One kitten or two

suvigirl

Have been thinking about getting a cat for a while now, my last dog died 3 years ago and as I now live alone, I can't get another dog.

I know someone trying to rehome 5 stray kittens and I think I'll go for it now, but should I take one of two? I need advise from cat owners, I am thinking they would be company for each other, when I'm working?

o1s1n

100% get the two! There's very little difference in up keep than having one and they definitely keep each other company.

suvigirl

Would two females be ok together? I would obviously get them spayed

o1s1n

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122299596#Comment_122299596

100%. It's the preferred setup really. Ive had two girls now for the last ten years and they get on like a house on fire. Joined at the hip. Not even siblings.

Ive found theyre a bit better at being indoor only cats too. Only boy cat Ive ever had spent all day just wanting to be outside.

suvigirl

Thats great, thanks for that! I've told her I'll take two females😁

o1s1n

And now for the obligatory cat photos!

suvigirl

B eauties!

o1s1n

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122299643#Comment_122299643

Amazing! Best of luck. You'll have to pop up a few photos when you get them :)

Ezeoul

Definitely two. I remember my vet telling me that when it comes to kittens, two is HALF the work and even at that, the first year will be crazy!

I have two females, 3 years old (this week).

Hoboo

Two definitely! I had two strays, I’d have another two tomorrow.

Until you have a cat, you don’t know. You can have a dog all your life, you’ll never appreciate the dog until you have a cat. They’re dicks. But so much fun and love.

And I still have two dogs, who miss two cats.

suvigirl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122299722#Comment_122299722

I absolutely will, about 2/3 weeks I think! 😁😁

Hoboo

just make sure they get plenty of time with mum, better to give them a few extra weeks.

Enjoy !!

o1s1n

I will say as well, don't be afraid to give them loads of love and attention. Ive found if you really get in there early as kittens and always have them on your lap / giving them physical attention they result is incredibly affectionate cats.

My two literally love people. Any time visitors come over they're all over them. Call their names and they'll run to you like a dog would. Completely blows the aloof cat trope out of the water!

Ezeoul

Practical tips, use a good cat litter. I found "Cat's Best" literally the best.

Pet insurance is a good idea, about 8 euro per cat per month, for the first year. If you have a vet in mind, see if they have a TrustVet plan, which is a monthly plan, but will also cover vaccinations, visits, and discount of neutering, etc. (Usually done at around 5/6 months).

Then remove all small breakable objects, photo frames etc and batten down the hatches!

o1s1n

'The worlds best cat litter' is about ten times the price as other stuff but yeah, it's absolutely amazing! I switched over a few years ago and never looked back.

Also look into a plug in water fountain, much easier to get them drinking water from one of those than still water.

suvigirl

Thanks for all the advice, it's all very welcome. We had cats growing up, but they weren't really 'mine ' and my last dog was over 13 when he died, so this will take a bit of getting used to! Looking forward to it though

con747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122300261#Comment_122300261

Just make sure to take out health insurance on them.

Mollyb60

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122299920#Comment_122299920

Congrats on the new kittens suvigirl! I'll echo oisin's advice. Get them used to being picked up and held by you as soon as possible. Get them used to you touching their face, paws, belly (if they'll allow it). Makes vet trips and general maintenance like trimming nails so much easier. Try pick them up and hold them, even for just a few seconds, every day. Your vet and your skin will thank you for it in the long run. I was in ribbons when I first took my new kitten to the vet. We've been working on that ever since and she's much happier to be handled now.

magicbastarder

it's totally redundant now, but i'll echo the recommendation for cat's best litter.

it says it's flushable on the bag; just be careful with that! you don't want to dump any unactivated litter into the loo.

also, you're better off keeping their water separated from their food; apparently cats don't like drinking in the same place they eat.

