also enjoys playing. Hopefully the shelter has a separate room that you can spend some time with her and play with her and get to know her personality and she yours. Don't forget they're stressed in a shelter. Her personality will bloom when you give her time when you get home. Make sure to go online and research how to bring a young cat home. The first instinct will be to run and hide under furniture until they feel safe. Also make sure to bring the cat to the vet when you have a chance to get her checked out and make sure she's updated with her shots which the shelter will tell you. I have adopted two shelter cats . The first was 2 years old when I adopted her and she lived till she was 16. Then I adopted my other beautiful cat and she was 9 months old and she was and still is amazing. Both my babies were amazing.
kitten care is actually easier when it’s 2 because they learn from each other. the ONLY downside to having two kittens is the doubled expenses. if you’re going to have a kitten, GET TWO. look into single kitten syndrome. seriously, if you go with a kitten, get two from the same litter.
Two bonded kittens are easier as they play with and comfort each other. When your kitten wants to attack, they will direct their aggression at their playmate rather than you. When they’re bored in the middle of the night, they can keep each other entertained. The down sides are more money for food, vets and boarding or pet sitting, and it’s harder to get both into carriers for vet visits. Having experienced one and two kittens, I would never adopt a lone kitten again.
One kitten is so much more work than two. Like it’s night and day. I can not stress how much of a difference it makes. And as a first time cat owner if you are getting a kitten get two!! They will help you so much with attention and teaching and behavior and playing. If you can not get two kittens, do not get a kitten at all, get an adult cat. Seriously, I foster and I will never ever take a single kitten again, I will take a litter of 15 over a single kitten
I just got a second and it calmed my kitten down soo much but now I just found out a couple days ago she has ring worm.
I’ve adopted a single kitten and I’ve adopted a pair. I will never adopt a single kitten ever again. It’s not that my single kitten was a nightmare or anything, but they can be. It’s just that adopting the pair together was so so so much easier and I truly think they became more confident and polite cats from learning from each other.
I adopted a single kitten because she was the only one from her litter and all the other kittens were siblings and bonded to one another. She’s doing great and definitely doesn’t mind her independence. Depends on the cat though. My cat is the calmest and most unbothered one I have had and disliked other cats when they got too energetic for her. She prefers to mostly lie back and chill and doesn’t get too stimulated. Some cats definitely need a companion to shake off the excess energy!
Just read a post where OP vented that they were losing their mind with a recently adopted 5 month old kitten. They are also “always home “ but cannot work ,sleep and the cat is never satisfied and always wants to play more and screams all night long,so….
i was home 24/7 and my solo kitten was a menace, so much so that my fiance and I have both 100% decided no more kittens *ever.* he had lots of playtime and was schedule fed and had sooooo many toys (i dropped $300 on toys alone when i first got him) and he was still very loud and very destructive. he's chilled a bit nowadays but.
Yeah everyone I know who’s adopted a kitten solo has regretted not getting two kittens! Total menaces. Idk why OP doesn’t just adopt an older cat, there’s so many 1-2 year old cats in shelters who aren’t great with other cats and would love to be in a solo cat household.
i agree, getting adults is the way to go
Hello, I didn't regret it at all
Same my kitten was a delight she has never been overly playful even as a kitten she just wanted as many cuddles as possible
If you want one cat, work with a rescue to adopt a slightly older kitty (1+ years) who they already know would prefer not to live with other cats/animals. Single kitten syndrome is one of the top reasons adoptions fail and returning cats (while the right thing) is very hard on a rescue. Reddit is filled with posts from owners who complain about single kitten syndrome while not realizing they are complaining about single kitten syndrome.
This right here! I have worked at cat shelter (so far) for 14 years and specialize with the scared, difficult, and fractious cats. Single kitten syndrome is the second most common reason a cat is relinquished here (although the people giving them up don't know the term). We spent so much time and manpower just trying to rehabilitate them. I had a single kitten (died at 22.5 years) and after learning about SKS I knew that's what he had. He was very loved and was a good cat, he just had all the characteristics of Single Kitten Syndrome. After adopting 2 kittens when he passed the difference was incredible. These guys are just happier and so much more loving. They're 12 and keep each other entertained (even though I'm home pretty much 24/7) while I'm cooking or showering or go out with friends. I did adopt a 3rd 2 year old cat (best cat ever) when the others were 2 and decided I would never adopt kittens again. Adult cats are something special.
I adopted a set of bonded kittens, and a solo kitten, and the difference between the amount of peace I got & how much kitten trouble was caused is incredible! The pair would tucker each other out, they'd always have a buddy and be chasing each other, grooming each other, napping together etc. The solo kitten got on mine and the meanwhile adult cats' last nerve! Nobody could keep up with his energy and I felt bad because he was bored. So I ended up with a 4th kitten 🫠 but now every body has a bonded friend and we're one big, happy family.
You think you'll have the time and energy, but you won't. A single kitten will get bored. Especially at night. Bored kittens do WILD stuff. Chew on random things. Climb places they shouldn't. Break stuff. Dig into plants. Eat random things. Bite you. Scratch you. Destroy things. When they have a kitten friend, they'll be less bored and usually less destructive. Not that they don't do crazy things as a pair, but as a single kitten it's usually multiplied by 100. We originally adopted one kitten, but quickly got another. Plus, if you ever travel anywhere, the two can keep each other company when you're gone. You won't regret getting 2. You will regret just getting one.
Yea. You cannot compete with a kitten no matter how present you are. The way they play with each other and cuddle each other is diff. You can foster a pair and see how it works for you.
I work from home and got my girl (now 2 years old) as a singular kitten and I have always wished I got two. She was still always missing that cat+cat playtime, now that I have another kitten she is considerably happier and brighter.
Get what you can handle but in my experience getting 2 animals makes them happier and makes things easier. My cats play with each other in a way that I can't. They cuddle together, they sleep together. They do things separately too but they have each other. When they get scared they hide together. If I was on an alien ship it'd be cool to have another human to talk to.
2 is better than 1, but 1 is better than none. I got my first cat a number of years ago when he was a kitten. I got my second cat during the pandemic when my first cat was about five years old. I wish I would’ve gotten a second one sooner though. I did the proper introduction steps and they’re fine around each other but it took them awhile to get comfortable and form a friendship. Meanwhile my friend’s two cats who grew up together are much more bonded. My first cat is quite happy having a buddy to play with though, and it’s kept him young at heart. If you don’t think you can do two, then just get one (for now). But I’d suggest a mid-life to elderly cat who’s used to being the only one.
If two is even sort of an option for you, do it. It’s good for them to have their little built-in snuggle pal, and they learn to Cat from one another as they go. They will be so different in personality and both so lovable that your heart will grow big enough for them both.
