Kittens are a delight, but they can also be a lot of work. While I usually urge caution when adding a new cat to a home as not introducing cats correctly may result in significant behavior problems, it is better to adopt two kittens at once rather than just getting one. There are some exceptions, but if you’re thinking about adopting a kitten, get a pair of kittens instead of one.
Kittens Learn From Each Other
One of the biggest reasons to adopt two kittens instead of one is that kittens will learn how to be a cat from other cats. While the critical socialization window for cats occurs at a young age, cats still don’t fully reach social maturity until they are older. If you just have a single kitten, you risk something called single kitten syndrome.
Single kitten syndrome isn’t an actual disorder, but rather it’s a group of behaviors commonly seen together in kittens that are raised without other cats. Common behaviors seen in single kittens include:
- Rough play and play aggression
- Excessive attachment toward humans
- Conflict with other cats introduced at a later time
- Destructive behaviors like scratching furniture or chewing
- Being extra chatty
Adopting two kittens will give your kittens a playmate to learn how to appropriately interact with not only other cats, but with humans. Best of all, the kittens will teach other how to do that. Yes, there are things you can do to try to help a single kitten learn how to interact with you and solve unwanted behaviors. It’s going to be more work than just adopting two kittens and letting them both learn from each other.
Adopting Two Kittens Helps With Unwanted Behaviors
This was alluded to before, but having a second kitten can help with unwanted behaviors. Kittens need more play than adult cats. Kittens are somewhat more likely to play with solo play toys, but you need to actively play with your kitten. Kittens want to play a lot so it can be a lot for humans to manage.
If they have a playmate, you still need to do interactive play with the kittens and provide enrichment for them. However, it won’t be just on you to provide stimulation for the kittens. When your kittens get the zoomies, they can amuse each other rather than creating a trail of destruction in your home!
It can also reduce cats that are a bit too friendly toward you. Cats become very attached to us as cats are more social than we give them credit for. While it can be nice to have a shadow cat, sometimes you need a break. When your cat is looking for some love and socializing, they can turn to their feline sibling rather than going after you.
Should I Adopt Two Kittens At Once?
What if you already adopted a kitten or aren’t sure if you’re ready to adopt two kittens? Is all hope lost?
Far from it! While cats are friendlier toward other cats that are genetically related to them, you can successfully introduce a new cat to your resident cat. If you find a single kitten that is a good fit for your home, go ahead and adopt them. You can work on finding a second cat that is a good fit later. Some considerations when finding a second kitten:
- Age: Cats with too big of an age gap can be a different places developmentally. While I am a big fan of senior cats and encourage adopting a senior cat, it may not be a good idea to adopt a senior cat if you have a kitten. Finding a cat that is close in age to your kitten is more likely to be successful.
- Personality: Even if the kittens are close in age, they may have different personalities. A more active cat and a more calm cat can get along or they can antagonize each other. Consider the personality combination carefully.
- Play style: If one cat has a rough play style and the other one isn’t quite as rough, you may end up with a conflict.
- Socialization: While the kitten may be very friendly toward you, you are not a cat. Ask specifically about the kitten’s history with other cats (and dogs if you have dogs and cats in your home) as some cats prefer not being around other cats.
- Your space and resources: If you don’t have the space to set up an environment for multiple cats (which can be done even in small spaces), the resources to take care of multiple cats, or one of the cats has medical needs you can’t meet, then you may end up with trouble. In these situations, you may be better off managing a single kitten or finding a different cat whose needs you can fulfill.
In other words, adopting two kittens at the same time is a good idea, but if you change your mind later, you can get a second kitten as long as it’s well though out and you carefully introduce them. Regardless of when you adopt two kittens, you’ll be happy you did and ultimately more delighted by the love you get from both kittens.
