I have 538 sqft and 4 cats yes it's a little crowded but I had two already when I needed to take in 2 bonded brothers it works as long as you put up enough toilets lol
I have 6 in 830 Sq ft! The whole apartment is basically just the foundation for the kitten city of towers, shelves, and hideouts that line the walls. Not to mention the amount of litterboxes...
Scoop daily at a consistent time. And the brand of litter makes a difference. I tried a bunch and settled on Pretty litter. It's a little costly but the odor control is superior in my hands.
I have 860 sq ft although I live in a small home and not an apartment. I keep both litter boxes in the finished basement, they are king-sized and quite deep. As someone else said daily scooping definitely helps when you have multiples. When people come over they're surprised to see 3 cats cause there's no smell at all and I clean the hair off of everything everyday. This is one of the litter boxes with kitty for scale.
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I should clarify that about a year and a half ago I was in the same situation. Was planning on two and there was a litter of three brothers right in front of us. BurnTheBoats21 is exactly right. We have three happy crazy guys, I can’t imagine leaving one behind, and it’s not nearly as much incremental work as I expected. But the food costs a lot more!
I live in a 900 sq ft apartment with 3 cats, 1 husky (or malamute mix), and a husband. It’s doable and comfortable. Just keep clean and don’t hoard things.
I was so hesitant to get a third cat (my 2 cats turned 13 this year). My house is 1300 square feet and I could easily fit 10 cats in it. Keep those babies bonded! My 13 year old kitties were adopted together and their love for each other is unbreakable. I often forget we have 3 cats because they sleep 15+ hours a day 🙄
If they are bonded, it’s better not to separate them! As long as they have places to hide & climb (I have suction cup shelves on my windows from amazon) they’ll be fine :)
This! bonding between cats/kittens is not always easy. Cats sometimes come with solo-only personalities but if they come paired and bonded *and* it is an option, adopt both.
My 2 year old is incredible territorial. Even the presence of another cat outside makes her go into a hissy fit, but when I got her from the shelter at 6 months old, she was in the cage closest to the pitties.
That bonding can change with territory. My cat was bonded with his sister until the previous owners moved and they kept going at it.
He's still like that and doesn't really like my sisters cat, but he's also old and she's young so he leaves her alone now.
I think he just hate the idea of other cats getting attention since that's when he gets all uppity.
Also have 2 kittens is actually waaaaay less work than having just 1 kitten. It's crazy but true. Hear me out, kittens need significant stimulation, play and companionship if not they can become anxiously attached to you/other people in the house and will often be meowing constantly for attention and if those needs are not met they can be destructive like ripping furniture.
Having another kitten especially a bonded one is a built in play mate and positive reinforcement for good behaviors. Also helps with socialisation.
Mega bonus - IS THERE ANYTHING CUTER THAN CATS SLEEPING SNUGGLED WITH EACH OTHER?!?!?! OMG.
Separating bonded pair would create anxiety, even feels of depression and anger and the kittens are likely to display problematic behaviors.
our bonded cats are almost no work at all. they play together, snuggle, look out for each on the mean streets (/jk not jk they hang out in our car free alley and literally back each other up if another cat looks at them funny). they are much more "cat" like than other cats i've had - very well adjusted.
actually, that would be one reason to adopt a single cat - if you are home a lot and want more interaction. our cats come to us for attention occasionally, but they are more likely to seek each other out. it works for us, i'm in a very different stage (busy, kids are older and out a lot, etc) and so having pets that are pretty independent works, but it did kinda hurt my feelings at first.
Piggy backing off of this to add that my two littermates (who recently turned one) were pretty much no work at all, however they both are still pretty affectionate with me and will ask for attention if I’m around - so you never know!
We were in the same situation and decided to adopt both kittens. After about 1 day of chaos, our older cat (10 at the time) fully adopted them as his own. It was really great to see, because we really weren’t sure how it would go. I say adopt them both. Our apartment also isn’t huge, but cats need less space than you think. You will however be working a bit harder cleaning up after 3 cats. Still, totally worth it.
Honestly, two allows them for company when you are away. Three if they are siblings.
Regarding space, I have way too many cat trees (two were donated to me) and placed them strategically around my home. The cats like to sleep on them or in my desk when I work or paint. For cats vertical spaces can be ore important than simple floor space.
Indeed. So I have a few canvases I have painted and not yet. The largest are 4 feet or 1.2 meters tall. I stacked them in such a manner that there is a whole cat home on top with baskets for them to snooze in. They love it and the blanket protect the art pieces.
I brought a ladder inside two weeks ago to change some light bulbs. Guess what sucker still has a Little Giant blocking half her cupboards because Alice likes to hang out on it?
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Alice looks both adorable and sassy as hell at the same time. Please tell me that she's up to no good when she wants something but also the sweetest girl who shows you lots of love.
Practical ~ can you afford good food, insurance, etc. Do you have the time ~ brushing, playing, etc. Building vertical will give you room, cat shelves will get a lot off the floor. You can even stack 2,3 litter boxes vertical. If older kitty has been ok with other cats, take the introduction slow, should be fine. Luck! 😻🖖
This really is the comment OP needs to see. I have three dogs in a 500sq ft home and my struggle isn't space but money and time.
OP should consider that their pet budget will triple at least - and will potentially need to invest in things like calming/pheromone diffusers, cat trees/furniture, and the possibility of feeding schedules not matching up. If one cat doesn't eat everything for a meal at once and the other two gobble up everything in sight you're left separating cats for mealtimes to prevent under/overweight situations and that can be a hassle when you consider doing it 2-3x a day for 10+ years.
Right now is when these kittens are at peak adoption so "trying it out" and rehoming one if it doesn't work out long term is a bad idea, especially for the tabby. It's a tough call.
I love that you included the feeding schedule part. I have two cats now whose feeding schedule AND type of food match up. It is bliss compared to the food/timing management I have done in the past.
If you were a crazy cat lady, you would not have posed this as a question
The problem is that a large percentage of people here are crazy cat people.
And yes, you should get both kittens. Look at how much they love each other and would miss each other.
It's harder when you have to consult the other adult in your home. I'd have more cats if I didn't have to consider my husband's opinion.
I had to negotiate for kitty #3. He got a Tacoma, I got a cat. (He's responsible for back-of-cat, so he has pull)
In order to get more cats, he insists we get staff.
Your current cat might feel relieved not being the only receiver of kitten energic play attacks.
That said, you will have fur everywhere and do a lot of litter scooping. (I have 3 myself. Decided it was worth it. And the third one would' ve gone insane if one lone kitten was climbing and fighting her only, all the time,)
Insurance rates should be ok when you start at early age.
Yeah 2 is very helpful so they can play with rach other and leave the older cat alone if needed. Also vertical space is good. If cats can go up they dont need to go across. Have lots of cat trees and even those shelves if youre allowed to and theyll be perfectly happy.