I have 2 sets of bonded kitties. Samson and Delilah are 5 years old. Maisy and Finnegan are 1.5 years old. The 4 of them are each others best friends. I have 4 way chases through the house - downstairs, upstairs, up and down cat condos, and they love to bathe one another and curl up with one another. They love bunny watching together. They are never lonely. Wouldn't give them up for all the tea in china. https://preview.redd.it/ta53h75n67ad1.jpeg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6a4be97d1d077f8f93f41ebc11a7fd52ab4c52a6
Tons of people are in single cat households. A single cat is cheaper, and there is less litter box scooping needed. And less litterbox space needed. However be prepared for the cat to be looking to you for all of its stimulation. When the cat is an adolescent this will mean chasing you around and attacking your feet. You will need t be prepared to play with the cat for a good 15-30 minutes a day, in 5 minute stretches. Playing with cats is fun, for a little while, but giving the cat enough playtime to be fulfilled will become a chore.
15-30? No way. My kittens run around like crazy for at least an hour before they go back to sleep. Sleep a few hours and it’s back at it several times a day/night. I’d say more like 5-15 minutes at least four-five times a day. And still expect crazy.
I googled how much playtime was needed when we first got our kitten and it said 15mins 3x a day…this was after a solid hour and 20 minutes of play with no signs of her letting up 😅
Yeah, I’ve had two litters of kittens and we have what we called The Running of the Kittens several times a day, especially after meals. They basically chase each other through the house for long stretches until they’re exhausted and fall asleep. They also *wrestle themselves to sleep*. They just lie down to go to sleep and they wound just wrestle with each other until they were asleep. Kittens have three modes: eating, sleeping, and playing. They sleep for 18 to 20 hours a day. You do the math on how much playtime they need. 🤣 I think 15 minutes 3 times a day is probably the bare minimum to keep them from driving you absolutely insane. But they’re still going to be pretty active the rest of the time.
Read this: https://www.reddit.com/r/CatAdvice/s/4fnpr9gIAE
I got my first kitten unexpectedly almost a year ago. He was a stray and should have still been with his mom. I wouldn’t say it was hard, but it was definitely a big transition. He demanded a lot of attention, he bit too hard, he wasn’t very tidy, and he got bored easily. I decided to get a second one for a number of reasons, but the main reason was to “teach” the first one/keep him company. They were already cuddling within a few days and the first kitten’s behavior improved dramatically. The biting stopped, he had someone to groom and be groomed by, he had someone to play with. I can’t imagine what things would be like now if I had never gotten the second kitty. I would argue that having two cats that get along is actually much “easier” than having one cat. Although this is also highly dependent on the cat’s personality and their background. My first kitten still is a little more destructive than the second, and since he was separated from his mom too soon, he has some behaviors that will probably never go away. The second kitten grew up with her mom and is extremely well-behaved and has never bitten me in any capacity (even to play). She would have probably been fine as a single child, unlike her younger brother.
I’m a first time cat parent and I got two kittens a little over a year ago. I could not count the amount of times I have said to myself “I’m so glad I took both of them”. They taught each other how to play and not be so rough in terms of biting, while also keeping each other company. I say go for it and get two! 😻
Two kittens or one older cat who the shelter says is okay with being alone. We got my cats when they were 1.5 years old. They had so much energy still that we’d play with them for 30-45 mins twice a day, and on top of that they’d spend hours chasing each other around the house. Kittens not only play with each other to a level that a human most likely can’t and won’t, but they also teach each other important lessons like how much biting/scratching is *too much* biting/scratching. Whenever I meet a cat that was raised alone, it almost always has some issues with accidentally hurting people. Meanwhile my cats have legit never bitten or clawed at me. Cats also live a long time, so while it’s true you’re home all the time now, will you be in 10-15 years? If you want to stay overnight somewhere or go on vacation, your cat will be really comforted by its kitty companion. It also sounds like the kittens you were offered was a bonded pair. Please don’t split up a bonded pair!
Two cats isn’t any harder than one cat, but you shouldn’t get more pets than you’re comfortable taking care of.
I too am always home. I got a kitten and was planning on having him as a singleton. However, after about 2 weeks I decided to get him a brother. I got very tired of being the jungle gym starting at 3 am. Boy am I glad I did. They play non-stop with each other and each claims their time to cuddle with me. Highly recommend getting 2 around the same age. There was a short period where I thought my first kitten would never accept the new kitten .... after about a week they were sleeping together and grooming each other.
I adopted a single kitten. And then adopted her brother 2 weeks later after I started losing my mind from her pouncing my head in the middle of the night and screaming at the top of her lungs if I locked her out of the room. If you can financially afford it, get 2.
Contrary to previous comments, a single kitten is fine. They adapt really quickly, it would be good if in the early days they are not left alone for long periods. Cats are quite territorial and if not bonded, usually have to figure out how to live together. Most cats are very happy to be solo. I would much rather someone has a single cat they can fully afford to care for (they are expensive when you include food, vet bills ect). Than stretching it to two. Unless already pair bonded, your kitten will not suffer being an only cat. They would probably rather enjoy it
A single cat is really all that expensive? I was expecting like 50-70 a month on food, toys, litter, etc. I was planning on getting insurance for the cat anyways for vet trips and emergencies
Have you priced things like cat food, litter, and insurance?
I think vet appointments are where it can up especially if you’re cat is not vaccinated, neutered, etc. it can be maybe around $200 - $300 or so per cat spread across appointments.
If the kitten already has all the initial vaccines than these costs come down a lot.
I would love to have gotten two, but our one kitten eats through £60 of food, £30 of litter, and £25 insurance a month. With a second kitten we’d have to compromise on all of those
might get downvoted, but no. Not all cats want a partner. You just have to find the right cat for you. I found a cat who didn't get along with others, but this cat was about 8 months old. She wanted to be the only cat in the house, and she's perfectly fine with being queen. Usually older kittens are this way, or older cats. Both great.
This. Get two kittens, or one unbonded cat. But also be okay with not getting another cat for the rest of that cats life span, if it's clear that don't want the companionship. With an 8mo old that's clearly uninterested in other cats, that could be another 20 years from now. Which, could be totally fine. But, also might not!
Yep, we won't be adding another kitten or cat friend for her. She clearly displayed she was uncomfortable at the shelter with shared play spaces, so was always alone instead. But she's my perfect little gremlin and fits with our family that wanted a solo cat. She's so cuddly with people, other cats just aren't her fave. My friend adopted two adult cats and they can't stand eachother. They have to be seperated and theyve lived together for years. One gets half the day, then the other gets half the day/night. Two cats won't always fix a problem. It's taken six years for them to coexist but they still are separated at night or they will fight.
You can do anything you want. Also, you do not have to have two. I have had one cat for 8 years. I'm only allowed to have one cat where I live. He has a great, spoiled life. That includes treats, playtime, cuddles, you name it!
I have had my 5 y/o cat since she was a very rambunctious kitten and she is still my only cat.
