New kittens and older cats - better to get 2 or 1?

amysthompson

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I have two adult male cats (ages 6 and 4) - both are very nice/layed back boys. They do go outside on the weekends when we are home and also at night after work (they come in and out constantly and then in for good at bedtime). They are great kitties and I'd hate to disrupt the balance or be unfair to them.

However, I am a total softy - while at the vet the other day I saw 2 kittens (approx 11/12 wks old) in need of homes. One is male (the more outgoing kitty) and the other is female - they are not litter mates, but are together and completely comfortable w/each other.

My question - 1) would it be a good idea to adopt a new kitten at all ?
2) would it be better for my adult boys to adopt one or both?
3) if better to adopt one - my thought would be the male, since they currently get along well w/male cats (3 other male neighbor cats that they play with).
4) I would plan to keep the kitten(s) inside at least for another 6 months or more - would they have a hard time staying in while the others go out?
Thanks for any advice/comments!
 

goldenkitty45

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Personally I'd adopt both kittens as they can keep each other company compared to the older ones.

I'm assuming these kittens will be (or already are) spayed and neutered before you take them home. I'd keep ALL cats inside the house for awhile when you go thru introductions with everyone. This will prevent the older ones from getting too upset and maybe not wanting to come back inside.

When they go out, are they confined to your yard or allowed to roam unsupervised?
 

blueyes

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I'm no expert in this department but I think the personality of the cats is something to watch for when inviting a new member into the family. I had the choice between two kittens one was shy and the other very open. I selected the more open one because my one cat is a bully and I didn't want her to be intimidated. It worked out great, she put him in line the first day they were introduced!lol
Both boys are fine with the female kitten and usually two are playing while one is doing his/her own thing. More entertainment for them as well as less co dependancy.
 

white cat lover

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I think, when adopting a new kitten(s)....always get 2 if you have kitties over 1 year of age. Kittens are annoying, it helps that there is another annoying kitten to play with!
 

EnzoLeya

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Originally Posted by white cat lover

I think, when adopting a new kitten(s)....always get 2 if you have kitties over 1 year of age. Kittens are annoying, it helps that there is another annoying kitten to play with!
Very true! You're kitten could get really lonely not having anyone to play with, or your adults could get really cranky being bothered constantly by the youngster.
 
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amysthompson

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Thank you all for your feedback, I am also leaning towards adopting the two together now - it just makes sense.
To answer the question about my older boys that go outside - it was a very gradual/supervised processed to begin with when we originally let them out (first we waited until we had lived in our house for about 6 months, then took them out for brief periods, followed them everywhere, and continued to bring them back to our 'turf' if they went out of the yard. We are lucky to live at the end of a cul de sac too. Now, they are great and 99% of the time when they go out they are either on the deck, porch, top of car, or under trees/bushes in our yard. Occasionally they will go to the neighbors yard, and usually only when we are outside too. They are great kitties.
I will see the kittens again tonight w/my family - hopefully I can convince them
 
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