Do bottle babies need companions?

Hi!

New to the site, so I apologize if I've asked in the wrong place.  I have one bottle kitten now between 5-6 weeks old.  He was one of 3, but lost his two siblings to catastrophic illness.  (thought I'd lost him too for a while).  He's well now, and very bonded to me.  A friend of a friend happens to be looking for a home for a bottle-baby the same age.  I know that social skills in bottle-babies can be . . . er . . . odd.  Is it a good idea to bring the second bottle baby into the house?  Lazarus (my kitten) is alone several hours a day during the week, and I thought a companion might be good for him, and since there's no mother to separate the other kitten from, I'd thought the sooner the better.  Also okay with being a 1 cat household, mostly looking for input from people who are more in the know than I.  Is it wise to bring in a second one?  Is Lazarus better off, since he's so bonded to me, being an only kitty?

Thanks!

Since he's still quite young its likely he'll be able to bond with another kitten fairly easily eithout damaging his bond with you. It may also be a good idea because, as you mentioned, bottle babies can have odd social skills and at leadt the two of them will grow up used to eachothers oddities. Since they are still so young, though, I would make sure the new kitten gets a clean bill of health before introductions. You don't want to risk another illness.

Yes! It is always better for little orphan babies to have another kitten with them. It won't diminish your bond and it prevents lots of bad behavior down the road and also gives you a break from being your kitty's constant companion.

I know because I have a one year old cat who was a lil orphan and just won't give me a break when I'm home (ball tracks and flies or crickets that get inside are my saviors, he will entertain himself for awhile on those). And it was a long struggle to teach him to inhibit his play biting.

I do my best, but I always wished I could've got him a brother or sister to grow up with, but my apartment has a one cat policy. Once I move though, I plan on getting a friend for him.

So if I were you, I would take the other bottle baby.

Totally agree. It would be extremely beneficial for Lazarus to have a feline buddy. He is at a wonderful age where is beginning to imprint proper cat behavior and you will not regret having the second kitten around to help learn how to play appropriately. Agree that the sooner you can get the second kitten, the better!

And, yes, always a good idea to have a wellness exam done at the vet before introducing new cats into the home. Both kittens should be big enough (size wise) to be combo tested for FIV and Leukemia. Negative will be negative, a positive could mean they still have mom's antibodies (if the mom were positive for either.)

Good luck!