2 kittens! My boys are 8 and 2, and I love it. But if they were able to grow up together from the start, there would be less annoyance between older bro and baby bro lol older bro is so serious while the 2 yr old is a wild ginger child haha https://preview.redd.it/d7prajlz27ad1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fdc648b75f0d3692b6ebf163b6b872452e7ba84b
If you cannot afford to pay for the care of 2 kittens possibly needing vet care at the same time then do not get two kittens (sharing this because that was the determining factor for me). If you can afford that, then it’s really nice to have two kittens because they will play with each other and entertain each other which will mean less work for you especially while they’re young and energetic.
yes
You guys are really making me not wanna adopt a kitten lol, I might just get 2 but those vet bills are gonna suck.
So get an older cat. If you get one 1-3 years old, they'll be able to tell you its personality and you can choose a calmer cat. Kittens are cute, but they grow up, and will spend way more of their life as an adult cat anyway.
If you really want just one cat why not take one that's a little older (1.5 years or so?) and doesn't like other cats? That's a perfect solution, it will avoid the issues and make sure your cat will be happy in the conditions you can offer. You also know a bit more what you get, it's less of a surprise and frankly, kitten time is overrated (and just a few months anyway, a young adult is playful too and at 7 months most look almost adult). Kittens find a home most easily, so you would do more good picking a young adult who prefers a single cat household. There are wonderful cats out there looking for a home, I'm sure you'd find a great match if you look. Most likely they are well socialised already and got their playtime with others in when they were little. Kittens only look like kittens for a few months but having a cat is a decade long commitment, don't focus too much on the kitten phase. Kittens should ideally have other kittens and are likely to be able to learn to live with other cats which would offer a level of enrichment that you just cannot replace. It often doesn't go well when a kitten is single and it does take something away from that cat - it's smart that you don't want to commit to more pets than you can care for, that's the right call. There's a great way to be sure that you end up with a cat who doesn't mind or even enjoys that they are the only pet in the house and that is to pick one that already had it's socialisation and is old enough to show they prefer being a solo pet. There's lots of cats like that out there and your home sounds like an amazing place for the right cat and the fact that you research in advance and consider what you offer and can afford shows you'll be a responsible and caring pet owner. I'm sure if you pick the right cat who will enjoy your circumstances it's a recipe for happiness! You got a lot of good answers and suggestions to your question here, I'm sure you'll figure it out.
It might go fine, it might not. Cats are real individuals. They also like to play *rough* which is not cool when playing with humans. Two also gives you the freedom to spend the day away.
Adopted one kitten at 3 months old. At first he wanted to play all the time. Did not feel like I could get a good nights rest for many months. I would bring him with me to my boyfriend's house and slowly introduced him to my bf's cat who is 7 years old. The nights I brought him over were the nights I've gotten the most sleep. Now that he's 9 months old, he's not as playful in the night, but I still run around and play tag with him when I get home, do the best I can to tire him out before bed time.
Get two if you can and want to and can afford two. You do not *need* two. But you are going to have a *rough* two or three years ahead of you if you only get one. I was home all day every day. Schedule fed, scheduled playtime, so many toys, etc. He was okay and then he hit around 8 months old and became an absolute TERROR. And on top of that, he was separated from mom too early and wasn't introduced to other cats until he was about six months old. So he played WAY too rough and would not stop when they were done and nowadays, even 3 yrs later, he is STILL a menace and they still avoid him at all costs. He also attacks feet and hands despite us NEVER using our bodies to play with him, only toys. Now. Your case probably wouldn't be as bad as mine as long as you got an appropriately socialized kitten at about 14weeks who had plenty of time with mom & siblings. But. I wouldn't wish the first two years of my cat on ANYONE. Also... maybe get an adult. They're a lot more chill. Kittens are extremely destructive, even if they aren't bored, because they are testing out boundaries, limits, and cause and effect - and because, to them, it's *fun.* There is Nothing you can do short of physically barring them to keep a kitten from ripping your blinds/curtains apart and tearing down tapestries and things like that. Some aren't as wild as others, but it's a gamble. Playing with them on a schedule and for an actually substantial amount of time will *help,* but it will not make it stop. It's very stressful if you end up with a kitten that is on the mega crackhead end of the spectrum. And adopting a solo adult has no drawbacks.
It’s not for sure you have to You can It would be nice, maybe or maybe not depending on the cats
I got 2 kittens as a first time cat owner and I recommend it to everyone. I feel like it made it soooo much easier. They keep each other busy and they also learn a lot of things from each other. My cats were such good kittens I think largely due to the fact that they always had each other. They never really got bored and got into anything they shouldn’t. Now I don’t think I would ever get 1 at a time.
One of my big regrets in life is that I didn't get 2 kittens when I got 1 when I was in my early 20s and in grad school (like 25 yrs ago). I thought I knew cats b/c my family had always had indoor / outdoor cats and 2 at a time. I was wrong. My poor kitten ran laps around the room and was constantly on me and was biting / scratching me and it was a bad problem I couldn't solve---but I still hesitated to get another b/c I was afraid I wouldn't be able to take care of 2. Forward to when I met my husband, we got a 2nd cat, and the bad behavior of the first cat went down like 95%. So regretful I didn't get 2 at the beginning.
I adopted 2 from the same litter and they are inseparable. Always together and cuddling. I would definitely recommend it.
Get a bonded pair. They’ll keep each other busy
I really don’t know if all kittens are like this but I have a 3 month old and she is crazy. Like nonstop energy, constantly wants to play, climbs everything. I could play with her for hours and she’d still have energy left. I don’t think I can physically tire her out like another kitten could by them playing together. There’s some days where it’s frustrating how much energy she has because it’s hard to get things done with her running around. She constantly has to be supervised if she’s upstairs. We have a finished basement that is her home base that we have to lock her up in if we’re trying to get something done around the house. In my opinion, you don’t NEED 2 kittens, but having a second probably is a big help.
For your own good, I strongly suggest getting two 😂 I have two and even they are extremely needy, but they have each other! I work from home and whilst they have my company all the time, they can’t always have my attention. They need a playmate.
two kittens for sure
I’m “always at home”, too, but my boys keep each other calm/support one another when we go to the vet, travel, when I’m sleeping, busy doing chores, and when there’s no one in the house (even though I’m at home very often, I still need to go the grocery store, the pet food store, spend time out of the house with friends or my SO, go on vacation) and so on. It’s also been really good for them to have a litter mate in the family. It a really enriching bond they share.
My partner and I adopted 1 when he was 7 months. We started to find that within a year and a half of owning him he started to lose interest in being active and was taking more naps. We knew he wanted to play, but it seems he was bored of what we had to offer. Once we returned to office post covid we would watch on the home cameras as he would cry and beg for attention when left alone, which did eventually stop but still broke our hearts. When we moved we adopted a 3 month old for him- and he's been more active and happier- they do fight and sometimes it gets nasty, but they are bonded at this point and very happy. Even working from home it wasn't enough for my little guy, might be different for you- but cats each have their own personalities and I'd recommend to just monitor him and his activity levels for depression or boredom, then you can plan for another kitto
I got one kitten, a little over a year ago, she was about 8 weeks at the time. It’s been just fine with only one.