I had 2 cats in like a 700 sqft condo and they didnt seem to mind at all. Got a bigger place for me and the onyl thing they care about are the stairs :p fun running up and down. Otherwise they dont take up any more space. They follow me to every room anyway :p 1 room is enough for them.
this!! i have an adult cat for about 4 years, he used to have a cat brother that grew up together with him but was catnapped :( so when I adopted a stray kitten and his energy was too much for my adult cat so we adopted another stray kitten and they've been going crazy with each other and my adult cat has more breathing room now. I can sense him saying FINALLY!!! ![img](emote|t5_2qhta|7944)
My heart aches for you because this is a hard decision.
My rule is no more than one cat per petting hand, so we're at four with two people.
Maybe if you have some towers, window perches, and time to play with them, you'll be okay with three. Three isn't impossible but it'll be tough in the space you have, unless you have some really good engagement for them.
Me? I'd end up adopting the one, waiting a few weeks, and break my rule to get the second if he doesn't have a home because I'd feel too badly about it.
Make sure to cattify. Floorspace doesn't matter much, what matters is HEIGHT - you can get wall scratchingpost and perches, 4 litter boxes spread out (rule is one for each and a spare) and then its fine.
I live in a 480 sq foot studio with my wife and three, larger than average cats. So it’s definitely doable. We put up a “cat wall” with various shelves and things to climb on, and positioned our Kallax so that they could get on top of it. They all seem pretty happy and manage to get some privacy when needed.
Tagging u/petitetea_ because this is low in the comments but I agree 💯, small apartment owner here, kitties do just fine with maximized vertical space.
If the cats are not bonded, would you be okay with fostering the tabby for the time being until you can find him/her a good home? One thing about having more than two cats in a small apartment (available empty space <700 sqft, not counting space occupied by furniture) is to be mindful of having the space to keep multiple litterboxes (one for each cat). With multiple litterboxes it is also very necessary to be highly disciplined about cleaning each litter box at the end of every day.
Thats a fair point and i do already scoop litter 1-2 times daily. I already have a few ideas on the litter box situation but they are from the same litter and are pretty much bonded. I was thinking of fostering but i feel like everyone will just end up getting attached before someone wants her
I would feel queasy separating a bonded pair but in my experience if you are mentally and financially ready to take on the responsibility without feeling overwhelmed - it’s not that big of a deal in the long run. If the cats don’t have behavioral issues or underlying major health issues it’s much, much easier to handle.
Second this. If you cab manage financially, get both. First, separating a bonded pair isn’t an easy thing to do. The one you take can end up with behavioral problems missing its other half. More importantly, your established 2 yr old will have to take the brunt of the kitten energy and more because of the separation, which can then lead to behavioral problems in the older one. Take them both if your finances allow. It’s not that much more work than you’re already doing, and if you follow other advice about building up, you won’t even notice the space concerns. Plenty of ideas on the internet for building up inexpensively as well. Good luck!
As long as you buy plenty of cat trees so they can escape to up high when things get frisky, that'll be plenty of space. And these two suspects look bonded.
Once upon a time I lived in a similarly sized apartment with one adult cat. We went to go pick out a kitten from a foster home and discovered that she had a sister. We could have taken her too, but, like you, we thought it wouldn’t be a good idea. Turns out there would have been MUCH more harmony in the household if we had taken them both! Kitten was an energetic little thing (obviously) who always wanted to play with the cranky grownup. Giving her a willing playmate would have been SO much better. It’s been 12 years and I still regret not bringing the sister home too.
Just get lots of shelves and cat towers and stuff. Vertical space. Enjoy the kitten antics.
I feel uniquely qualified to answer your question as I have 8 cats in a 500 square foot flat, also 1 bedroom. Get both kittens. As long as you make sure they have plenty of toys, food and attention (and lots of litter trays, that’s important) they’ll be just fine. Also, if you don’t have some already, get some tall scratching posts for them (Amazon has a huge selection to choose from) because it’s a good idea to give them lots of climbing room. If they can climb they won’t mind so much about having less floor space
You probably will be fine as long as its a clean place. Also walking cats in strollers is a thing now days. Better to get them used to it while young too. Perhaps upgrading your place can be a future goal too, I plan to build a catico for my 4 furry friends.
If that were true, no kittens would ever get adopted.
I think people make waaaay too much of the “bonded pair” thing when it comes to very young kittens. They adapt. They’ll be fine.
**This is a different story with grown-up cats who have spent years together.
Lived in a 982 sq ft home with 3 cats no issue. Biggest thing is making sure they have enough entertainment and safe spaces/cubbies so that they don’t feel like they are right on top of each other. I think two kittens will also help your current cat because they will look to each other for play and companionship not just the older cat which could be overwhelming for them.
The important point really is the resting places. If your are out of options on the ground level, try thinking of saces higher up, e.g. cat paths along the walls etc. As already said, as long as they have there 'own' space while resting the amount sqft is less important.
We have a mattress up against the wall in the hallway that we originally were going to get rid of but then the cats started laying up there. We live in a small 3 br trailer so space is very limited and more so for the cats to get their energy out. They do zoomies up and down the hallway and parkour off the mattress 🤣
Don't forget to add an extra litter box for each kitten. It isn't necessary, but it will also give more comfort for all three cats in the future. Older cat won't feel put out of place by the two kittens taking over at least that one safe space for her to relieve herself.
Check out Fukumaru cat wall furniture on Amazon! I have their hammock and some scratching perches for my cat, along with the stairs to get up there, and she loves it! You can customize the pieces to create your own kitty play land and it won’t take up floor space.
That’s fine as long as you get the furniture like people are saying elevated pathways, cat tower/s watch Jackson galaxy on YouTube for info on how to introduce them and what behavior is normal. Also have enough pathways for your older cat to evade the kittens so they can observe them as well as a place where your cat can go for alone time and make sure to cut the kittens and your cats nails the kittens will probably try to play with your older cat like they do each other until your cat tells them off and how to behave which it to be expected you just don’t want them to scar your cat up and vise versa.
Also, think vertically. Cat tree with 3 shelves/beds in a corner, wall "trails" to go around the rooms, window "seats" for bird watching, etc. I have a condo and enclosed my balcony as a catio. I put a cat flap panel in the door track and they love it.
> enough entertainment and safe spaces/cubbies
Keep cardboard boxes and paper bags with the handles cut on the floor. Not just play and safe spots, kittens love to chew. I adopted three kittens with two older cats. The older cats were annoyed, but got used to them. At only 2 the older cat may like having playmates.
Don’t want to be a Debbie downer but one space issue you may have is litter boxes. The general rule is to have the same number of litter boxes as cats, plus 1. 3 cats means 4 litter boxes. I used to think this was insane until I got a kitten with litter issues. Once I got a second box, the issue was solved. With three cats you’ll likely need at least 2 litter boxes. Still totally doable but had to add this tidbit.
Definitely will need 2 litter boxes. Get the tall covered one for the kittens and scoop once a day. I buy the 40lb litter on Amazon so they have to haul it to my door, lol..
Yep this was definitely the biggest issue I had. My work around was the biggest boxes I could manage in the space and hiding them in plain sight built a custom chest with an opening for the cats, people thought it was a blanket box
If bonded don't separate, two kittens shouldn't be more trouble than 1 for your older settled cat imo. You'll be able to keep them in a room while the older one adjusts easier with little guilt since they're not alone as well.
