|
Should You Get Two Kittens?
Many different reasons exist for having more than one cat. A friend with whom we had placed a 2 year old cat was informed by one of her neighbors You will never again have to carry that 'guilty baggage' with you because
you have left your cat home alone. While you are dancing at an all night party or wedding, or working extra hours, Your cat will also live longer having a companion. Wow... as much as 7 years longer - the studies say! That is sooo cool and who doesn't want their child with fur around as long as possible. It is very hard to keep a single kitten occupied, safe and happy while you are busy with your daily life. Behavior problems sometimes arise if a cat is bored. Biting, scratching, pouncing,
Cats like to hunt at night; so lone kittens/cats will "hunt" their owners by pouncing whatever may move beneath the sheets. This means unwanted scratching and biting in the middle of the night and you, up at 2 AM.
Kittens need and want interaction with other kittens. This is how they learn how to play, hunt, and be physically, emotionally, and socially well-adjusted cats. There is another 'Old Wives Tale' that you are better off getting litter mates and we don't agree at all! Being alone is very hard on most cats and most people too! A cat living alone will generally put up some resistance when another cat is introduced into their terratory(home) but that is because they are at first afraid that they are being replaced. Finally, your cats don't have to be two females. Our experience(over twenty two years doing cats) has shown us that female cats are generally more territorial than male cats. Males are also usually more passive and subservient than female cats. This means that two female cats each want to be the boss and they also compete with each other for your attention. Male cats even though they are bigger, will defer to female cats. Boy cats like to pal around and play and sleep with each other. They too want your attention but they will let their buddy have some attention too.
 
|
Actually, you won't need two litter pans until you are living with three cats or more. I say three or more because once you get the second cat, and you have the room you might be tempted, even compelled to get another cat. After all, that wonderful unconditional love is the best!!!
The biggest reason of all is that your cat will be much happier, and live lots longer with another cat or two. Cats are social creatures even though we all have been told that they should live alone, and will fight with other cats who impose on their territory. That story is just an "Old Wives Tale" and it just isn't true!!! All cats prefer and need the company of other cats.
that her cat howled each time she left her home and until she came home. She did not know what to do but as soon as we placed another kitten with her, the howling stopped the next day and has never returned. The cats keep each other company, and out of trouble too!
you will know that your cat has a friend to keep him from pacing or crying! 
and marking are behaviors resulting from boredom! Chewing plants, climbing drapes, climbing furniture, unrolling toilet paper, chewing electric cords, licking electric sockets and even hanging from the chandelier are also the domain of a bored cat! Kittens are born in litters and are used to companionship right from the beginning. Cats really are social animals and are truly happier living with other cat companions. Think big cats; lions for example live in large groups called prides...so a single kitty will be lonely! When you want to pay the bills, talk on the phone, help your children with homework, make dinner etc. that lonely cat can be too demanding for your time and attention.
Another "old wives tale" says that your cat will not love you as much if you get another cat. Not so! Your cat Will still love you as much, and most of the time he would still rather play with you than with another cat and, besides, he will bring his new friend along to play with you too! Now you will have two cats that cherish and love you unconditionally, and who want you to love and adore them!
Cats tend to sleep up to 18 hours a day and are most active at night. Two cats keep each other company even at night and you will be able to sleep yourself. One cat may decide that you need to play and there goes your good nights' sleep!
Two cats/kittens will practice hunting with each other and will even turn this into a game. Vigorous playing will result in needed exercise and their falling asleep too.
Many cats that "play rough" do so because they did not learn that their claws and teeth hurt, because the consequences were never received if they hurt another kitten (or because their humans allowed these behaviors to occur when the kitten was growing up). Kittens learn during normal kitten wrestling and biting that biting and scratching hurt and they 
teach each other not to bite too hard or they will be bitten back. This is just part of natural kitten development!
Once your cat sees that the new cat or kitten is going to stay and that they are not being 'put out' their curiosity kicks in. The two cats will get to know each other and soon, they will become friends. How many people, after all, have siblings who they tolerate while someone else is their 'best friend'?
the person to have a beer and to sit down and pet him. A female will, on the other hand, head for the bedroom and tell you to let her know when the company is gone. We strongly believe that two cats are better than one. We also believe that two boy cats or a boy and a girl cat is the best to have.