Should I Get Two Cats from the Same Litter? Vet-Verified Facts, Benefits & Drawbacks
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When you’re ready to bring a cat into your family, several items need to be purchased in addition to taking necessary preparations. But once you’re looking at a litter of fluffy kittens, bringing home just one can be challenging. So, why not adopt two?
Adopting two kittens from the same litter is an excellent idea! They have already formed a strong bond since birth and are likely to have a playmate for life, although this is not always the case.
But there are other very important factors to consider, which include whether owning two cats is the right choice for you and your family.
Do Sibling Cats Get Along?
The answer to this question depends on the age of the siblings; generally speaking, siblings get on really well when kittens. They start playing with each other when they are 3 to 4 weeks old, which is an essential part of socialization. Play between kittens looks like fighting, with plenty of biting and pouncing, but this is how they learn how to cat.
Until the kittens reach social maturity, which is different from sexual maturity and occurs roughly between 2 and 5 years of age, they usually get along quite well¹. But maturity tends to change the dynamics. This shift can affect the siblings' behavior, usually with more fighting for dominance. This can turn into bullying when one comes out as the leader.
So, technically, siblings do get along, but adolescence and adulthood can change this. With changes in the home, though, you can help them fight less and play more.
Can Two Sister Cats Get Along?
Once they hit social maturity, it can go either way. Some sister cats get along well, while others barely tolerate each other.
Some females might spend time ignoring each other and others fighting. But this won’t be the case for every female sibling, and some pairs will spend most of their time grooming and cuddling each other.
Can Two Brother Cats Get Along?
Raising two brothers can be hit or miss, just like with sister cats. There will definitely be jockeying for leadership because most males are also territorial. As they grow older, they might become inseparable or fight frequently.
It’s important to note that if you decide to adopt male and female siblings, you’ll need to have them neutered before they reach sexual maturity, which is around 4 months of age.
Reasons for Adopting Two Cats from the Same Litter
- The relationship between the kittens has already been established, and they will keep each other company.
- If you spend most of your time away from the home, this can help prevent your pet from being lonely and bored. A bored cat can suffer from behavioral problems.
- The two cats will play together and not entirely depend on you to entertain them. They keep each other warm when it’s cold and will groom each other, which adds a huge level of comfort.
- It will be quite beneficial when you first bring home the kittens. A lone kitten will take more time to acclimate to a new home without a familiar companion.
- Two kittens are simply adorable, and they’ll eventually be two cats curled up with each other!
Tips on Keeping a Peaceful Home With Two Sibling Cats
It’s all about territory when it comes to cats living together. This means you will need to provide each one their set of resources and spread them out in the preferred location. Remember the rule of thumb in this situation: one item per cat, plus one extra, in separate locations. This means that in a two-cat house, you should have three of everything.
Litter Boxes
When you own more than one cat, you should have one litter box per cat, plus an extra one. So, for two littermates, you need three litter boxes. These should not be kept close together. All litter boxes should be completely separated so the cats can’t see each other while using them.
When there is only one litter box for multiple cats, this can cause a great deal of stress, which can turn into serious urinary health problems. You’re less likely to encounter fights and health issues when each cat has their own bathroom space.
Food and Water
You’ll need separate food and water bowls for each cat, and these should also be kept far apart. You might even want to have more than two bowls for food.
Cats are likely to fight over resources, particularly when placed beside each other.
Pheromones
Products like Feliway Friends contain synthetic pheromones that can help cats get along better at home and it can also help reduce conflict. The product consists of a plug-in diffuser to be used where cats spend most time resting and away from open windows.
Personal Space
You must ensure that you provide multiple options for your cats as places to hide, escape, and to give them a degree of privacy.
Everything should be in multiples: the litter boxes, the food and water bowls (or fountains), scratching posts, hiding places, and cat beds. Scratching is an instinctive behavior and scratching posts are essential for sharpening claws, exercising, stretching muscles, and marking territory with the scent glands in their paws.
