Your thoughts on getting 2 sibling kittens?

peeps

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We're thinking about finding someone with a litter of kittens and getting 2 brothers or sisters. A woman I work with got 2 brothers and said that worked out really well for her. Any ideas on getting siblings? What are your thoughts on boy cats vs. girl cats? Any behavior problems with getting siblings?
 

pushylady

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I think it's a great idea to get two cats at the same time. Whether or not they're related doesn't really matter as they'll grow up as brothers and sisters. That way they have company, and you're giving a good home to 2 cats.
 

purity

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Excelent idea!


Max and Alfie are littermates and get along great together, always playing, chasing or sleeping together
 

yosemite

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We've never had more than one cat until Bijou and Mika and now I wonder why we never did. They are wonderful company for each other and it's a beautiful sight to see them curled up sleeping together or grooming each other.
 
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peeps

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Wow thanks, this makes me feel way more confident about getting two. Is there any difference between boys and girls as far as behavior etc?

I'm going to pick up the book "Kittens for Dummies" today and read that so we can be prepared for when we go to find our kittens.
 

yosemite

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Originally Posted by peeps

Wow thanks, this makes me feel way more confident about getting two. Is there any difference between boys and girls as far as behavior etc?
I honestly don't think there is a difference - I've had affectionate females and affectionate males and not so affectionate males. I think it really depends on the cat - some will be affectionate and lap cats and others are more independent.

I will say one thing though and I truly believe it. I believe a cat chooses you, that is, when you see the kittens/cats, the one that is meant for you will somehow show you and you will feel the connection.

If you are getting 2 kittens I would even suggest you and your mate go together to "let the kittens choose each of you".
 
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peeps

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Nice idea to have them choose you. I talked to another lady at work today and she said she wouldn't get a boy ever again cuz she had a problem with one that sprayed. Is that a common problem?
 

opiebopie

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I have 3 brothers and it is great. They get along beautifully.
 

zak&rocky

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My experience is that females tend to be more cautious and wary of other cats and people. Males seem to be more brave, but play a lot tougher. My boys are very friendly. I just got a girl kitten and she is way different than her bro. She is sweet in her own way, and I think she is gorgeous. Her bro is going to another home- it keeps getting delayed. I think if you can get two at time it's a great idea regardless of sex. Just be careful to get at least one of them spayed/neutured before maturity so you don't end up with a unplanned, inbred pregnancy.
 

crittermom

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I will say one thing though and I truly believe it. I believe a cat chooses you, that is, when you see the kittens/cats, the one that is meant for you will somehow show you and you will feel the connection.
How true!!!!! We had been looking around for so long for a kitten and we could never find one that seemed "right" for us.We went to a park and low and behold there was Blaze....the PERFECT kitten for us.She had a litter mate with her, but it was already dead from starvation.We brought her home and it has been WONDERFUL having her here with us.I believe in my heart that she chose us and that we were meant to go to the park that day.
 

beckiboo

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I foster kittens, and sometimes you get littermates who are exceptionally close. I think you will find two babies who are meant to stay together, and will make them a good home.

I think boy kitties are more lovey dovey, and sweet. Girls are cleaner. I think the best combination is one of each.

I have always been AFRAID of having a male spray, but I think if you neuter them young there is less risk. Also, read the thread about inappropriate urination, and you will be prepared to nip a problem in the bud if it develops.
 

semiferal

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Oooh, do it, do it, do it!!!

Ask the shelter workers or foster caregivers which kittens are most bonded to each other. That's the pair to get - regardless of gender. You'll have so much fun with them!
 

madpiano

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I have a kitten at the moment, but I am at work all day and I feel sorry for him (no, it wasn't my idea to get a kitten instead of a cat), so I keep thinking I should get another one. Is that ok ? The other one will obviosuly be 2 or 3 weeks younger, does that make a difference ? And the kitten I have is a 12 week old tom-cat. Are they territorial at that age, or will they just accept any playmate ?
 

mirinae

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Madpiano, we got Spike and Oz almost a year apart, and they're the best of friends. As long as you take pains to introduce them carefully (and this forum is full of advice on that topic!), I don't think you'd have too much trouble. But get the tomcat neutered! (He will be territorial, he will spray, and if you get a female cat ... well, you get kittens.)

In my experience, female cats seem to mature faster. Now, that might be social bias, as I know human females are considered to mature faster, and I could just be projecting that knowledge onto my cats. However, when we lived with our former roommates, they had a female calico and we had a male tabby, and while they were fairly close in age, the calico certainly seemed to grow up first!

I have heard that it can sometimes be hard to introduce female cats--to another female cat, or to a male cat, it doesn't seem to matter--whereas male cats have an easier time of it. I'm not sure if this is true (I would have expected more dominance issues between male cats than between female ones), but this is what I've been told.
 

pombina

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Originally Posted by madpiano

I have a kitten at the moment, but I am at work all day and I feel sorry for him (no, it wasn't my idea to get a kitten instead of a cat), so I keep thinking I should get another one. Is that ok ? The other one will obviosuly be 2 or 3 weeks younger, does that make a difference ? And the kitten I have is a 12 week old tom-cat. Are they territorial at that age, or will they just accept any playmate ?
SCARY!!! I actually thought these were pictures of MY kitten!! Im at work and don't have any pictures on my computer to show you but oh my word they could be twins!!

I wish when we had got Sleeves we had got one of his brothers or sisters too. We talked about it at the time but didnt know cats and didnt think it was possible because we live in a top floor flat but now we regret it and are going to get a kitten for our baby to play with.
DO IT DO IT!! x
 

madpiano

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oh bubbles will be neutered, no worries. I hate the smell from Tom-Cat pee. And living in London, I don't want him to roam too far either.

That said I still find it a bit cruel. I don't seem to mind females being neutered, but male cats, I always feel like taking something away from them. Weird I guess, but it needs to be done. He is too young yet, the Vet said they do it when he is 6 months old, together with microchipping.
 
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