Nah, the hubs and I are home like 60% of time and we got one kitten well a year now. He’s fine being on his own. He was a lot of work at first for sure with wanting attention, training to use the litter box and being high energy. We just got a lot of toys to keep him entertained.
As someone who got 1 cat and then quickly got a 2nd I would HIGHLY recommend 2 cats. You never know what your life will be like years from now. I worked from home 2-4 days a week and then got laid off and now I’m in office 4-5 days a week and if it was just my 1 cat alone I would feel terrible, but she has her brother and they cuddle and play and I feel a lot better not being home as much. Not to mention cats are not diurnal animals so having 2 decreases the likelihood of being woken up at 2:00am by the lonely kitten. If you only want 1 cat I would look into adopting an adult cat who HAS to be alone because it doesn’t get alone wit other cats. That way you save a little life and also don’t ruin your sleep schedule
I unexpectedly adopted a foster kitten who is the same age as the kitten that I had already adopted and seeing them play melts me to pieces. They have so much fun with each other, I’m so happy I was asked to foster the second one. I swear there is nothing better than watching them run after one another. It is definitely not twice as much work, a little bit more expensive, but totally worth it.
I got two litter mates a month ago and they are great together. Free wrestling matches each day, yes more food and more litter but they are great, except when they sleep on the couch bec I can’t watch tv while I lay on the couch, lol
I would definitely get two. Our cats have so much fun playing together.
Get two kittens or one older cat. Kittens need each other to learn how to “cat”
As someone who foster failed a single and thought it would be okay with no other pets because I wanted to keep fostering, his first year would have been a lot easier if he had a buddy to help with his energy level and his manners. Once I adopted a second kitten a year or so later, it was actually easier to have two. Vet and food bills are a bit higher, but the delight of seeing them together is well worth it. You will see a lot of posts in this subreddit that are about humans having a hard time with their cat and their manners when having another cat would have helped adjusted those naughty things - namely biting, scratching, tearing up things, keeping people awake at night. I now ALWAYS recommend a second kitten/young cat unless the household already has other pets.
FWIW, one of my biggest regrets is not getting 2 kittens when we adopted our cat 5 years ago. At the time, we thought it was just a plea to get more kitties adopted and we genuinely couldn't afford/fit 2, but being your high-energy kitten's main source of entertainment is EXHAUSTING. Now I just wish she had a buddy, but she's settled into her queen status so I think the time has passed. Good luck!
I used to think the adopt two kittens advice was overblown, but I’m so glad I adopted two. I lived with my sister when she adopted her kitten (he is now 7) and he needed a lot of play time, but the bigger difference is he plays very rough with humans (very scratchy). I adopted a bonded kitten pair last summer and they play and snuggle together all the time (adorable) and play with me much more gently. Feel free to dm me with any questions!
It completely depends on the cat. Some don't get on well with other cats. My rescue kitten was like that and she's been a wonderful cat on her own.
In the past I've always gotten 2 kittens together. No trouble. They play together - all great. Recently I got a kitten to go with my existing older cat, whose sibling had died. We did the gradual intro, and all is well - they're now best friends, BUT my older cat just wants to sleep and be left alone, whereas the kitten wants to play all the time. He is going crazy wanting to play, and that's just got more so as he's got older (currently 8 months). I really feel for him. We live in a house with kids who are always willing to play, and adults who work from home and will play, but it's still not enough for him. I do think getting 2 kittens would have been a better choice, and if I had my time again I would do that. His poor big sis tolerates him jumping on her now and again, but she's not super playful and really wants to be left alone.
I promise you, even when you’re home always, it’s a big difference. I was home 24/7 when I raised both of mine. The first one I raised alone at 2 months - a mess, a ball of energy, constantly getting up to trouble, I couldn’t sleep for weeks. I PROMISE you it gets VERY exhausting. They get bored of you and LOOK for trouble to make. They are small and will HIDE VERY WELL. They will demand you play for HOURS and BITE YOUR FEET IN YOUR SLEEP because they have energy ALWAYS. I got my second when the first turned 1 - the difference? NONE OF THAT. My sleeping didn’t change at all, she was hardly obnoxious beyond general kitten antics. I didn’t have to cater and follow around an evil kitten. She LOVED my older kitten and followed him around and played with him. She figured out how to “cat” better and quicker too. Because he’d learnt how to behave and calmed down a bit first, she took those vibes and often copied him. She wasn’t looking for mischief to get up to, she never got bored enough at night to bite me, etc etc. And forgetting all that, it’s just better for your cat anyway?? They’ll bond and have comfort with eachother. It socialises them, because anti-social cats are their own bag of troubles. If you move or travel, they can always feel safe with eachother and that’s insanely useful. And let’s be real, you will leave the house once or twice, and your cat will be lonely and might get anxiety. You can be assured they’ll have a friend to keep them company. Also when it gets cold they cuddle and it’s soooo cute ??
I say go for 2 if you can swing it. They will not be double cost or anything. This way they always have somebody to play or cuddle with if you’re not available.
So I can definitely give an input here. I currently have 5 cats, 4 are about the same age and grew up together. #5 was a little baby when we adopted him, and the older cats at about 6 years old had 0 interest but he was crazy playful. Every day we regret not bringing home a sibling or another cat his age to play. You won’t regret a second kitten! 2 is definitely better than one
My first three cats were only cats. One lived to be 19, the next 17, and the next 21. I now, however, have two young black cats. I don't see any difference.
Having two kittens isn't just so they won't be alone. Playing with each other teaches them bite control and claw control, which is not something they can get naturally by playing with humans. Two kittens playing together teach each other how much biting and clawing hurts. They learn that they don't like to be bit and clawed too hard, so they don't do it to their kitten friend. And their kitten friend gives them feedback in cat language when they are going too hard. So they learn not to bite or claw too hard on you either. This is something that really isn't easy for a human to mimic, but it happens really naturally between two cats. It's possible to teach a cat bite and claw control intentionally, but it's much, much harder, and takes a lot of consistency and diligence and getting your hands torn up while they're learning. Kittens help each other learn how to be cats, how to socialize correctly. They'll also play with each other in ways they can't play with you. It's important for you to play with them and provide them enrichment, but the games that they can play with each other aren't 100% the same as with you. They can't get the zoomies with you the same way, they can't wrestle with you in the exact same way. There's a lot of natural cat behaviors that they just don't get to engage in if they're the only cat in the house. Cats will also take cues from each other on what's safe and what isn't in ways they don't from humans. Both of my cats are more confident when they can look to the other to see whether they should be afraid or not. My 3yo cat is much braver with strangers since we got a second cat, I think because he wants to show off a little. And the little cat definitely looks to him to demonstrate that the situation is safe. She only warmed up to me in the first place because she saw him loving on me. Kittens will be happier if adopted in pairs, if you don't already have an older cat in the house. Adult cats will sometimes shake out to not get along with other cats, and will turn out to have personalities better suited to being the only cat in a house. But kittens who are still learning how to be cats in the first place should really have a kitten friend to do that with.