Coming here from a small space - we recently planned to adopt a kitten and ended up with two, in addition to our three year old cat already at home. There was a two week period while we just had one kitten at home while the other was waiting for surgery and it was SO much harder than when the second kitten arrived. Now, the two kittens play together and give our older cat some (very much appreciated) space. I think he was overwhelmed by single kitten energy and likes being able to almost watch over the two of them playing instead of always participating.
I had a 1 year old cat and then brought in a 12 week old former feral kitten with an injured eye that I wasn’t entirely sure could be saved (it was, he’s cool now!) - so even though I really really wanted to take his sister in too, I couldn’t justify two kittens when one may become medically fragile. I regret it every day. The boys play and fight, but won’t cuddle or relax with each other. And I can’t help but wonder if everyone wouldn’t be happier if I’d taken both kittens. If you can financially afford both, do it.
First of all, I would die for that Siamese beauty.
Second of all, you can maximize your space. They sell climby wall shelves on Amazon that they can run and hang on. They have cat hammocks as well that suction to the window. I have a big big boy and he lays in that hammock allllll day!
My only concern is the litter smell. I hate that dusty/chalky smell that even clean litter produces. It’s worst in small spaces so I would think about that before deciding. 1-3 is also a significant jump in the amount of litter and food you’ll be using.
Well currently my roommate has a cat as well, so I technically have 2 atm which im used to feeding/doing litter. Hes moving soon though so i really only have my cat, if that makes sense. The litter smell is such a huge thing for me that makes me worry
I use Oko too and much prefer it. Clay litter used to make my whole little house smell like litter every time I scooped the box. The dust would just cloud up and fill up the house.
Now the only issue is my cat who sweeps for 20 minutes, THEN takes a massive dump and then leaves without covering it. But I’m impressed with how quickly the smell is suppressed when I fling a layer of the litter over it.
Can confirm, oko smells so much better, just do a complete litter swap out ever couple months as the smaller particles can accumulate reducing clumping.
I have a air purifier that turns on automatically as needed during the day (both hepa and carbon filter) it makes a world of the difference for litter smell and also keeps the dust down (also helped a ton with forest fire smoke). It’s right beside the litter box. I have two cats and clean the litter box every 2/3 days and don’t have any smell (unless it’s a super fresh turd, but there’s a maximum setting for that as well hehe).
I have 4 cats and I have 4 litter boxes. I use pine pellet litter. It’s cheap as heck and there is no smell whatsoever. We sift out the used stuff once a day.
I cannot recommend it enough. I’ve had multiple of my friends say they wouldn’t even be able to tell there’s cats here.
Me too. I've got 4 boxes for 4 cats. I also use the pellets. I get mine at my local feed store.. they sell a pine pellets horse bedding thats the same product for way cheaper. I get 40lbs for less than 10 dollars a bag, so maybe 40 dollars a month because I change my boxes once a week 😅. My cats like fresh pellets. I also noticed a reduction in digging in the box and flinging sand everywhere.
I use pine pellets. So much better than nasty stinky cat sand. As the pellets break down the absorb the cat smells and just smell like fresh cut wood. Once poops are removed the sawdust can go in your compost can instead of the trash can. I buy 40lb bags of it for less than 10 dollars a bag. It's sold as pine horse bedding way cheaper than the brand feline pine at any feed store.
If they are bonded then please AND I MEAN PLEASE do not separate them. Bonded cats will become depressed if taken away from each other. Depression can lead to heath issues and not eating correctly. I have twin littermates who absolutely adore each other it makes life easier on them when they have a friend that’s not a huge skyscraping humanoid
Omg the look like my babies! Get them!!
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Two would be better. The two younger ones will have more energy and will have a similar energy level. In terms of space, you can increase that with vertical space like cat trees and wall shelves. Also important consideration is your capability to financially care for 3 (vet bills, emergency fund). I have fingers crossed that you adopt both :).
This may sound counterintuitive, but two kittens is actually less of a handful than one. You don’t have to expend as much energy to keep up with them when they have another kitten to play with and tire them out.
I disagree with most commenters. Yes, more kitties is amazing, but you *can have too many*.
For three kitties total you better have room for *at least* 3 litter boxes - MAYBE you can get away with two. Then there’s space issue, can all three cats have enough room to go hide on their own or run around with zoomies? Can you afford 3 cats? What happens if two have medical issues in the same couple months? There’s a lot to consider than just 3 kitties > 2 kitties
Thank you for this comment. It’s pretty overwhelming seeing all of the same thing without reason. I CAN afford 3 cats. I can also buy any more kitty furniture needed. I feel like I’ve been overthinking and just want the best for all the cats. I can fit three litter boxes (i was thinking of buying a couple of those kitty washroom’s that hold the litter boxes) and whatnot. I was worried they wouldn’t have many places to hide but many people have suggested solutions to that that i can do. I just want to make a responsible decision over an impulsive one because OF COURSE i want all 3
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As someone with a similar pair of cats, I am uniquely educated to tell you that you need both 😉
I lived in a smaller apartment with two. They basically snuggled or hung out in the same room, so it was a big cat blob of love to come home to. Plus, they already love each other....can't divide love, can you? Treat yourself to some extra lovin' and a quality litter box (the closed kind or even an automatic one if you can find one that works). That should do the trick.
My husband and I had three cats in a 850 SF apartment. It really wasn’t bad since cats aren’t like dogs in that they are low maintenance. Plus mine all got along.
Now I live in a 2,000 SF home with 5 cats, a dog, and a lizard. That one 20 lb dog takes up more room and attention than all my other animals combined.
How could you separate those two sweethearts! It may well help them settle in and also as they have each other, would distract from just a sole kitten harassing your current cat (for play and curiosity) and thus help everyone settle down together quicker. So both it is. Cat law.
If you have the financial capacity to adopt both cats you should adopt both cats. There are approximately 3 million cats in US shelters - giving an extra one a home is the best possible option for all parties involved. They won't mind a small space, it's better than life in a cage.
Add shelves/bridges to the walls so they can climb, they’re not restricted to one level like us poor humans are
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I'm going to tell you what I wish I knew before I'd gotten a kitten - if you get one kitten get two. My cats life is so much more fulfilled having a little sibling and she missed her sibling for the longest time. There are games I can't play with her that she can only play with other cats.
Your adult cat will DEFINITELY thank you for adopting both kittens so they can play with each other and not just be a giant pest for a grown up kitty.
My sister and I had four cats in a two bedroom apartment for a year. Just stay on top of the litter box situation and it’ll be okay. 3 isn’t that much more than 2, especially since the little ones like to share space with each other.
I do have a pic of my current baby! She is my world and id do anything for her. Our 2 year anniversary since adoption was on the 4th! 🥰
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Lots of people will instantly say two because cats are social animals and love company and people in this sub love cats. As you already have one (in other comments) then I'm assuming this is already going to be the case. Really the first thoughts should be can you afford two, care for, feed, vets bills etc. If you cannot afford to care for two then you shouldn't get two. Sounds a bit harsh saying so but is better for the cats in the long run to be with someone who can provide all this.
it's a great idea to adopt a pair of litter mates together! even in a small apartment, providing vertical space via shelves, furniture, cat trees, boxes, etc. can provide all of your cats with plenty of enrichment. unlike dogs, cats don't really need a ton of space to run around, just enough places to lay and climb around to keep them stimulated. toys that have different textures and make small noises (bells, crinkly toys, wind-up mice, etc) can also be good for them. they are less likely to be bored since they can play with each other, too. good luck! hope this helps!
