Looking For A New Furry Friend?: Why You Should Consider Adopting Two Kittens, Instead Of Just One

Bringing a new fur-baby into your life is always a big decision, with lots of smaller factors to also consider. I lost my nearly 19 year old cat, Boo, in early January.

By March, I began to think that I may be ready for a new kitten, so made plans to attend an adoption event run by Peninsula Cat Rescue. My new baby, Cookie, now renamed Pebbles, was a planned adoption.

Her new brother, Dante, now named La Mau or Maui, was not so much.

While I and my family have owned two cats at a time before, this was our first experience with bringing home two kittens. I have to say, we have been fully converted to the idea of bringing two kittens home together.

Here's why you should consider adopting two kittens rather than just one, based on my family's experience with Pebbles and Maui, and other facts I've learned along the way.

'Single Kitten Syndrome' can be a genuine problem.

If you truly only have room for one cat in your life, I'm not here to shame you, just be aware of the problems you may face. 'Single Kitten' syndrome can occur when a kitten does not have a playmate to test their limits with. This can lead to undesirable behaviours such as rough play with owners, biting too hard, or destructive tendencies.

This can be mitigated with lots of play and reinforcement of desired behaviour, however this may be difficult if you have a busier lifestyle and less time to spend with a kitten. You may be more suited to a young adult cat.

Two Kittens aren't that much more work than one

A little extra feeding, and a few more visits to the litter tray, but that's about it. In fact, two kittens may actually be a little less work than one.

Cats are actually very social creatures

Many people choose to keep a cat as a pet due to the relative independence. While it's true that adult cats generally require less time and energy from their human companions than most dogs (do not take this statement as gospel, every individual animal is different) that does not necessarily mean that they prefer being alone.

Feral Cats are often found living in colonies, and there is a reason for this. Despite their reputation as independent, cats are naturally social, with feral mothers often raising their kittens together.

Kittens raised together in a home will play together, groom each other, and sometimes even sleep together. They will keep each other company when their humans are out, and hopefully keep each other out of trouble. Some cats will even bond closely enough that they should not be separated if they were to be rehomed.

There's nothing better than watching two kittens play

There is so much joy, fun, and laughter in watching bonded kittens play.. and that's just the benefit for their humans. Play is a necessary part of a kitten's life and development. It allows them the chance to exercise, socialise, and stretch their hunting muscles.

Kitten play may look a little rough if you aren't used to it. It was certainly an adjustment for my family. However, this kind of chasing, wrestling play is how kittens learn not to hurt each other, and so long as there is no screaming, screeching, or obviously unsheathed claws, its probably all good. Your two kittens can keep each other occupied until the humans have time to play. Another bonus, if you have an existing adult cat, the little ones will often keep each other out of the elder’s fur.

We have a worldwide cat overpopulation problem

Cats can breed from a young age, and produce multiple litters of kittens per year. Rescues and shelters are overwhelmed and full to the brim with adoptable cats and kittens, to the point that some even need to make the tough choice to turn down new animals needing help. There are simply too many kittens and not enough homes for them.

If an adopter takes two kittens, that's two new spaces that have opened up in a shelter or rescue for kittens still in need of help to find a home. So next time you're on the hunt for a new kitten, and your living situation allows, consider a pair. And if you happen to be in Melbourne, Victoria, maybe check out Peninsula Cat Rescue. Otherwise, check out your own local rescue groups.

Enjoy your new fluffballs!