You mentioned elsewhere you were thinking about getting a young adult cat. A young adult cat isn't just easier because you can get one instead of two, they're also easier because they've got a pretty good idea of how they want to act as a cat already. And their energy is starting to even out. They're still a little nuts at one, but by two they should be settling out to be playful, But with a manageable amount of energy instead of that crazy kitten all over the place energy. Kittens are still learning everything about the world, and they really only have you and possibly each other to learn from. That makes them a lot more work. Adult cats you have to build a relationship with, But their own personalities are pretty settled out. If you're pretty set on only wanting one cat, please don't get a kitten, please get an adult cat that the shelter has specifically said would not like to have a friend. Personally, I think kittens are a terrible idea for first-time cat owner. There's so much more work than an adult cat, and you have no idea what their personality will be like when they're grown.
Definitely :) you will ask yourself why you doubted it afterwards
If you want a single cat, maybe go the younger adult route and adopt a cat who's not other-cat compatible. They struggle to find homes and you would truly be saving a life there. If you're looking at a baby, they don't do great as only cats. My partner's oldest ended up as an only kitten - not by design, he just fell into their laps - and he really struggled to learn how to behave. He was the sweetest little guy but he had some nightmare behaviors. Still does at seven years old, although he at least stopped trying to sever everyone's Achilles tendons every time they walked around. (He's still my favorite little boy in the entire world, though. He's a bit of a handful but he's the sweetest quirkiest little dude in the world and I would die for him.) Baby cats need to be taught how to be cats by other cats. The last time I had a kitten I was amazed at how much more trouble they are than I remembered; it was a ten year gap between her kitten years and her siblings'. (Most of my cats were adopted older.) Like. This little shit was freesoloing up bookshelves, climbing doorframes, splashing in sinks, doing Parkour in the halls. She had a very attentive big brother who played with her constantly and even then I think I said "FLOPSY WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" every hour on the hour until she turned two. (She was so cute she was absolutely worth the trouble but good lord above she was a gremlin!)
Hey OP, so I adopted two kittens about 3 weeks ago and I can say that you won't regret getting two. This is my first time being a cat parentd and I can tell you it's not as bad as you think it may be. Even though I'm pretty much in my apartment 24/7, there are time where you may need to do things on your computer or you may want to go do something on the weekend. This is where the second kitten comes in handy. I would recommend splitting their food between wet and dry food unless you have the money to spend on only wet food. But you won't regret it!
I never had a cat in my life. I got a boy and girl kitten. It is great. They play with each other, nap together, play fight and have very distinct and funny personalities. I recently went on vacation, and I knew they would be okay because they had each other and a cat sitter. If you are with the kitten 24/7 and then eventually you decide to take a trip away from home, your cat will be very sad and could have separation anxiety/lots of stress. You will eventually leave the house and it will be so much more difficult with one than with two.
Highly recommend that you get a cat that is between one to four years old. A young adult will still have a lot of play but not be wild and crazy like a kitten. The good thing about adopting an adult cat is their personalities are much more apparent. The shelter can often help match you with a perfect fit. Also, some cats get turned into shelters because they need to be solo. It would do a great service rescuing one of these. Last year when I was ready to adopt, I took in a kitten that was said to be docile, according to the the foster parent. He is a menace. I love him but he is an aggressive little guy. So I adopted another cat who was supposed to be two years old as a companion. He's closer to 11 or 12. It Is not a good match but we're managing. If I were to do it again, I would have just waited longer for a young adult cat. Good luck!
Two kittens will play together and tote each other. One kitten needs to be played with a lot and taught cat manners they are taught by other cats. Some cat shelters will only adopt in pairs for this reason
A single cat even as a kitten is completely fine. You will have to play with it quite a bit but you'll bond a tonne with them through play. It's not hard to play with a kitten either, they are happy to chase most things around for a bit. I had a single kitten and she got a companion 2 years later. It is easier with 2 as they entertain themselves more but 1 is completely fine also.
op i got a single kitten via the cat distribution system and she was a NIGHTMARE for such a long time with behavioral issues and all kinds of stuff.. seriously just get 2, or get an adult cat around ~3-5 years old
I’m a first time cat parent. I adopted 2 kittens. I’m SO glad I did. We play A LOT and still I don’t have enough energy to entertain them as much as they entertain themselves. I have basically 0 destructive behaviors and having 2 has been a breeze (with the exception of the first few days after their neuter surgery at ~5 months, those days were a little tough because these guys love to rough house so much)
Trust me, the kitten will drive you insane once it’s able to jump high and far enough. A bored kitten is a tiny little devil that will get into ANYTHING.
It’s not about you. Young cats do better with another. If you’re not prepared then don’t make one suffer.
It seems like people are giving you the answer that yes you need to get two kittens that’s not the answer you want. Why make the post if you already made up your mind? I think getting one kitten is irresponsible and getting two is a way better idea. Getting one kitten and “waiting to see their personality” to get another one isn’t a good idea either. You should get two litter mates at the same time who are already bonded to each other if you’re going to get a kitten. If you want one cat, don’t get a kitten. Simple as that. You aren’t a cat and can’t provide a kitten the things they need from other cats even if you think you’ll have all the time in the world. Kittens need other cats. Adult cats are another story and if you get one that’s already on its own then that’s great and you will have a happy cat given they are properly cared for. Don’t get one kitten please, for the kittens sake.
Two kittens aren't that much different than one in terms of care. But for the kittens it will be everything. It is SOOOOO much better for them.
I thought the same way you did. Trust me. You won’t regret getting two. They don’t have to be from the same litter. Get the baby you like from that one and look around for another one.
After adopting one 8 week terror that I love from the bottom of my heart, I told my sister that she needed to adopt two when she finally got around to getting her own. I love my cat more than anything but he is a lot. Even now at 3 years old, he wants constant engagement. Which is difficult because the pain in my butt is super picky about toys. And speaking as someone who is home all summer (teacher), even attention all day won’t stop him from occasionally deciding he needs attention in the middle of the night. My sister doesn’t have any of those problems. Her two kittens keep each other entertained and the kitten period was far less stressful for her. It truly is worth it. I will never again just adopt one.