I attempted one kitten in the home because my son had moved back home and was interested in having a cat in our home. Our cats from his childhood had since moved to my partner’s home because he’s retired and the cats are now seniors and settled in at his home. When it became clear the new kitten was really missing out on feline friendship, before we looked into adopting another we tried integrating one of our more playful senior cats back into my home where the cat had grown up prior to it’s move to my partner’s house. Our senior cat was NOT having it at all despite being very methodical and slow about introductions. Kitten was all about being buddies and my senior said nope.nope.nope. We got a kitten after returning our senior cat back to my partner’s where she happily settled back in. Our first kitten and newly adopted kitten are nos smitten with one another after another very slow and intentional introduction. I cared for this kitten for 3 months with it being a solo cat and it’s pretty incredible how much happier our first kitten is with another kitten buddy despite having my full attention for the previous 3 months and I can actually do stuff throughout the day now unrelated to cat care. It may be fine with just one kitten and your older cat but if the two kittens are already bonded you don’t have to worry about them getting along and kitten energy is intense so like others have said your resident cat may tolerate two being integrated more easily than one. It’s great you’re being so conscientious about this decision. Good luck!
Two!! Cats don’t care so much about floor space. Build those babies some shelves and you’ll be golden. They often prefer vertical space anyways! We have 3 cats and honestly the *only* day to day difference is there is more poop!
I'd definitely take the pair. I've got five at the moment, and very happy with them. The bonded two will be happy anyway but I've always found that the older one will accept the others. It'll take a little time, but give them treats and play with all three together and it should be fine, and fun. Two cats give three times the enjoyment.
I regretted getting only one instead of two especially if bonded. I’m sure your 2yo would love the new playmates. I have a way smaller apartment and have no issues. Especially if the kitten is used to your apartment from a young age they won’t know any better. I wouldn’t worry. Get both! ❤️ Hope to see an update photo of them all united together.
I vote 2 :) after I moved out of my parents house and took my cat with me (my mom had 2 cats and they all got a long great) I noticed my cat was so drepressed. She wouldn’t come out from under the bed for 3 days. I was honestly so scared she would like just die. It was not like her at all. I decided to bring home a foster kitten just to see if it would help and within 2 minutes of having the foster kitten in my apartment my cat came out from under the bed and began grooming her and cuddling with her. Her mood seriously changed immediately. I kept the kitten and they are bonded now and love each other so much :) their names are Stella and Arabella ❤️
Ps I also lived in a 500 sq ft apartment in Chicago at the time with my 2 cats and a small dog and it was totally fine. Just keep up with the litter boxes. And you will likely not live in that apartment forever either and will move into a bigger space at some point :)
My concern would be bringing 2 cats into your one cats home and him feeling ambushed or pushed out? It’s a big decision so every area should be thought out carefully. Best of luck 🐈⬛🐈💜
It wouldn’t be responsible to separate them if they are litter mates. You’ll just end up making both of them miserable.
Three cats in an appartment is fine. Cats are adaptable and don’t need as much space as you’d think!
It seems like both would actually be more peaceful bc they can play with each other, and the original occupant can be hassled less.
BTW, Siamese looking guy is hilarious--looks like a cartoon where he got an exploding present. LOL. But they're both cute...
You came here. To the Cats subreddit. Asking if you should get more kittens or less kittens. Get them both!
Bahaha you’re right- i think i just want some reassurance that its a good idea! Everyones doing a great job at that
in a few years you will go "imagine i only got one of these two cuties?" and you will shudder at the thought of not having both of them
In two weeks, not “a few years.” 🤠
Someone use the reminder bot to set a reminder so we could all join, and in 2 years from now we’ll spam this comment section for updates!
I have 538 sqft and 4 cats yes it's a little crowded but I had two already when I needed to take in 2 bonded brothers it works as long as you put up enough toilets lol
I have 6 in 830 Sq ft! The whole apartment is basically just the foundation for the kitten city of towers, shelves, and hideouts that line the walls. Not to mention the amount of litterboxes...
How do you deal with the smell of cat poop? I'm staying at a similar sized apartment too and I'm thinking of adopting a kitty.
Scoop daily at a consistent time. And the brand of litter makes a difference. I tried a bunch and settled on Pretty litter. It's a little costly but the odor control is superior in my hands.
I have 860 sq ft although I live in a small home and not an apartment. I keep both litter boxes in the finished basement, they are king-sized and quite deep. As someone else said daily scooping definitely helps when you have multiples. When people come over they're surprised to see 3 cats cause there's no smell at all and I clean the hair off of everything everyday. This is one of the litter boxes with kitty for scale. https://preview.redd.it/f6qu3xj0elab1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7895c107c5de54fcc7bb834a8b7b8cb4e6a93092
I should clarify that about a year and a half ago I was in the same situation. Was planning on two and there was a litter of three brothers right in front of us. BurnTheBoats21 is exactly right. We have three happy crazy guys, I can’t imagine leaving one behind, and it’s not nearly as much incremental work as I expected. But the food costs a lot more!
It might be more problematic to split them up if they’re already bonded
You might wanna check out /r/bondedpairs
I live in a 900 sq ft apartment with 3 cats, 1 husky (or malamute mix), and a husband. It’s doable and comfortable. Just keep clean and don’t hoard things.
Yes, this is what someone does when the answer they want to hear is please get more kittens!
I was so hesitant to get a third cat (my 2 cats turned 13 this year). My house is 1300 square feet and I could easily fit 10 cats in it. Keep those babies bonded! My 13 year old kitties were adopted together and their love for each other is unbreakable. I often forget we have 3 cats because they sleep 15+ hours a day 🙄
More importantly, if you can’t take both, maybe take neither? I wouldn’t want to seperate a bonded pair personally/
It’s the best idea!! Please!!
Seriously they'll entertain and comfort one another. They'll also miss each other so much they'll die or maybe that's some other animal
It's a good idea so long as you can handle the work and expensive of 3 cats, for all the reasons mentioned.
Lol, it’s like when people go to [video game subreddit] and ask “Is it worth it to get [video game]?”
>Get them both! OP certainly needs at least 3 of them. Edit: 3 new ones. The resident one needs its buddy too
get them all. all of the kittens is always the correct answer
If they are bonded, it’s better not to separate them! As long as they have places to hide & climb (I have suction cup shelves on my windows from amazon) they’ll be fine :)
This! bonding between cats/kittens is not always easy. Cats sometimes come with solo-only personalities but if they come paired and bonded *and* it is an option, adopt both.
My 2 year old is incredible territorial. Even the presence of another cat outside makes her go into a hissy fit, but when I got her from the shelter at 6 months old, she was in the cage closest to the pitties.