Adopting Cat Siblings at a Later Age
While adopting kittens from the same litter has its advantages, bringing home two adult sibling cats can be a different experience. Some cats remain close throughout their lives, enjoying each other’s company, playing together, and grooming one another. However, it’s important to recognize that adult sibling cats may not always maintain a strong bond, and their relationship depends on several factors, including their level of socialization as kittens, individual temperaments, and dominant personalities.
As cats mature, their social dynamics can change. Even siblings that were once close may start to show dominance, leading to occasional conflicts. Additionally, bringing two adult cats into your home means considering the extra costs, such as separate food and water bowls, multiple litter boxes, scratching posts, and vet expenses. While some sibling pairs continue to thrive together, there is no guarantee that they will remain best friends.
If you are considering adopting two older cats, it’s essential to be prepared for any outcome. You must be committed to caring for both cats equally, ensuring that each has their own space and resources to create a peaceful environment. Most importantly, you should be ready to love and provide for both, even if their personalities or relationship evolves over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Cat Siblings Stay Close as Adults?
Siblings that were adopted as kittens often continue living together peacefully as adults, especially if they were well-socialized and had a positive relationship from a young age. However, as they reach social maturity, which is when they’re about 2 to 5 years old, their personalities may change. Some cats maintain their close bond, while others grow more independent, preferring to have their own space.
In some cases, competition for resources or different dynamics can lead to occasional conflicts, especially if one cat becomes more dominant. Providing separate litter boxes, food and water bowls, and entertainment can help maintain their independence. While there’s no guarantee that sibling cats will always get along, with proper care and attention to their individual needs, many cat siblings continue to coexist peacefully in adulthood.
Should I Get Another Cat When One of the Siblings Dies?
Getting another cat is best if you and your family want a second companion. If you only want to bring a new cat into the home to give your existing cat a new companion, this might cause more stress for your cat.
Your existing cat must be given time to grieve.
The following are signs that your cat is grieving:
You should wait until most of these behaviors return to normal before bringing a new cat into the home.
Is It Better to Have One Cat?
If you already have a cat and have been considering adopting a second one, this can be hit or miss. It can be done quite successfully, but some cats do better as the only cat in the household. It can take weeks or months for both cats to adjust, and there are no guarantees that they will ever get along.
If your cat seems relatively relaxed around other cats without any excessive aggression or fear, another cat might work. But if your cat reacts with growling, hissing, and even marking territory, owning a second cat is likely not in the cards.
Does the Breed of the Cat Make a Difference in the Need for Companionship?
Not entirely, as previous experiences, temperament, age, and sex of the cats must all be considered. For the time being there is no scientific evidence on whether the sex of the cat affects how well a cat might get along with other cats. What is clear is that neutered and spayed cats are much less likely to fight since sex hormones do not come into play.
Age can also be an issue. Some senior cats might not appreciate a young, rambunctious kitten. It has been known to work, but there’s no guarantee. Temperament is the most critical factor here. If your resident cat is quiet and low-key, the new cat should also be quiet and low-key. You should match up two energetic cats and so on.
It’s best to bring home two cats at the same time—it is more challenging to add a new cat to an existing cat’s home.
Conclusion
If your heart is set on adopting two cats, the best option is to get two kittens from the same litter. But know that once they reach about 6 months, all bets are off! Some littermates stay best friends their entire lives, while others will drift apart or resort to bullying and fighting. If you remember to provide them with enough resources throughout the house and in their preferred area such as separate litter boxes, scratching posts, beds, high resting spots, toys, and food bowls, this will likely reduce the fighting.
If there continue to be any problems, speak to a vet, as they might refer you to an animal behaviorist to help you through your feline issues.
Featured Image Credit: Mesa Watthanaphichai, Shutterstock
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Kathryn was a librarian in a previous lifetime and is currently a pet writer. When she was a child, she hoped to work in ZOOs or with wildlife in some way, thanks to her all-consuming love for animals. Sadly, she's not strong in the sciences, so she fills her days with researching and writing about all kinds of animals and spends time playing with her adorable but very naughty tabby cat, Bella. Kathryn is hoping to add to her family in the near future – maybe another cat and a dog.