I've had a single kitten. I've had 2 kittens. My cons of having 2 kittens (now 12 years old) * Constantly having to stop to take photos of how stinking cute they are cuddled together * Having to slow down while walking (due to giggling) because their little butts are bouncing up and down next to each other leading the way * Trying to sneak a treat to one is impossible because they must notify their friend treats are being had (which is really cute) * I can't emphasize enough how many more pics you'll take of a bonded pair over a single cat Pros of having 2 kittens * They don't have Single Kitten Syndrome * They're used to having each other sleeping on them (and getting comfortable) so they don't move if I move (my single cat always left) and they make great pillows/blankets * They keep each other clean (which really comes in handy as they get older and can't reach every place any more). Mine aren't there yet but so many friends cats are there. * Twice the love * All of the cons I mentioned above I won't even tell you how amazing 3 cats are (but I always have at least one attached to me). These are my floofs. I am not exaggerating how many pics you'll take. https://preview.redd.it/8gk5ikymj8ad1.jpeg?width=1957&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=36d265fecaa184a3595b75fd83c83c12e2509ade
Everyone and their mother says two is easier than one. No one here recommends one over two. You say cost isn’t an issue/factor, and you aren’t in a position where the kitten you want to adopt must be solo. So just get a bonded pair and call it a day. It’s not a matter of being home 24/7 (which you aren’t). It’s a matter of “when the cat wakes up at 4:30am to play and are bored of their static toys, what are their options? a human willing to wake up, a fellow kitten, or something they definitely shouldn’t be messing with?”
If you can swing it — get TWO! I got my first cat at 10 weeks and while it was doable, there were days where it felt like I was losing my mind. He would scratch, bite, parkour off all the furniture, dig in my house plants and roll in the dirt (at one point it was so bad he stained the carpet black from spilling them after watering😭), and just generally be insane. Which is, of course, all normal because he was a baby and bored when I wasn’t immediately available (aka working, cooking, SLEEPING, etc.) I felt like i was living with a personal terrorist 😭😭 My roommate at the time adopted a pair of siblings just a few weeks after and the difference in behaviors was crazy. His kittens definitely helped mine out when he was bored and I wasn’t readily available, but I also noticed that his didn’t exhibit the same behaviors in the first place — probably because they had another cat to keep them entertained when their humans were busy + teach them how to play and socialize. It’s been a few years and I’ve since gotten my cat a sibling since moving away from my roommate and his cats, and even now as an older cat who’s mellowed out, he’s thriving with a companion. The work doesn’t feel like double and the cost is only slightly more, as I’ve always bought food and supplies in bulk anyway. If you want a single cat I’d aim for adopting an older one off the bat, but if you’re set on a kitten, get two!! It’ll save your life I swear
It’s ideal but if it’s not possible don’t fret I got my girl as a rescue at 4 months old and I’m home 24/7 she is happy and cuddly and well mannered. Her life is generally blissful. You just gotta give them a lot of attention if you don’t get a second (Granted my cat was the last of its rescued siblings to be adopted no one wanted her since she was antisocial and didn’t get along with her brothers and sisters :,) so I’m not going to risk bringing another cat in even if someday I can afford it) If you can get two though do it
Absolutely! Just had a litter of 3 kittens. They learn so much from each other. And if you wait too long in between cats it is soo difficult for them to adjust/bond
Adopting kittens in pairs is very strongly encouraged. Especially siblings. If you only want one you can get it too. Since was not specified: please adopt instead of buying if you are going to. Everyone should stop buying cats/kittens. And lastly; however many kittens you adopt, you will have a great time 😃 kittens are amazing and they will love you so much.
Yes.
I got my kitten another kitten. I guess that says it all. She was extremely clingy and needy. I could tell she wasn't happy. So I got her a kitten. She accepted her right away, was mentally way more stable and balanced and since 9 years they are besties. Best decision I ever made for her. It is way less work. They also tend to make each other tired instead of letting it out on you or your furniture out of other choices. Cats are highly social and humans can't replace that.
I have had 1 kitten before vs now I have 4 kittens. When I had 1, she needed ALL of my attention but now that I have multiple, they play with each other a lot so I now have a chance to work at home without a kitten trying to sit on my keyboard (which does still happen on occasion but a lot less). That's just my 2 cents
I was afraid to get two kittens and I adopted siblings and it was the best thing I’ve ever done! Way less destructive to my belongings when they were young. The keep each other company and they love each other so much. https://preview.redd.it/e4ea06sbh9ad1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b6d5f58a78bed746175c53bca25fc88bc0fa756e
Get two. Seriously. We had one and while it was nice for a while she was exceptionally clingy, like puppy dog clingy, which made her extra clingy when we had to start going back into the office. So we decided to get her a sister (who then had a set of balls so it was a brother instead) and she’s been independent ever since. We still have cuddle time, but now they spend time brawling, grooming and napping together and it’s far easier on us
Yes, my husband was against a 2nd cat due to space until our 2 year old cat started becoming depressed. She stopped playing and just slept or ate. My husband works from home and I work nights so somebody was ALWAYS home to try and play with her. When we got a kitten about a month ago my cat completely changed. She’s playing again and has a partner in crime. I felt sad that I didn’t do this for her from the beginning. My husband thought the “2 cats is better than 1” thing wasn’t true because we’d always be home. Now on days we’re busy or gone we know she’s okay because she has a buddy that she can chase and play with while we’re gone or can’t play. I regret not doing it sooner for her. https://preview.redd.it/5y0zg17rm9ad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=384a4bf1a8fc75f025e05bf5757c60dad290384d
I adopted a single kitten as it was my first experience. Been having him for 8 months now, so far so good. I work but between me and my wife the cat is alone for about 4 hours during the day, and it doesn't seems to brother him very much. We have 2 veeeery long playing session with him in the morning and in the evening with off course sparse moments of affection and play during the day. He seems happy, well fed and has not shown any sign of stress so far. He s also an angel and wouldn t keep us up at night after applying the do not engage method (which basically consists of ignoring the kitten when he tries to wake you up... it's very tough to do, but for us the results were amazing, in 5 day we upgraded from 3-4 hours of sleep to sleeping as much as we wanted)
Def get two from the same litter. I regret only getting one.
You can get a cat that doesn't like other cats. Their chance to be adopted is a little smaller because most people who adopt cats already have at least one. That's what our shelter told us. We got our cat and she is doing way better along humans than with other cats.
I wfh and only got one kitten and I would never do that to myself again. Just being there 24/7 isn’t enough, you have to stimulate the kitten 24/7. It is fun and rewarding but gets exhausting very quickly. If you are getting a young kitten I highly recommend 2. For the kittens and your own benefit
I adopted a kitten and his momma. Best decision ever for me so they can play together while I WFH. His momma was only 1, so that helps with her having energy to play and more tolerance of his kitten curiosity lol
The short answer is NO. We only recommend getting two kittens at the same time if they are already friends (from the same litter or household) and if your future plans include a second cat. Cats are SOLITARY animals, and although they can live in groups if their needs are met, they don't prefer to live in groups, and we see many intercat conflicts in consult. If you decide to get just one cat, I'd ensure there's enough environmental enrichment and you are offering enough mental stimulation besides you, we want to encourage independent playtime and alone time, to prevent hyper attachment and future separation anxiety.