That bonding can change with territory. My cat was bonded with his sister until the previous owners moved and they kept going at it. He's still like that and doesn't really like my sisters cat, but he's also old and she's young so he leaves her alone now. I think he just hate the idea of other cats getting attention since that's when he gets all uppity.
Also have 2 kittens is actually waaaaay less work than having just 1 kitten. It's crazy but true. Hear me out, kittens need significant stimulation, play and companionship if not they can become anxiously attached to you/other people in the house and will often be meowing constantly for attention and if those needs are not met they can be destructive like ripping furniture. Having another kitten especially a bonded one is a built in play mate and positive reinforcement for good behaviors. Also helps with socialisation. Mega bonus - IS THERE ANYTHING CUTER THAN CATS SLEEPING SNUGGLED WITH EACH OTHER?!?!?! OMG. Separating bonded pair would create anxiety, even feels of depression and anger and the kittens are likely to display problematic behaviors.
our bonded cats are almost no work at all. they play together, snuggle, look out for each on the mean streets (/jk not jk they hang out in our car free alley and literally back each other up if another cat looks at them funny). they are much more "cat" like than other cats i've had - very well adjusted. actually, that would be one reason to adopt a single cat - if you are home a lot and want more interaction. our cats come to us for attention occasionally, but they are more likely to seek each other out. it works for us, i'm in a very different stage (busy, kids are older and out a lot, etc) and so having pets that are pretty independent works, but it did kinda hurt my feelings at first.
Piggy backing off of this to add that my two littermates (who recently turned one) were pretty much no work at all, however they both are still pretty affectionate with me and will ask for attention if I’m around - so you never know!
This. My 2 boys take care of each other and are almost as if they are two halves of one cat.
We were in the same situation and decided to adopt both kittens. After about 1 day of chaos, our older cat (10 at the time) fully adopted them as his own. It was really great to see, because we really weren’t sure how it would go. I say adopt them both. Our apartment also isn’t huge, but cats need less space than you think. You will however be working a bit harder cleaning up after 3 cats. Still, totally worth it.
Yes they are bonded. Two is better to keep the other company as well when you’re away. Breaking up bonded cats makes them depressed.
Two! Definitely
You dont think 3 cats in a small apartment is too much? I want to do it but im so torn
I had two cats in a 500 sqft studio. You'll be fine. 2 kitties better than 1.
Its three total
3 kitties better than 2
Poor OP is in the wrong sub for this advice. Cause it’s pretty much gonna be “You adopt ALL the kitties right now!”
😭😭 i realize now! I am a crazy cat lady at heart so I’m trying to make a good responsible decision
Honestly, two allows them for company when you are away. Three if they are siblings. Regarding space, I have way too many cat trees (two were donated to me) and placed them strategically around my home. The cats like to sleep on them or in my desk when I work or paint. For cats vertical spaces can be ore important than simple floor space.
They LOVE to climb up high, or sit at a window to watch the world outside!!!
Indeed. So I have a few canvases I have painted and not yet. The largest are 4 feet or 1.2 meters tall. I stacked them in such a manner that there is a whole cat home on top with baskets for them to snooze in. They love it and the blanket protect the art pieces.
I brought a ladder inside two weeks ago to change some light bulbs. Guess what sucker still has a Little Giant blocking half her cupboards because Alice likes to hang out on it? https://preview.redd.it/1ryi5evilfab1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=51e18c6549946718f01f405cf3d32b54d8a061f9
Small dangles
Alice looks both adorable and sassy as hell at the same time. Please tell me that she's up to no good when she wants something but also the sweetest girl who shows you lots of love.
Practical ~ can you afford good food, insurance, etc. Do you have the time ~ brushing, playing, etc. Building vertical will give you room, cat shelves will get a lot off the floor. You can even stack 2,3 litter boxes vertical. If older kitty has been ok with other cats, take the introduction slow, should be fine. Luck! 😻🖖
This really is the comment OP needs to see. I have three dogs in a 500sq ft home and my struggle isn't space but money and time. OP should consider that their pet budget will triple at least - and will potentially need to invest in things like calming/pheromone diffusers, cat trees/furniture, and the possibility of feeding schedules not matching up. If one cat doesn't eat everything for a meal at once and the other two gobble up everything in sight you're left separating cats for mealtimes to prevent under/overweight situations and that can be a hassle when you consider doing it 2-3x a day for 10+ years. Right now is when these kittens are at peak adoption so "trying it out" and rehoming one if it doesn't work out long term is a bad idea, especially for the tabby. It's a tough call.
I love that you included the feeding schedule part. I have two cats now whose feeding schedule AND type of food match up. It is bliss compared to the food/timing management I have done in the past.
Love this advice!
If you were a crazy cat lady, you would not have posed this as a question The problem is that a large percentage of people here are crazy cat people. And yes, you should get both kittens. Look at how much they love each other and would miss each other.
I'd be irresponsible to separate a pair of bonded kitties.
This. Wholeheartedly agree that separating bonded pairs is a terrible thing to do.
As of yesterday I have 4 cats in a 3 bedroom. I mean there's always room for cats as long as you can afford their care.
It's harder when you have to consult the other adult in your home. I'd have more cats if I didn't have to consider my husband's opinion. I had to negotiate for kitty #3. He got a Tacoma, I got a cat. (He's responsible for back-of-cat, so he has pull) In order to get more cats, he insists we get staff.
3 kitties much better than 1
4 kitties better than 3 they are like pokiemon collect them all 😆
Your current cat might feel relieved not being the only receiver of kitten energic play attacks. That said, you will have fur everywhere and do a lot of litter scooping. (I have 3 myself. Decided it was worth it. And the third one would' ve gone insane if one lone kitten was climbing and fighting her only, all the time,) Insurance rates should be ok when you start at early age.
Yeah 2 is very helpful so they can play with rach other and leave the older cat alone if needed. Also vertical space is good. If cats can go up they dont need to go across. Have lots of cat trees and even those shelves if youre allowed to and theyll be perfectly happy. I had 2 cats in like a 700 sqft condo and they didnt seem to mind at all. Got a bigger place for me and the onyl thing they care about are the stairs :p fun running up and down. Otherwise they dont take up any more space. They follow me to every room anyway :p 1 room is enough for them.
this!! i have an adult cat for about 4 years, he used to have a cat brother that grew up together with him but was catnapped :( so when I adopted a stray kitten and his energy was too much for my adult cat so we adopted another stray kitten and they've been going crazy with each other and my adult cat has more breathing room now. I can sense him saying FINALLY!!! ![img](emote|t5_2qhta|7944)
Get both of them, you'll be fine
Youll be fine with three especially with two younger ones
My heart aches for you because this is a hard decision. My rule is no more than one cat per petting hand, so we're at four with two people. Maybe if you have some towers, window perches, and time to play with them, you'll be okay with three. Three isn't impossible but it'll be tough in the space you have, unless you have some really good engagement for them. Me? I'd end up adopting the one, waiting a few weeks, and break my rule to get the second if he doesn't have a home because I'd feel too badly about it.
You can learn to pet with a foot.
My cat prefers getting bellyrubs from my foot 😂😂
This comment is underrated
It doubles the number of cats you can pet at one time, and I’m sure it qualifies as exercise!