Alun

Not wanting to put a damper on things, but be aware that it's actually common for two strongly bonded siblings, especially two females, to drift apart after a year or two and become quite aggressive towards each other. It happened to us, with one car being so aggressive to her sister she started peeing all over the house. It probably won't happen but it's good to be prepared.

magicbastarder

our two fight occasionally; they get on with each other most of the time, but i wouldn't call them especially close.

greyday

2 can keep each other company.

ancapailldorcha

Get two. Twice the fun.

Ezeoul

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122300637#Comment_122300637

I also agree with the other posters on handling them as much as possible, lots of cuddles and rubs and plenty of active play so they don't get destructive and to calm to zoomies.

Alun is also not wrong here either.

My two are not siblings, they are a week apart in age and bonded in their foster home (both being orphaned as very young kittens and hand reared). For the first year they literally couldn't bear to be apart and would cry for each other if separated.

Now as adults, they are definitely not as bonded to each other. They don't like to share sleeping areas and they do have occasional scrap - like sisters do! But they also stick up for each other if another cat comes into their territory - then they definitely work as a team. 😼😼 It's quite fascinating to watch, actually.

It's all part of the fun!

(eta) you may also need two litter boxes. If you only get one, get a big one. My two didn't like sharing.

magicbastarder

also worth noting - we got ours from phibsboro cat rescue, and they had (IIRC) a policy that if you took two or more kittens, you could take them at nine weeks old, but if you took one, they waited till it was 12 weeks old - just worth noting in case you're breaking up a litter, so as not to leave any one kitten on its own too young.

Gary_dunne

We fostered two 3 week old kittens that were abandoned and failed at giving them back. Had to bottle feed them from day 1.

That was nearly a year ago, 1 boy and 1 girl and they’re still as close as ever.
As most have said it’s an easy to have 2 as it is to have 1.

Furze99

Two definitely but ensure they can have some sort of outdoor life and the risks that go with it. I know some keep cats indoors but this goes right against their natural instincts and nature.

Ezeoul

Scratching posts. You'll need one, or your furniture will suffer!

Actually, new kitten shopping list. 😺

😺 Cat food (obviously! Wet or dry, your choice, I feed a combo of both). That probably deserves its own thread. There is a pet food bargains thread - but Zooplus.ie is usually good for deals.

😺 Food bowls. I use stainless steel and wash in very hot water daily.

😺 A water fountain has been recommended - I don't have one, but I believe they are good.

😺 Cat litter - "Cats Best" highly recommended, your nose will thank you!

😺 Litter Box - 1 x jumbo or 2 regular size. This is trial and error as some cats don't like covered litter boxes.

😺 Litter Box scoop. (One small, one large) Poop bags for disposal of used litter.

😺 Beds - they'll probably share one for now. Cuddly blankets to protect your sofas!

😺 Toys - lots of stuff for active play.

😺 Cat Tree - if you have room for one. Mine love being at a height.

😺 A carrier for trips to the vet. I recommend Amazon Basics soft cat carrier. I have 2 medium, but 1 large will do for kittens.

😺 As mentioned above: scratching posts!

If anyone else would like to add anything I've forgotten, please do!

(Can you tell we're excited for you, Suvigirl?)

o1s1n

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122301072#Comment_122301072

Edit - not getting into the indoor/ourdoor cat debate. Would rather see this thread stay light and fuffy and full of cat photos.

volchitsa

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122299870#Comment_122299870

Completely agree with this - we've mostly had cats until we got a dog nearly 9 years ago now (on the death of our last cat). Since then we had a lost cat turn up and I just LOVE having both. Cats are such badasses compared to dogs - I love how they despise us, and yet somehow enjoy our company - but when you need a bit of unconditional adoration, the dog is always there to give you some. Perfection!

(And the OP has made her decision so it doesn't matter, but yes, two cats are great together.)

Ezeoul

Can we not turn this into an indoor cat / outdoor cat discussion please?

That is entirely the owner's choice, and up to their own judgement on the subject.