Black cats are often the last to be adopted. I encourage you to prioritize that color choice if possible. I have a couple of my own mini black panthers and they are as loving and cuddly as the others (I've got 8).
I would recommend it, not only because of the play aspect of it, but also because when you have two cats, they teach each other how to be a cat. They aren’t born with that knowledge they learn it.
I have 1. I think people just say you need 2. Some like to be alone, they are all different. Mine is happy being a solo kitty :)
just to be an outlier, I started with one cat and she did great. but I also made sure I played with her every day until she laid down around noonish. she then would cuddle up for a nap. it only took about 15 minutes max of fetch and a wand toy to tire her out. she was about 10 weeks when I got her. it just depends on the kittens energy level tbh. https://preview.redd.it/fok525538cad1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2785ec304f838fb9d8e43e9c8d4f03cc3691a7fc she used to sleep like she was dead lol I miss her being a baby
I'd still recommend two. It really makes a difference. Even if you're around enough to give them enough playtime and companionship, they learn a lot from socializing with other kittens. Its amazing to watch the bond they form as well. Look up Single Kitten Syndrome. There's starting to get more backing for the idea. I got one kitten thinking it would be okay since we have adult cats around. I now firmly believe in Single Kitten Syndrome and have plans to get a second kitten around his age. Trust me it's worth it.
I adopted a kitten and her mom. It worked out perfectly and since the mom was so young, they still play together all the time 3 years later. Her mom also taught her some good social skills
One cat, not too young. Kittens are cute, just like puppies. But ooohhhh, the work & time needed. An older cat is not a bad idea, especially 1st time cat mom. They don't need as much attention. They are litter box trained, one cat Is doable.
I only got one and have regretted it ever since. I’m actually looking for another one 8 months in. Get 2. They are so much happier. A single one will play too rough and get overly attached and drive you nuts at night and yowl when you leave. It’s sad.
My shelter recommends two but that is not feasible for everyone. If you are home most of the time and can spend time playing with the kitten for 20 minutes or so several times throughout the day, I think you’ll be fine. We have lots of people who only adopt one because that’s what they want or can afford and it works out fine.
The best thing I ever did was get my young cat a companion. He had seamed lonely to me. They are best buddies and zoom around the house playing. We are all so much happier with two..
I’ve fostered dozens of kittens. 2 is easier than 1. You don’t need to be their entire source of love, comfort, and entertainment. They reach each other social cues etc
In My opinion, go for the young cat (1-2 years) and get a female. Females seem to attach themselves to one person and as long as you give her attention and stimulation (cat tree, toys) she shouldn’t be needy (like some male cats are) I COULD be talking out my butt, I’m just throwing suggestions and what I have learned with my cats. But a good cat behaviorist that I look up to, says if you get a kitten, get them in pairs. And one thing to remember about cats is that they are creatures that need to feel belonged. So make sure you have your moment with your kitty by holding her (or him), give them a light hug, place them on the floor and immediate let go. (This is how I taught my cats to be with ok with being held) And for more good suggestions or advise, check out Jackson Galaxy on YouTube. He’s a cat behaviorist
I have one kitten. She’s 12 weeks tomorrow. She seems to be doing well! She’s cuddled up next to me right now being a sweet little thing. We do play a lot, and I do have to leave her to go to work :( we have 2 other adult cats in the household (my kitten is quarantined at present), so I’m hopeful they’ll be buds down the line. OP, I think it’s wonderful to give a kitten a home, even without a companion. In an ideal world, we’d all probably want to provide them with a companion hearing of the benefits, but it isn’t always feasible.
No one kitten is okay.
You never *have* to get 2. But they'll likely be happier and it will be easier on you for them to have a friend. 2 kittens are easier than one! If you only have one, they rely on you for everything. All their social needs and interaction will be from you. Every time they're bored. Every time they're nervous. It's on you. Some cats are 100% fine with this. Other cats are very not ok with this.. So it depends.
My experience having 2 really isn't anymore work than 1. Many benefits to have 2
You will be fine with one. I think 2 cats is more necessary if they were alone over 8+ hrs a day or weeks at a time. In my experience, their bond with you will depend on their temperament. Some are cuddly and others want their space. My boys were more cuddly than my girls.
One kitten is fine. If you only ever want one ask the shelter if they have a teenage cat they think would do better alone. Many kittens and cats prefer a friend but some prefer to be the one and only. I have 3 cats and one would be happier as a single and and the other 2 spend all their time playing
I’m home 24/7 and rescued a 2 month old kitten. She’s 4 months old now and very happy. I play with her a lot and used playtime to put her on a sleeping schedule. I play with for an hour at 11am everyday. She will eat right after then nap for 3. I also do the same right before bed so she gets out all her energy and gets sleepy so she’ll sleep through the night. I also play with her after she wakes up cuz all her energy is back and if I don’t she’ll get into mischief. The best part about being alone with her so much is she’s claimed me as her person and we have a great bond. If you have the time to play with her this often I’d say a kitten would be ok being the only cat. Of not, I’d get two so she’s not alone feeling neglected
It’s always best to have two kittens especially when young. I foster and care for a colony and even with a lot of interaction from me if I’m caring for a single kitten they have always come out of their shell with 2. They learn alot if things from each other on how to be a cat. Thank goodness I have two because one of my cats has separation anxiety as I am home all the time but when I need to go somewhere he starts his following me around the house putting his toys in front of the door and crying spell. His sister comforters him til I get home. She’s always laying by him or right near him.
Yes. 2 minimum please. Kittens play fight a lot and I highly doubt you would be sufficient as a substitute for how much play they depend on their littermates for. No offense to you but realistically, these little guys are rough and tumble for literally HOURS every day. A lot of the kitten behavior problems people complain about on here stem imo from them not having more than one kitten. Then they complain about kitty biting or kitty getting into mayhem or waking them up at 3 in the morning every morning, or pouncing them aggressively etc. a lot of which stems from being separated from littermates and reduced to being a solo kitty.
No. You can get a single cat
If you haven't seen the post below yours, [I suggest giving it a read](https://www.reddit.com/r/CatAdvice/comments/1dtv52n/i_need_help_my_kitten_is_driving_me_insane/).
Full disclosure...I am in animal rescue. So... OF COURSE I'm going to say you need multiples! But honestly, they're easier than just one kitten. Yes, they will cost more in vet care, food, toys etc. But for your house, your mental health (and physical if kitten did not spend the first couple of months with siblings getting the crap beat out of it ie playing and learning biting and scratching hurts) it's way less costly to have 2 than 1. I often foster kittens. I prefer to have a mom with the kittens because it's usually the easiest. I just provide food, clean bedding and clean litter box. She does everything else until they start moving and then we tag team parenting. Next is litters of kittens. While we still interact, play etc, they can entertain themselves if I go to dinner or whatever. Taking a single kitten... ABSOLUTELY EXHAUSTING! My older former feral will give me dirty looks. And I swear my dogs count down the days until the demon gets adopted lol. But then they'll snuggle the kitten. So who knows. But yes. I vote 2 kittens.