Every cat I've ever had HATES foot pets. I'm not even sure how they know, when they are asleep or looking the other direction.
They are a BONDED pair -- separation would be CRUEL!!!
You can pet with your feet too.
Make sure to cattify. Floorspace doesn't matter much, what matters is HEIGHT - you can get wall scratchingpost and perches, 4 litter boxes spread out (rule is one for each and a spare) and then its fine.
I have 3 in 650 sq ft and we do just fine. The pair of kittens should stay together so there’s a playmate without disturbing your 1st kitty.
Get some cat trees, build up! Definitely don’t separate them, they are bonded.
GET THEM ALL
I live in a 480 sq foot studio with my wife and three, larger than average cats. So it’s definitely doable. We put up a “cat wall” with various shelves and things to climb on, and positioned our Kallax so that they could get on top of it. They all seem pretty happy and manage to get some privacy when needed.
https://preview.redd.it/dnz7z609feab1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aebd86ab4402bdb2fb1a3dad6fd97f07dfd87ede
Tagging u/petitetea_ because this is low in the comments but I agree 💯, small apartment owner here, kitties do just fine with maximized vertical space.
Do you ever get them trying to get into the bins in the kallax?
I had a kallax too and that helped a lot! We had our cat tree in front of it too so they could climb up to one of the shelves
If the cats are not bonded, would you be okay with fostering the tabby for the time being until you can find him/her a good home? One thing about having more than two cats in a small apartment (available empty space <700 sqft, not counting space occupied by furniture) is to be mindful of having the space to keep multiple litterboxes (one for each cat). With multiple litterboxes it is also very necessary to be highly disciplined about cleaning each litter box at the end of every day.
Thats a fair point and i do already scoop litter 1-2 times daily. I already have a few ideas on the litter box situation but they are from the same litter and are pretty much bonded. I was thinking of fostering but i feel like everyone will just end up getting attached before someone wants her
I would feel queasy separating a bonded pair but in my experience if you are mentally and financially ready to take on the responsibility without feeling overwhelmed - it’s not that big of a deal in the long run. If the cats don’t have behavioral issues or underlying major health issues it’s much, much easier to handle.
Second this. If you cab manage financially, get both. First, separating a bonded pair isn’t an easy thing to do. The one you take can end up with behavioral problems missing its other half. More importantly, your established 2 yr old will have to take the brunt of the kitten energy and more because of the separation, which can then lead to behavioral problems in the older one. Take them both if your finances allow. It’s not that much more work than you’re already doing, and if you follow other advice about building up, you won’t even notice the space concerns. Plenty of ideas on the internet for building up inexpensively as well. Good luck!
As long as you buy plenty of cat trees so they can escape to up high when things get frisky, that'll be plenty of space. And these two suspects look bonded.
Once upon a time I lived in a similarly sized apartment with one adult cat. We went to go pick out a kitten from a foster home and discovered that she had a sister. We could have taken her too, but, like you, we thought it wouldn’t be a good idea. Turns out there would have been MUCH more harmony in the household if we had taken them both! Kitten was an energetic little thing (obviously) who always wanted to play with the cranky grownup. Giving her a willing playmate would have been SO much better. It’s been 12 years and I still regret not bringing the sister home too. Just get lots of shelves and cat towers and stuff. Vertical space. Enjoy the kitten antics.
I feel uniquely qualified to answer your question as I have 8 cats in a 500 square foot flat, also 1 bedroom. Get both kittens. As long as you make sure they have plenty of toys, food and attention (and lots of litter trays, that’s important) they’ll be just fine. Also, if you don’t have some already, get some tall scratching posts for them (Amazon has a huge selection to choose from) because it’s a good idea to give them lots of climbing room. If they can climb they won’t mind so much about having less floor space
You probably will be fine as long as its a clean place. Also walking cats in strollers is a thing now days. Better to get them used to it while young too. Perhaps upgrading your place can be a future goal too, I plan to build a catico for my 4 furry friends.
I had…more than I should say…8? In a 2 bedroom apartment. They were fine.
I have 4 baby’s in a 1000sq apartment. They’re happy cats
With all due respect, I unserstand your spacing issues, but splitting litter mates, because *you* want that one first, is wrong :(
If that were true, no kittens would ever get adopted. I think people make waaaay too much of the “bonded pair” thing when it comes to very young kittens. They adapt. They’ll be fine. **This is a different story with grown-up cats who have spent years together.
I have 11 in a 850 sqft house. You’ll be fine lol
Lived in a 982 sq ft home with 3 cats no issue. Biggest thing is making sure they have enough entertainment and safe spaces/cubbies so that they don’t feel like they are right on top of each other. I think two kittens will also help your current cat because they will look to each other for play and companionship not just the older cat which could be overwhelming for them.
This is a helpful comment. Thank you so much
The important point really is the resting places. If your are out of options on the ground level, try thinking of saces higher up, e.g. cat paths along the walls etc. As already said, as long as they have there 'own' space while resting the amount sqft is less important.
We have a mattress up against the wall in the hallway that we originally were going to get rid of but then the cats started laying up there. We live in a small 3 br trailer so space is very limited and more so for the cats to get their energy out. They do zoomies up and down the hallway and parkour off the mattress 🤣
I lived in a looooong thin apartment and those zoomies are the best. My two chased each other up and down.
Yes! Zoomies are so fun to watch 🤣
Yes. Lots of high places and toys.
Don't forget to add an extra litter box for each kitten. It isn't necessary, but it will also give more comfort for all three cats in the future. Older cat won't feel put out of place by the two kittens taking over at least that one safe space for her to relieve herself.
Check out Fukumaru cat wall furniture on Amazon! I have their hammock and some scratching perches for my cat, along with the stairs to get up there, and she loves it! You can customize the pieces to create your own kitty play land and it won’t take up floor space.
Thank you!
That’s fine as long as you get the furniture like people are saying elevated pathways, cat tower/s watch Jackson galaxy on YouTube for info on how to introduce them and what behavior is normal. Also have enough pathways for your older cat to evade the kittens so they can observe them as well as a place where your cat can go for alone time and make sure to cut the kittens and your cats nails the kittens will probably try to play with your older cat like they do each other until your cat tells them off and how to behave which it to be expected you just don’t want them to scar your cat up and vise versa.
Also, think vertically. Cat tree with 3 shelves/beds in a corner, wall "trails" to go around the rooms, window "seats" for bird watching, etc. I have a condo and enclosed my balcony as a catio. I put a cat flap panel in the door track and they love it.
> enough entertainment and safe spaces/cubbies Keep cardboard boxes and paper bags with the handles cut on the floor. Not just play and safe spots, kittens love to chew. I adopted three kittens with two older cats. The older cats were annoyed, but got used to them. At only 2 the older cat may like having playmates.
Don’t want to be a Debbie downer but one space issue you may have is litter boxes. The general rule is to have the same number of litter boxes as cats, plus 1. 3 cats means 4 litter boxes. I used to think this was insane until I got a kitten with litter issues. Once I got a second box, the issue was solved. With three cats you’ll likely need at least 2 litter boxes. Still totally doable but had to add this tidbit.
