Cat Chat Feline Forum

Hey cat folks,

We are new to the world of cats, and new to the forum. My wife and I have had dogs separately in the past, but never a pet together, and never cats. And we have a 6yr old daughter - a lover of all things animal - looking for her first pet. We considered things like rabbits or guinea pigs, but we also like the idea of something that will love us back. We'd love a dog, but we often go out of town for the weekend to visit family, and can't leave one alone. Thus we have landed on the world of cats, and are looking forward to getting one or two.

We have the opportunity to adopt a kitten or two through a local rescue. She has two kittens, about 10wks old, brother and sister. Having never owned cats in the past, we are a bit overwhelmed at the prospect. We have spent a significant amount of time reading forums/books, and watching videos, especially the stuff by Jackson Galaxy. Among the myriad of advice topics are opinions on how many cats one should have. Many say that it's best to get two cats so they can socialize with each other. However, my wife stays home with our daughter, and she home schools, so someone is almost always home and there will be socialization. When we go out of town for the weekend, we will often be able to bring it/them with us to grandma's house. But some have said that having two cats also allows them to socialize off of each other and grow together as cats. Others have said that having multiple cats mean they bond with each other and not the people, which we don't want.

In summary, there is a rubbish-ton of information out there about cats, and we don't know who to listen to. And we also realize that there might not be a right answer to all of our questions. But our first, perhaps most important, question is this:

In the kitten stage, with people who are largely home, know very little about cats and have a healthy fear of the whole concept, would you recommend starting off with one to break ourselves in and get comfortable with cats in general? Or is it always better to start with two, all things being equal?

Thanks

Hi and welcome

Wow! You'll get a lot of replies with this I think, but I'd just like to say that you sound ideal, you've thought it all out, and that the question of cats' degree of affection towards humans does depend on the cat, but, in my experience of almost always having several cats, I've never found them aloof. Although they aren't like dogs in the sense that they'll run to welcome guests (though some will) and socialise with just anybody, once they get to know you, you'll have a lapful. They won't stay in a catty clique avoiding humans.

Taking on two rescues who know each other sounds ideal; although cats enjoy human company they are communal with their own kind, and there are so many who need good homes that it's heartbreaking - you've only to read on here about all the cats in shelters.

About travelling, many cats do adapt well to this, but it's a good precaution to make sure that they can't wander from an unfamiliar place; again they're not doglike in that they'll settle instantly in a strange house; they are creatures of habit and if they don't adapt to going away for the weekend, it may be as well to find a pet sitter or reliable friend who'll come in to their house and feed them/see to trays etc. Again this depends on the cat/s but having two will mean that they are company for each other.

Hope this helps for now and you will get lots more advice - any more questions please feel free to ask, and I do hope you adopt your cat/s and have a long and happy life together

Hi and welcome. It’s great that you’re putting so much effort into getting a cat or two All cats are different but I think if you can afford to adopt two kittens together, then that would be a great idea. They will be company for each other and when you are in you will have a cat each! When we started out we got one kitten then about a year later decided to adopt another, for company for the other, because at that time we both worked, and because she tended to go to my hubby more than me. Although we found that the first cat wasn’t all that keen on having another cat around, they eventually got on ok, (tolerated one anther). When they passed we started to just adopt oldies and if one passed away we adopted another so we’ve always had two cats and I’ve always found that they’ve been very loving towards us, no less than when we have one cat in the household, like now. We once adopted two older cats together, who had come from the same household- but that didn’t stop them being as loving towards us, I would have them both trying to get on my lap at the same time! As Lilith says though, cats do prefer their own environment if you go away, you could take them but there’s the stress for the cats. Also, if they got out and went missing they wouldn’t be able to find their way home so it is a bit of a risk.
Anyhow best of luck!
These links may also be helpful:
https://catchat.org/index.php/kittens-a ... ue-not-buy
https://catchat.org/index.php/advice/wh ... rabbit-pet
https://catchat.org/index.php/cats/adopt-rescue-cat

I have had single kittens, and two siblings. Both worked well, but I think the siblings had the most fun, and I would always choose to get two together in future if it were possible. They play together and with you, teach each other to be careful with claws and teeth, snuggle in adorable poses and watch each other's backs as they grow up. Soft furnishings suffer twice as much, of course, but that is a small price to pay for so much joy!

Fifteen years ago I found a kitten - around one week old. Never had a cat before, no experience of raising such a tiny animal - really thrown in the deep end!

With help from cat owning friends we raised Willow and now have six cats! The latest are brother kittens. They are a delight. Taking on two youngsters can be a handful (but you will know all about that!) Our main reason was that our other cats range from five to fifteen and probably wouldn't want to be pestered with a youngster all the time. Having the two has been a joy!

Go for it! There are a lot of very knowledgeable people on here who will be only to pleased to advise on any subject. They certainly helped me when I found out Bobby was FIV+!

Ooh, and when you get them - we want to see photos.

fjm wrote: Soft furnishings suffer twice as much, of course, but that is a small price to pay for so much joy!

Yes, this may lead to many ex-curtains and dis-cushions.

But worth it!