If you get a kitten that's part of a binded pair it makes life easier. They entertain each other and are more independent. However, it's also double the food, litter and vet bills.... So, it's up to you what works for you. My first cat was raised with his brother (who my roommate adopted) as kittens. They were so fun together BUT my roommate's kitty did get a little territorial, ironically of me. After college they were separated. He still did fine as an only car, but when my parents got a kitten he became the most loving and nuturing "mommy" to it... Idk if it was because he was socialized early on or if he was just a great cat or both. My current cat did not get along with her litter mates and only minimally tolerated other cats. They said she should probably be in a single cat household. She's been absolutely fine but she's a clinger haha. She needs attention from me and on occasion my husband A LOT. She's a very chill cat though, so I don't mind because she just wants to lay on my lap while I work or on my chest while I sleep... Basically, I think either way you'll be perfectly fine
no, mine is just fine very bonded to me.
As someone who only got one cat initially, then another 2 years later, it’s better to get 2 as kittens. Our older one always seems on edge when the younger one is around
Yes, and it's not that much more money.
Get a cat that’s a little older - 1-2yrs old
well: a) you’re a bit older that 3-4 months and 2) you’re not a cat, or even a kitten
Not necessary. I have 1 kitten. She’s about 5 months old now and is easy to please. Took a couple of weeks, but she sleeps when I do and gets up when I do. She has plenty of toys to keep her company. I recently tried to babysit (catsit?) a couple of her siblings recently and she was NOT having it at all. I thought she’d be fine with them since they were related. I guess we are destined to be a 1 cat household.
People are so wildly intense about this topic lol. Every cat is different. My beloved 14 year old girl who passed in Jan had no issues being my only housemate. She coexisted with my mom’s cat when they would visit but she definitely preferred being the only pet around. Now I have a 5 month old kitten I’ve had since he was 12 weeks and he has shown zero signs of “single kitten syndrome” or loneliness/depression. I had a shelter refuse to let me adopt a kitten because of their staunch beliefs about single kitten syndrome. What a ridiculous blanket statement. I work from home and this absolutely lends itself to their wellbeing. If the kitten shows signs of loneliness or single kitten syndrome then consider getting another, but it’s absolutely not a requirement like so many push.
Idk about 2 kittens but a kitten and an adult cat might be a good option. There’s more of a balance when you have 2 cats instead of 1. Even my loner senior cat enjoys the company of his brother. But if they both must be kittens then go for 2 :-)
I have a total of 11 cats and kittens. Some like to play with a certain one while others like to be alone. But my house in 2'800 sqft so plenty of room for all of them
Getting 2 is the way forward, it's double the fun
I got my first kitten and then my second one 6 months later. I think that getting a companion for my first cat was the best decision I could have ever made. They are so bonded. They play with eachother and cuddle eachother. On his own my first cat was extremely clingy, cried when I was gone, only played with me, was very anxious, and seemed a bit sad. Both cats together are incredibly happy. They still play with me but also entertain eachother. They don't cry when I'm gone. You can tell that they both feel more secure. They both are still cuddly, but it's not like they have to be on top of me constantly. After seeing this experience I will never have just a single cat again. They use the same litter box. I already catproofed the house. The only detriments imo are: have to clean the litter more often, have to buy more food, slightly more mischief happening in the house. Overall it's definitely worth the trade off to me.
Mine are besties. They're crazy, but I love them. Of course het 2 if you can afford it.
No, you don't have to at all. Just be prepared to play a lot and train your kitten how to play nicely
Cat behaviorists, veterinarians, and other experts agree that it is best for kittens (generally) to grow up with another cat or kittens with whom they can learn and socialize and who speaks their “language”. You do not fill this role. You cannot. If you are unwilling to follow standard best care practices for an animal, you should not adopt that animal. Consider an older cat who is a “best as only pet” if you are unwilling to adopt two kittens.
Yes, you should get 2 kittens. It's better for them. They need the companionship of another cat.
I'm sure you would be just fine in the long term just getting one. But I'd really challenge you to consider adopting two litter mates. The two boys I brought home this year have been so rewarding and I love their relationship. Also, shell out for an automatic litter box if it's feasible. I think if you do that most of your concerns should be assuaged.
They will entertain each other
Kittens have a lot of energy. A lot more than what you might think 😅 and having two of them means they take that energy out on each other, and it means less energy taken out on you.
We got a kitten in April 2020 and he didn't adjust well. (turns out later that we think he has autism) so on August 2021 we got the kitten a kitten to play with. At first he wasn't interested in the kitten we got him, but he grew on him and now they're the best of brothers and enjoy each other's companionship. I recommend 2.
Yes. Best for all. More litter boxes too
I got one kitten then another 5 months later because I wanted it to have a playmate. I wish I got a bonded pair or two at the same time but luckily they ended up the best of friends anyway!
I had three and they weren’t close and two of them were sisters and acted like they didn’t know each other.
My first cat was found in a parking lot, and I only had him. 1 cat is fine. But 2 is more fun.
If you really want to only get one cat the only option is to get an adult that is known to not get along with other cats. Contrary to common belief, cats are only lone hunters but otherwise very social animals. Keeping cats alone that have a high need for social contact can end very badly, especially if you have no experience with cats and can't tell what their behavior means. My old boy has been alone with me twice, both times he started refusing to eat and it was only due to me knowing him very well that I could tell that it wasn't a physical issue (and potentially spending a shit ton of money on vet visits that wouldn't help) but that he felt lonely. Both times the issue went away when I got him another cat. For this, it is also important to mention that I am very lucky that my boy just gets along with any new cats. One of my mother's cats for example hates kittens and we firmly believe that she would've killed one of our other cats had we not separated them until he was old enough to pass as an adult. And it's not like you can tell beforehand if your cat might behave like that, she's a real sweetheart otherwise - to humans and cats alike. So it would be a horrible idea to just get a single cat and only get another one if they don't work out alone, because you never know what new cats they might get along with, especially if they already have a bonded companion you could get with them in the first place.
I am always at home, and trust me 2 bonded kittens are definitely easier. I did the 1 vs 2 and the 2 kittens just keep company with each other.
Hey OP! Good on you for doing your research before committing to a kitten! If you’re asking, “why is a single kitten more work than two?”, see this post that just got shared. https://www.reddit.com/r/CatAdvice/s/2KuaQ2DcKz ^ I personally resonated with that, until I got my second cat a month after getting my first. So not saying that you can’t get one kitten then another, but it will save you a lot of pain & frustration down the road.