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.

volchitsa

Double post

Furze99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122301087#Comment_122301087

Perhaps but respectfully, it ain't natural. Cats are closer to their wild cousins than dogs are to theirs. Cats are natural hunters, they are also territorial and like to patrol their range. One of ours likes the indoor life in winter but you wouldn't keep her in once spring comes - has to be out and about. And of course you'll know the other old trope that you don't own cats, they own you.

volchitsa

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

Were they indoor cats? I've seen this "separation" happening with various of our cats, whether siblings or mother and daughter, and they always got over it - but our cats were always able to go outside a lot so maybe that helped.

The oddest thing we had was with a mother and daughter where the daughter would still occasionally suckle from her mother even years later, and at other times the mother used to get really irritated at her and send her off with a flea in her ear (so to speak). They definitely had periods when they were friends and times when they didn't want to see each other. But there were no behavioural issues that affected us, AFAICR.

magicbastarder

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122301087#Comment_122301087

Our two went into hiding in the back of the sofa as soon as they arrived.

suvigirl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122301084#Comment_122301084

Great help, thank you!

Furze99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122301097#Comment_122301097

Sure but if you're going keep any animal as a pet, then give it the life it deserves. We've lost cats to road accidents and it's sad but that's the risks you take when you allow them freedom.

magicbastarder

on that note, a friend got a cat (not a kitten, about a year old) and it bolted up their chimney instantly. was up there for nearly two days, they had to get a chimney sweep to get her out.

o1s1n

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122301117#Comment_122301117

Cats are literally what you make of them, like any other domesticated animal.

Shall we leave it there? Lighten the mood, post some photos of your cats 😁

o1s1n

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122301144#Comment_122301144

Sweet Jesus haha, I'd say they were scrubbing soot out of the thing for years to come.

I happened to be getting my kitchen redone when I got one of mine. She managed to actually get into the walls where the builders had left a tiny hole.

Nothing quite like the hearing kitten meowing coming from inside walls to make you wonder 'how the absolute feck are we going to solve this?'

Ezeoul

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122301140#Comment_122301140

I agree with Oisin, let's keep this thread light and positive for a new cat guardian.

Indoor / outdoor can be such a bone of contention between cat owners, which is why I deliberately avoided stating on this thread whether mine are indoor or outdoor. And I'm not going too. :) No judgement here.

The one thing we agree on is we all love the little blighters!

Alun

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122301121#Comment_122301121

No, they weren't indoor cats, they could come and go as they please. They were as close as they could possibly be up until about 18 months, cuddling up with each other asleep, grooming each other etc., and then it began.

SuperBowserWorld

We got 2 males, brothers. They only tolerated each other once they will fully grown. But they definitely kept each other company and occupied. Only one is alive now.

Don't forget cat collar with bell when they are kittens and they just get used them quickly. Amazon have really good cheap ones. Gives the birds a chance if they go outside and if they are hunters.

volchitsa

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122301217#Comment_122301217

Just depends on their characters then, so yes, something to be aware of perhaps, but I don't know that there's anyway to know beforehand whether that will happen.

But it's true that cats are more solitary by nature than dogs, so I suppose cohabitation is always a bit trickier.

BrokenArrows

We got two cats from the same litter 7 years ago. They got on great for a couple of years but then became mortal enemies.
So there is a risk that your two cats will NOT be friends and will be constantly fighting.

We are moving into an apartment from a house with outside access, and because they couldn't survive together we had to rehome them.

As long as you are home enough, cats are happy with you being their source of entertainment and affection.

2 brothers

and now

SuperBowserWorld

Our cats were from a farm. And they were supposed to be female. Turned out they were both males. 😁 Which makes neutering easy for the vet. But they did have bouts of marking/pissing contests. Which died down after a while. 🙄 There are cleaners you can get to get rid of the smell quickly. But be aware of that. Also, we have wooden floors so that's a plus. If you have carpets …

suvigirl

Question for the experts! Will 2 kittens use the same litter tray?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122302843#Comment_122302843

My 2 cats do use the same tray, but i would recommend more than 1 litter tray

suvigirl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122302945#Comment_122302945

Yeah I was thinking I would probably need more then one anyway! Thanks

o1s1n

Yeah they say one box per cat plus one extra but to be honest I think people who say that are Americans with massive houses.

Ive only ever had the one for my two and they both use it absolutely fine. It's big enclosed one though, something like this

https://www.zooplus.ie/shop/cats/cat_litter_litter_boxes/large_litter_boxes/large_boxes/391825?activeVariant=391825.5