One cat, or two?

Sandrock

SWMBO and I are in the process of looking for kittens. We live in a ground floor garden apartment in a village location - we intend to keep the cats mainly indoors, but they will have access to our garden occasionally. The reason for this is that we live on a road which is busy for two times a day only (rush hour), all low-speed traffic but quite a bit of it between 7-9am and 5-7pm.

We are both professionals and work. There is usually no one in the house between 7.30am and 4.30pm. I work in a school so have the school holidays off.

The cat/cats will have plenty of space in our apartment - it is a Victorian conversion and a decent size.

We are not sure whether to get one cat or two. We originally decided on two, so they can keep each other company thoughout the day. However, we have been looking since September and have not found any that match what we're looking for yet! Both myself and my girlfriend have had cats in the past that have lived alone with no problem.

The advantages of a single cat, as far as I can see, are:

1/ Less fighting/play fighting and less noise for our neighbours.
2/ Increased chance of finding what we're looking for
3/ Less initial outlay (or spend the same as two moggies on a pedigree).
4/ Lower ongoing costs, food, insurance and so on.

We're mainly looking at Maine Coon or Ragdoll cats (or cross breeds) and looking for a quiet, loving cat that will spend a lot of time asleep, but also be playful on occasion. We're also looking at adoption but this depends on how many hoops they want us to jump through.

Two cats would be ideal, but I'm worried that spending most of the time indoors, they might get fed up with each other and they won't have quite enough room for each to have their own territory which may cause problems down the line.

What are you thoughts?

spike7451

Why a kitten? I got Daisy in Sept,she's 3 y/o & the ASSISI had lot's of cat's her age.They have no bother rehoming kittens but not many want an older cat.
She's an indoor cat with no problems,the advantage getting an older cat is they're already house & litter trained,especially as you both work, so no coming home to 'little presents'...
If you're going to get a pair,a neautered/spayed brother & sister would work well.

Have a look on 'Purrs' for good cat advice.

http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/index.php

Claire_Bear

If you're out for a large period of time in which the cat would be kept indoors then I'd suggest getting two cats. As long as you had multiple litter trays, food bowls, beds etc then there shouldn't be too much dispute over territory as each cat would have their own stuff. If you do decide to go with a rescue I've seen a lot of cats advertised on rehoming websites that must only be rehomed as a pair. The best way to find out what requiremements they have is to ring them up, they'll be happy to answer any questions you have, and if it doesn't work out then at least you asked. Here's a link to pedigree rescue centres in the UK (including ragdoll and maine coon) http://www.catchat.org/adoption/pedigree.html You'd be surprised how many pedigree cats are looking for loving homes.

Good luck with your search whatever you decide

ka7e

Re pedigree cats. Breeders usually "retire" their breeding queens after a few litters - well, the good ones do! If you take one on, you are often one of the first people they contact if they have more for re-homing. You may be offered one that just isn't a good mother, but they will all be used to livung in a multi-cat household.

Often the cost is nominal and you have to have them neutered if they haven't already been done.

Fire_Fox

Sandrock wrote: »

SWMBO and I are in the process of looking for kittens. We live in a ground floor garden apartment in a village location - we intend to keep the cats mainly indoors, but they will have access to our garden occasionally. The reason for this is that we live on a road which is busy for two times a day only (rush hour), all low-speed traffic but quite a bit of it between 7-9am and 5-7pm.

We are both professionals and work. There is usually no one in the house between 7.30am and 4.30pm. I work in a school so have the school holidays off.

The cat/cats will have plenty of space in our apartment - it is a Victorian conversion and a decent size.

We're mainly looking at Maine Coon or Ragdoll cats (or cross breeds) and looking for a quiet, loving cat that will spend a lot of time asleep, but also be playful on occasion. We're also looking at adoption but this depends on how many hoops they want us to jump through.

Two cats would be ideal, but I'm worried that spending most of the time indoors, they might get fed up with each other and they won't have quite enough room for each to have their own territory which may cause problems down the line.

What are you thoughts?

I recently adopted an indoor cat to live with me in my city centre flat: I was given excellent advice by local branch of Cats Protection (local RSPCA snotty about indoor cats so 'shop around'). If you are stable (own home) there are definitely rescues that will consider your circumstances.

