Studies have shown families who adopt two kittens from the same litter are far more likely to keep those cats in their home long-term than families adopting a single kitten. Most adult cats, in contrast, are not very tolerant of other adult cats outside their family group.
Your kittens might enjoy having an affectionate grooming and napping partner. As well as having someone to play with and learn from, siblings can also offer affection to each other. By rehoming in pairs, your new kitten will have someone to clean or to clean them as well as someone to cuddle during nap time.
Just like humans, kittens have an easier time feeling comfortable trying something new if they've got a friend to do it with them. Bonded Pair Adoption - It's easier to adopt a bonded pair than it is to introduce a new cat later. Adopting a dynamic duo ensures that you'll have a harmonious home for years to come!
If you have a young cat at home and want a second, consider adopting one kitten of the opposite sex, as same-sex cats are much more prone to fight each other for dominance.
Cats have an average of four to eight kittens per litter, although it's normal to encounter larger and smaller litters. For example, first-time cat moms often have just two or three kittens. In case you're curious, the largest litter of kittens on record was a group of 19, born in 1970.
Follow this simple rule: one box per cat, plus one extra. So if you have two cats, you should have three boxes. Making sure everyone has their space can help ease elimination issues. Some owners prefer a hooded box, but some cats don't like them.
Single kitten syndrome is the idea that young kittens, when raised with other young kittens and cats and then adopted into a home by themselves, can become aggressive, anxious, stressed, and even develop behavioral issues like inappropriate chewing/scratching and inappropriately using the litterbox.
Male (neutered) cats are generally believed to be more accepting of other cats, both male and female. Even though this has not been my experience, female cats may not get along as well with each other.
The ideal number of litter boxes for a multi-cat household is one for each cat and an extra box more for security, however, if you cannot afford this or if your cats are trained to use one litter box, it is okay to use the regular one, but it is still best recommended to use the self-cleaning or automatic litter box as ...
They should stay with their mothers until they're around 8-9 weeks (taking them away earlier than this can lead to problems with their behaviour). A kitten should be sociable and alert, with bright eyes and no visible health problems.
In fact, experts agree that two kittens are better than one — and even three is within the bounds of reason. That's right; it's better to adopt a couple of kittens rather than an individual kitten.
Tara: So, can one kitten alone be happy? It's possible, but you'll have to work really hard to make sure the kitten uses up all his energy and learns proper claws-and-teeth behavior. Two kittens can keep each other company and socialize one another through normal kitten play behavior.
Two cats - well-matched and happy
Your pets need to be well matched in personality. If you have an aggressive one and a docile one, the docile one will suffer from bullying. They should have similar energy levels, and neither should be over-territorial: they will be sharing a confined space.
Although the scientific and medical community doesn't recognize Single Kitten “Syndrome,” there are behaviors sometimes seen in single-kitten homes, including: Clinging behavior towards humans. Vocalizing excessively and seeking attention. Suckling obsessively on clothing, blankets and other pets in the household.
Kitten-Proof Your Home
Kittens between two and four months of age should only be left alone four to six hours at a time, not a full workday. When they're a little older, around six months, you can be gone all day. But they'll certainly be happier if you can check in on them at lunchtime or ask a friend to stop by.
Once you have found your litter, choose a kitten that seems happy and confident and that wants to meet and be cuddled by you keeping an eye out for aggressive or timid behaviour. If you've had pets before, you'll know they come with their own patterns of behaviour.
Kittens should look at you wide-eyed and with curiosity. Choose an adventurer. Kittens are born curious, and they spend a lot of time exploring their surroundings. Watch the kittens who pounce, play, and boldly go where no kitten has gone before-these are the ones who will be well-adjusted and fun to be with.
If your cat is an adult and is established within your home as the only cat, then you should think carefully before introducing another feline. With time it should be possible to introduce a new cat into an existing household, but this may take days, weeks, or months for a successful gradual introduction.
Male cats tend to be more social and affectionate with both humans and other cats. They commonly form strong bonds with other cats in the home, even when they are not from the same litter. Females, on the other hand, are often more standoffish. If you are looking for a cuddle bug, adopting a male may be your best bet.
You just have to be calm, encourage the cats to play and eat together, separate them if there's aggression, and BE PATIENT. The cats will need to first get used to each other, and then establish their social order in the household. But they usually DO work it out.
Don't Let Your Kitten Go Outside Unless Supervised And On Lead The outside world is full of hazards for a young cat. There are coyotes, hawks, automobiles, and dreaded diseases. Occasional excursions outside on lead are acceptable but make sure you stay with the kitten as it explores.
This means they hiss, spit, swat and smack trying to get the other cat to back off. Alternatively, these cats are often extremely overzealous players to the point of being obnoxious. They do not learn how to interpret body language, how to physically play and when to stop the game of play (i.e. when enough is enough).
Fading Kitten Syndrome refers to a kitten's failure to thrive during the period between birth and when they wean from their mother or from a bottle for hand-fed kittens. This period lasts about four to five weeks (when a kitten is most vulnerable to sickness).