One kitten or two?

[Elianor]

Last month my family lost our cat...to old age. She was about 19 years old and crawled up in my lap and died. It was sad, but we kind of knew it was coming...at 19 it's hard not to know and she'd slowed down a lot the past few years.

So, now we need a new housecat. We have a german shepherd who will want to play with any new animal brought in the house and we have a 9 year old and an almost 4 year old.

I find myself unable to make a decision. I want to make a good choice for our family dynamic so I'm afraid to just walk into the pound for fear I will make an emotional decision rather than a reasonable one.

Should I wait til summer and get a couple of kittens, should I look for a slightly older kitten (6 to 8 months?).

The kids have never been around kittens and it will be much fun for them to have an animal that wants to play with them (I admit I'm looking forward to having a playful cat again as well) but I know that this cat or these cats will be my charge for the next 15 to 20 years and that I will be the caretaker.

What do you guys think out there in dis-board-land? I could just use some other opinions about now.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Are you planning any vacations this summer? Maybe wait until after that?

We always get 2 kittens from the same litter when we get cats.

 

[Elianor]

We are going to disney in August...but we would probably get someone in to check on the kittens if we had any at that time.

I have a couple of co-workers with kids who are always looking to earn a few dollars and they are responsible enough to actually stop by if asked to do so.

I hate to wait so long, partially because the longer we go without a cat, the more my husband gets used to it!

 

[catherinesmom]

I would go with two kittens from the same litter as well. We did this when our old cat passed away two years ago, and it has proven to be a great decision. They play with each other, cuddle with each other, bathe each other, sleep with each other, etc. They still get along great with everyone else in the house (kids, dogs, us), but they have a unique bond that is pretty cool to watch.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

Cats love having campanions. I wouldn't hesitate...adopt 2.

They really do make the best of friends together.

Right now is the start of "kitten season." You shouldn't have any troubles finding two from the same litter.

 

[Elianor]

Well, that verifies what I was thinking as well. I guess I just needed some outside justification.

As for kitten season, yep, and we will be starting to look around May, I think.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

We are going to disney in August...but we would probably get someone in to check on the kittens if we had any at that time.

I have a couple of co-workers with kids who are always looking to earn a few dollars and they are responsible enough to actually stop by if asked to do so.

I hate to wait so long, partially because the longer we go without a cat, the more my husband gets used to it!

August is almost back to school time. I would just start looking around now for litters. Pet adoptions go on all the time or contact your vet.

 

[luvmy3jewels]

My advice would be to get two, preferably from the same litter. With your household (young kids and a GSD), personality would be the most important factor. I have three cats and one was extremely shy and skittish acting when I picked her out, and she is still shy and skittish around my kids and dogs at home. Our best cat picked us out. We went to look at the litter and this kitten immediately walked up to my kids and started begging for their attention. She still does that at home and has never met a stranger.

Good luck!

 

[marie1203]

We have 2. we rescue our cat first and he was never too playful so the vet suggested another cat. And they love each other he has come out of his shell and now he loves to play and run around. We adopted both of our cats around the age of 3.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

Our 18 yr. old cat passed away in Nov. We got a new kitten (9 weeks old) just a few weeks later. Part of me wishes we had waited a little longer b/c we were still grieving. But, we love our new kitten. We only got one and we didn't like her two siblings b/c they were really dominant and pushy with her. I had heard that if you get 2 cats they won't interact as much with humans but I don't know if this is really true.

We are going to WDW in June and she will be 8 mos. and I am already worried about leaving her at home, even with people to check on her. So, I guess it's something to think about if you are going on vacation. Two would keep each other company while you are gone.

 

[scrapquitler]

Last month my family lost our cat...to old age. She was about 19 years old and crawled up in my lap and died. It was sad, but we kind of knew it was coming...at 19 it's hard not to know and she'd slowed down a lot the past few years.

So, now we need a new housecat. We have a german shepherd who will want to play with any new animal brought in the house and we have a 9 year old and an almost 4 year old.

I find myself unable to make a decision. I want to make a good choice for our family dynamic so I'm afraid to just walk into the pound for fear I will make an emotional decision rather than a reasonable one.

Should I wait til summer and get a couple of kittens, should I look for a slightly older kitten (6 to 8 months?).

The kids have never been around kittens and it will be much fun for them to have an animal that wants to play with them (I admit I'm looking forward to having a playful cat again as well) but I know that this cat or these cats will be my charge for the next 15 to 20 years and that I will be the caretaker.

What do you guys think out there in dis-board-land? I could just use some other opinions about now.

I think it depends on what kind of cat you want. Do you want a cat that will be more independent or do you want a cuddly sit on your lap kind of cat?
We have always had lap cats, and we always get them as very young kittens and kind of train them to be lap cats.

About a year and a half ago, we decided to get TWO kittens. They were 7 weeks old when we got them, and they are from the same litter (and almost impossible to tell apart except for the fact that they have different color eyes...they are both solid white). Anyway, they always played together and slept together and still do. I think that because they had one another and got all the loving cuddly attention from one another, they didn't see it out from the human people in the house like all our other cats always did. To this day, they do NOT want to be held. Ever. They don't sit with us, they hang around with one another and not our other cats.

So I think if you want cats that will sit on your lap all the time, get just one. If you want them to be on their own and not in the middle of what you are doing, give them a buddy from the get go.

 

[Wishing on a star]

For some reason, I am thinking two kittens as well.

The kittens will have each other as they transition into a situaton with a big dog and two kids. I think it is most common for kittens from the same litter to really love on each other! Nothing cuter than two kittens pouncing and rolling and playing!

And, I would not assume that two kittens means you won't have lap-kitties.
My MIL has cats, from the same litter, and while they are independent and interact with each other, they also can be very territorial about each one claiming her lap!!!

If you trip is in August, getting new kitty(s) soon would be plenty of time for them be well adjusted and know you are their family before you leave them to be cared for by others while you are gone.

 

[dakcp2001]

We got 2 kittens, they are brothers! They are definately lap cats. For some reason, although I got them, pay for their food, feed them, clean their litter, and handle all the cat related duties cuz they are " MY CATS" they still seem to prefer my husband. Makes me so mad! They will both sit in his lap at the same time. If he is not home, they will settle for me. lol.

I love them though, they play and sleep together. And when we are at work they are not lonely.

 

[alex9179]

My parents have 3 cats, 2 of which are from the same litter. They cuddle together in the winter but they also take turns loving up on my parents. It's more about the cats' personalities, I think, than not bonding.

After my kitty died, I told DH that when we were meant to have another it would find us. A few months passed and my GSD heard her plaintive meows, paced and worried until I found the kitten and brought her over. They've been best friends ever since and our kitty is wonderful. Well-behaved and sweet Can my dog pick 'em or what?

As the PP pointed out, 2 kittens playing together is so darn cute! I wouldn't hesitate if it was doable.