As you work full time you don't really have the time to entertain kittens, you could easily find they get bored and naughty if they are confined to inside. You would be more likely to suit an adult cat with a health condition that means they need to remain inside (FIV, FeLV, partially sighted, deaf) or even a sedate elderly cat or two. Sometimes the rescue will cover the health condition which will save you money.

Leaving one cat alone for long periods stuck with four walls might be a bit cruel, mine doesn't get on with other cats and dogs but I only work part-time. I would say he needs regular 'entertainment' and going away for even a weekend is a major consideration! If you have outside space you should use it, have you considered cat-proofing the garden? If so you would have more options, you could have a wider choice of rescue cats and would have the space for two cats.

There are breed rescues that might have the ideal cat for you, or you could try Cat Chat or Purrsinourhearts. I also highly recommend the Purrs shop which has the BEST toys for indoor cats - check out Da Bird and Bergan Turbo Track:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIgdVucDeVU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIgdVucDeVU

rita-rabbit

I think - siblings is best.

Failing that an elderly/sick cat could cope for long periods but personally I think two is kinder (all cats play fight - helps with exercise!)

kjmtidea

I'd say 2, we have 2 male kittens who are brothers and they have so much fun together that I can't imagine having just 1.

Apricot

I have two, one male & one female Missy & Coco. When I first got Coco (due to being worried Missy was bored on her own) they weren't particularly interested in each other & used to practically ignore each other unless they were fighting. However, over the last few months they seem to have grown really close - wherever you find one you will find the other.

They run wild with each other in my flat & when we play with them with their toys, they work as a team to "catch their pray", its so funny to watch. My two don't go out as I live in an upstairs flat near a dual carriageway but recently Missy went missing for a few days. Coco sat by the door practically all day crying for Missy to come home, it was awful to see but it shows he really did miss her.

Let us know what you decide x

paddypaws101

I think 2, for all the above reasons but also so you each get one to sit on your knee of an evening...or warm your toes in bed!
Do look in to cat proofing the garden so that they can have an outside space, I have seen several interesting systems advertised on here. I know lots of cats are just fine indoors, in fact some HAVE to stay indoors, but there can be an increased risk of immune and behavioural problems. Also litter trays are NOT the most delightful part of the equation. My garden is pretty much cat proofed nowadays, the cats pooh in the flower beds and I do a weekly cleanup which is flushed down the loo, easy.

h007

I got 1 cat initially but then thought she was getting too bored while we were out and so got her a companion.
after 2 months they are still not getting on that well.

so my advice is if getting 2 get them together so they already get on ok!

KiKi

Things to bear in mind:
* Many adoption places will not let you take a kitten unless you're around during the day
* It's FAR kinder to get two cats / kittens; one cat, alone all day on its own without outdoor access needs companionship. Sibling kittens, or cats that are already used to each other is far better
* Two cats really don't make that much noise for your neighbours so it's not really a disadvantage

I would STRONGLY advocate going to a shelter to get a pet. At the moment, the Cats Protection League, and places like Battersea Dog and Cat home are absolutely DESPERATE to home abandoned cats and kittens. They have been overwhelmed with abandoned animals as a result of Christmas and the recession. Consider a cat if you only want one; it's not fair to a kitten to not be around for it.

Don't worry about the territory thing. If the cats are already together and used to each other, that won't be a problem; it's only when you introduce two cats later on in life that it becomes an issue. My two are sisters and still playfight - even fight - but they live together fine (am also in a Victorian conversion, ground floor on a main road!). Plenty of animal rescue places have cats that have been abandoned, or their elderly owner has died, and they want to keep the cats together.

Eg:
http://www.foalfarm.org.uk/cats/list_cats

On page 2 there are kittens they want to rehome together - I haven't looked any further, but they have 7 pages of cats who are desperate for a home.

As for costs, if you're concerned that a disadvantage will be that two cats will be expensive, I wouldn't even be considering a Maine Coon or a Ragdoll!! Pedigrees are notorious for getting ill, being ill, costing more to insure, vet bills and the costs of specialist food (Maine Coons esp) if you're feeding them properly.

HTH
KiKi