Two kittens - brother and sister?

KateySW

Hi all,

I'm about to venture into the wonderful world of [STRIKE]kitten ownership[/STRIKE] being owned by a kitten in the next month or so, and I'm VERY excited! :j
A friend of mine is currently fostering two kittens (boy and a girl) at the moment - they were dumped at the side of the road in a box when they were 5 weeks old but they are healthy and happy under the care of my friend now, thank goodness.

Now, when I spoke to her about adopting one of the kittens, she said the boy was still available, so I jumped at the chance and said that I would adopt him. Since then, she's told me that unfortunately the girl is now probably going to be available again too, because someone is possibly going to drop out...
I'm very tempted to get the two of them together, as I do think having a friend when they move to a new home, especially after such a bad start, would be good for them. Both me and my OH work full-time, but OH has very flexible hours (and can work remotely quite often) and I only live a 25 minute walk/ 8 minute drive from my office. I asked my friend if they seemed very close and cuddly with each other and she said quite a bit but she couldn't guarantee that they'd still want to be friends as they grow up or that they'd appreciate living together more or not than any other cat in the future. In her own words, "cats are weird..." :rotfl:

I've had a cat but when I was younger, and he seemed very happy being a solo cat. But I'm wondering what anyone else thinks about the possibility of getting two and how it's worked out if they have kittens from the same litter? Also, is a boy and girl mix generally a good one?

Thanks!

mark55man

We had two kittens 12 years ago - they were sisters. I would say go for 2 - they really don't need a lot of looking after - why we went for cats.

We later got a boy kitten who was a bit of a tom cot TBH even though we had him done!!. I think they will develop their own way of coping. It was worse when the boy was 6-18 months old but then it calmed down. Sadly he was disappeared about his 3rd birthday :-(

Ours largely get on fine - although one is upstairs cat and one is downstairs cat. occasionally they get a bit grumpy with each other

Robin9

2 is much better than one. They will be fine - I've only had two cats in recent years - both rescued.

They have a cat version of tag at 3 in the morning - they seem to know the rules

LutonGirl

I was going to have just one - a poor little rescue kitty born with a leg missing - and ended up with him and his sister - and it was (and is) the best thing ever. Mine are best buds and she washes his face on the side where he doesn't have a paw. They amused each other no end and continue to do so.

Both adorable and now nearly 8 years old, they are a great double act. His face is my avatar here.

I'd only had adult rescued cats before I got these two and wasn't sure about kittens at all, but it all worked out. I now have another rescue - he was only about 5 weeks old when someone found him and gave him to me - my older two have adopted him. Have to say the single kitten is much harder work and much naughtier than those two ever were.

PS: don't forget to get them neutered! I had mine done the minute they were eligible. Didn't want any accidents.

paddypaws101

Obviously there is no guarantee that they will always get along but I do think there is a better chance of siblings getting on than if you were to introduce an outsider at a later date.
You know of course to get them neutered, and I would suggest finding a vet that will do it at 4 months as cats can indeed get pregnant at that age.
Also, be aware that cats reach a 'social maturity' around the age of 2 and this time can mark a change in their inter-cat relationships. Guard against falling out by always providing plentiful and separate resources for the 2 cats.....extra litter trays if those are used, always feed separately ( in fact consider microchip feeders so each cat has their own bowl) plenty of separate beds and hideaways including raised level beds.

Tammykitty

I have 2 brothers and they get on great!


They are company for each other - when they are both there, they are very content, if one is off exploring somewhere the other one becomes like a different cat - and is very affectionate and looking attention

KateySW

Thank you for all the brilliant advice everyone! It's really lovely to hear so many of you have had great experiences of having kittens from the same litter. I think the plan was always that we'd have more than one cat in the future, so if the dynamic works well and it's easier for them to be together at an early age, I'm more than happy with that. Really love the idea actually

I'd definitely be getting them neutered the moment it's allowed to do so. I'll ask the local vet how early I'd be able to get this done.

I've had another message from my friend this afternoon updating me... it does seem that the girl kitten is now available again. Which is a real shame in a way for the person who has had to drop out, but I am secretly a little thrilled... Seems I'll be having double trouble in the house now!! :heart2:

lavvy

I was in the exactly the same position, the only difference being that there were three in the litter.
For me it was a case of heart ruling the head. When I went to view them they were feeding from mum then went and snuggled in the corner to sleep. I just couldn't bare to separate them, I was worried about one being alone without it's siblings. In my opinion, if you are going to be controlled by one cat you may as well be controlled by three for a bit of variation.:A

room512

We got two girls from the same litter. On June 11th they will be 1. Can't believe we've had them that long but get more sleep now than at the beginning. They are inseparable and if one wants to know where the other is they cry and then the other one comes running!
Thought I'd post two recent photos, they are called Tess and Claudia. They no longer have collars as they keep losing them! Claudia is the top photo and Tess is the lower.

KateySW

Awwwww Room512, they're gorgeous! :smileyhea

Thanks so much for the wise words, counting down the days until I can bring them home now. I know I'm definitely going to be their human slave and I can't wait!

Will try to upload some pictures when they arrive!

ERICS_MUM

Room512, good on you for adopting little black kitties - they are the most difficult to get adopted for some reason. I love them for their shiny coats and their eyes which shine out brightly from the dark faces.