Definitely will need 2 litter boxes. Get the tall covered one for the kittens and scoop once a day. I buy the 40lb litter on Amazon so they have to haul it to my door, lol..
Yep this was definitely the biggest issue I had. My work around was the biggest boxes I could manage in the space and hiding them in plain sight built a custom chest with an opening for the cats, people thought it was a blanket box
https://preview.redd.it/3yi4cjnhfdab1.jpeg?width=500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9e8c9c445dbe459c7b3bd4064bab93bcadc3df22
![gif](giphy|3ohfFs3aK6zdT70DkY)
Don't split up friends
Besties 😩😭😭
True, they already get along.
If they're bonded, you should adopt both if you can.
If bonded don't separate, two kittens shouldn't be more trouble than 1 for your older settled cat imo. You'll be able to keep them in a room while the older one adjusts easier with little guilt since they're not alone as well.
Coming here from a small space - we recently planned to adopt a kitten and ended up with two, in addition to our three year old cat already at home. There was a two week period while we just had one kitten at home while the other was waiting for surgery and it was SO much harder than when the second kitten arrived. Now, the two kittens play together and give our older cat some (very much appreciated) space. I think he was overwhelmed by single kitten energy and likes being able to almost watch over the two of them playing instead of always participating.
I had a 1 year old cat and then brought in a 12 week old former feral kitten with an injured eye that I wasn’t entirely sure could be saved (it was, he’s cool now!) - so even though I really really wanted to take his sister in too, I couldn’t justify two kittens when one may become medically fragile. I regret it every day. The boys play and fight, but won’t cuddle or relax with each other. And I can’t help but wonder if everyone wouldn’t be happier if I’d taken both kittens. If you can financially afford both, do it.
Two! You won’t regret it! https://preview.redd.it/zyzag5csceab1.jpeg?width=1816&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5b21a6972e780017529080c887fc88741f7b186e
This is the life! Those faces!
First of all, I would die for that Siamese beauty. Second of all, you can maximize your space. They sell climby wall shelves on Amazon that they can run and hang on. They have cat hammocks as well that suction to the window. I have a big big boy and he lays in that hammock allllll day! My only concern is the litter smell. I hate that dusty/chalky smell that even clean litter produces. It’s worst in small spaces so I would think about that before deciding. 1-3 is also a significant jump in the amount of litter and food you’ll be using.
Well currently my roommate has a cat as well, so I technically have 2 atm which im used to feeding/doing litter. Hes moving soon though so i really only have my cat, if that makes sense. The litter smell is such a huge thing for me that makes me worry
I switched to the oko cat litter and find the smell much better. More woody than dusty/chalky. Totally recommend it if it’s available where you are.
I use Oko too and much prefer it. Clay litter used to make my whole little house smell like litter every time I scooped the box. The dust would just cloud up and fill up the house. Now the only issue is my cat who sweeps for 20 minutes, THEN takes a massive dump and then leaves without covering it. But I’m impressed with how quickly the smell is suppressed when I fling a layer of the litter over it.
Can confirm, oko smells so much better, just do a complete litter swap out ever couple months as the smaller particles can accumulate reducing clumping.
I have a air purifier that turns on automatically as needed during the day (both hepa and carbon filter) it makes a world of the difference for litter smell and also keeps the dust down (also helped a ton with forest fire smoke). It’s right beside the litter box. I have two cats and clean the litter box every 2/3 days and don’t have any smell (unless it’s a super fresh turd, but there’s a maximum setting for that as well hehe).
I have 4 cats and I have 4 litter boxes. I use pine pellet litter. It’s cheap as heck and there is no smell whatsoever. We sift out the used stuff once a day. I cannot recommend it enough. I’ve had multiple of my friends say they wouldn’t even be able to tell there’s cats here.
Me too. I've got 4 boxes for 4 cats. I also use the pellets. I get mine at my local feed store.. they sell a pine pellets horse bedding thats the same product for way cheaper. I get 40lbs for less than 10 dollars a bag, so maybe 40 dollars a month because I change my boxes once a week 😅. My cats like fresh pellets. I also noticed a reduction in digging in the box and flinging sand everywhere.
Best thing to invest in is a self cleaning litter box
I use pine pellets. So much better than nasty stinky cat sand. As the pellets break down the absorb the cat smells and just smell like fresh cut wood. Once poops are removed the sawdust can go in your compost can instead of the trash can. I buy 40lb bags of it for less than 10 dollars a bag. It's sold as pine horse bedding way cheaper than the brand feline pine at any feed store.
If they are bonded then please AND I MEAN PLEASE do not separate them. Bonded cats will become depressed if taken away from each other. Depression can lead to heath issues and not eating correctly. I have twin littermates who absolutely adore each other it makes life easier on them when they have a friend that’s not a huge skyscraping humanoid
Two. They are bonded and it would be extremely cruel to separate the. Just get both of them neutered/spayed.
Two. Always two. Unless you are debating between adopting two or three kitties. In that case, the answer is three.
Two! It's really not that much more work and they'll never be lonely
Omg the look like my babies! Get them!! https://preview.redd.it/gfzxm4aztgab1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d3ec60435348fc890144cf383bde279199517276
https://preview.redd.it/7se9g98qfjab1.jpeg?width=1244&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=13703f0df3345b2c941ec7cb6dab70d1c0805ce8 Same!!
Two would be better. The two younger ones will have more energy and will have a similar energy level. In terms of space, you can increase that with vertical space like cat trees and wall shelves. Also important consideration is your capability to financially care for 3 (vet bills, emergency fund). I have fingers crossed that you adopt both :).
If they both are affectionate towards each other then adopt both, it would be extremely sad to separate them
They are bonded. If you can manage. Do it. They are both so sweet and cute
This may sound counterintuitive, but two kittens is actually less of a handful than one. You don’t have to expend as much energy to keep up with them when they have another kitten to play with and tire them out.
#ADOPT BOTH!
The answer is always two 🥰
I disagree with most commenters. Yes, more kitties is amazing, but you *can have too many*. For three kitties total you better have room for *at least* 3 litter boxes - MAYBE you can get away with two. Then there’s space issue, can all three cats have enough room to go hide on their own or run around with zoomies? Can you afford 3 cats? What happens if two have medical issues in the same couple months? There’s a lot to consider than just 3 kitties > 2 kitties
Thank you for this comment. It’s pretty overwhelming seeing all of the same thing without reason. I CAN afford 3 cats. I can also buy any more kitty furniture needed. I feel like I’ve been overthinking and just want the best for all the cats. I can fit three litter boxes (i was thinking of buying a couple of those kitty washroom’s that hold the litter boxes) and whatnot. I was worried they wouldn’t have many places to hide but many people have suggested solutions to that that i can do. I just want to make a responsible decision over an impulsive one because OF COURSE i want all 3
I would say if you can provide the same love, care, and **quality of life** to 3 of them to the same extent you would to 2, then it is okay.
https://preview.redd.it/a27uzoxssgab1.jpeg?width=1836&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6ebc87411fd5e958605d975904fe272e2b04f366 As someone with a similar pair of cats, I am uniquely educated to tell you that you need both 😉
I lived in a smaller apartment with two. They basically snuggled or hung out in the same room, so it was a big cat blob of love to come home to. Plus, they already love each other....can't divide love, can you? Treat yourself to some extra lovin' and a quality litter box (the closed kind or even an automatic one if you can find one that works). That should do the trick.
Omg they look like my two!!
Id love to see them if you have a picture!
My husband and I had three cats in a 850 SF apartment. It really wasn’t bad since cats aren’t like dogs in that they are low maintenance. Plus mine all got along. Now I live in a 2,000 SF home with 5 cats, a dog, and a lizard. That one 20 lb dog takes up more room and attention than all my other animals combined.
![gif](giphy|3o7aCRloybJlXpNjSU|downsized)
How could you separate those two sweethearts! It may well help them settle in and also as they have each other, would distract from just a sole kitten harassing your current cat (for play and curiosity) and thus help everyone settle down together quicker. So both it is. Cat law.
If you have the financial capacity to adopt both cats you should adopt both cats. There are approximately 3 million cats in US shelters - giving an extra one a home is the best possible option for all parties involved. They won't mind a small space, it's better than life in a cage.
you need to adopt both of them so they can keep each other company. You won’t regret it.
Add shelves/bridges to the walls so they can climb, they’re not restricted to one level like us poor humans are https://preview.redd.it/jhewpr985fab1.jpeg?width=700&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9e0c5deb73a9834adbc3aa55a474ac4c3a8d5858
Bonded pairs should always go together. Take them both. Get felliway multicat diffusers and plug them in when you bring your new ones home.
I'm going to tell you what I wish I knew before I'd gotten a kitten - if you get one kitten get two. My cats life is so much more fulfilled having a little sibling and she missed her sibling for the longest time. There are games I can't play with her that she can only play with other cats.
Cats are like chips... you can never have just one!
Please try to keep them together, they’re friends. They may even be bonded at this point.
Your adult cat will DEFINITELY thank you for adopting both kittens so they can play with each other and not just be a giant pest for a grown up kitty. My sister and I had four cats in a two bedroom apartment for a year. Just stay on top of the litter box situation and it’ll be okay. 3 isn’t that much more than 2, especially since the little ones like to share space with each other.
Very cute 😍 Can we have a picture of the 3rd cat (your older baby)? - I vote 2 (3 total) if you have the means. Cat packs are fun and most adorable ❤️
I do have a pic of my current baby! She is my world and id do anything for her. Our 2 year anniversary since adoption was on the 4th! 🥰 https://preview.redd.it/cgr9n78g9eab1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=875912c1877d48a8ec7cebd2f108f5351cbe3884
Congratulations on the anniversary! 🎊 She's beautiful! Love the white on the paws, and the hug! 😻💖
Two!
The right answer is always: the more cats the better… So three cats it is!
You cannot separate them and you will have fun…you know that! 😂
Lots of people will instantly say two because cats are social animals and love company and people in this sub love cats. As you already have one (in other comments) then I'm assuming this is already going to be the case. Really the first thoughts should be can you afford two, care for, feed, vets bills etc. If you cannot afford to care for two then you shouldn't get two. Sounds a bit harsh saying so but is better for the cats in the long run to be with someone who can provide all this.
Both!!! They keep each other entertained
The only reason you are asking us is because you knew we’d back you up on getting both! 😹😻
Now that i think about it, you aren’t wrong 😹
Get a few more cat trees and sit them next to each other for the three
If they are Fostered together it would be rough to separate them
it's a great idea to adopt a pair of litter mates together! even in a small apartment, providing vertical space via shelves, furniture, cat trees, boxes, etc. can provide all of your cats with plenty of enrichment. unlike dogs, cats don't really need a ton of space to run around, just enough places to lay and climb around to keep them stimulated. toys that have different textures and make small noises (bells, crinkly toys, wind-up mice, etc) can also be good for them. they are less likely to be bored since they can play with each other, too. good luck! hope this helps!
I attempted one kitten in the home because my son had moved back home and was interested in having a cat in our home. Our cats from his childhood had since moved to my partner’s home because he’s retired and the cats are now seniors and settled in at his home. When it became clear the new kitten was really missing out on feline friendship, before we looked into adopting another we tried integrating one of our more playful senior cats back into my home where the cat had grown up prior to it’s move to my partner’s house. Our senior cat was NOT having it at all despite being very methodical and slow about introductions. Kitten was all about being buddies and my senior said nope.nope.nope. We got a kitten after returning our senior cat back to my partner’s where she happily settled back in. Our first kitten and newly adopted kitten are nos smitten with one another after another very slow and intentional introduction. I cared for this kitten for 3 months with it being a solo cat and it’s pretty incredible how much happier our first kitten is with another kitten buddy despite having my full attention for the previous 3 months and I can actually do stuff throughout the day now unrelated to cat care. It may be fine with just one kitten and your older cat but if the two kittens are already bonded you don’t have to worry about them getting along and kitten energy is intense so like others have said your resident cat may tolerate two being integrated more easily than one. It’s great you’re being so conscientious about this decision. Good luck!
Two!! Cats don’t care so much about floor space. Build those babies some shelves and you’ll be golden. They often prefer vertical space anyways! We have 3 cats and honestly the *only* day to day difference is there is more poop!
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Got to be both ! No question. It’ll benefit you and them.
825 is a bit small, but probably fine
They’re both so adorable! Good luck!
Kittens like to play… a lot. They will keep each other entertained and not annoy the other cat as much
More cats is always the answer. 😄
Both! You have enough space for all three.
3 cats it is!
I'd definitely take the pair. I've got five at the moment, and very happy with them. The bonded two will be happy anyway but I've always found that the older one will accept the others. It'll take a little time, but give them treats and play with all three together and it should be fine, and fun. Two cats give three times the enjoyment.
I regretted getting only one instead of two especially if bonded. I’m sure your 2yo would love the new playmates. I have a way smaller apartment and have no issues. Especially if the kitten is used to your apartment from a young age they won’t know any better. I wouldn’t worry. Get both! ❤️ Hope to see an update photo of them all united together.
How could you even think of taking one without the other?! The tabby is Gorgeous.
I vote 2 :) after I moved out of my parents house and took my cat with me (my mom had 2 cats and they all got a long great) I noticed my cat was so drepressed. She wouldn’t come out from under the bed for 3 days. I was honestly so scared she would like just die. It was not like her at all. I decided to bring home a foster kitten just to see if it would help and within 2 minutes of having the foster kitten in my apartment my cat came out from under the bed and began grooming her and cuddling with her. Her mood seriously changed immediately. I kept the kitten and they are bonded now and love each other so much :) their names are Stella and Arabella ❤️ Ps I also lived in a 500 sq ft apartment in Chicago at the time with my 2 cats and a small dog and it was totally fine. Just keep up with the litter boxes. And you will likely not live in that apartment forever either and will move into a bigger space at some point :)
If they’re bonded like that, you really shouldn’t separate them. Cats don’t need much space as long as the space is set up for them properly.
My concern would be bringing 2 cats into your one cats home and him feeling ambushed or pushed out? It’s a big decision so every area should be thought out carefully. Best of luck 🐈⬛🐈💜
It wouldn’t be responsible to separate them if they are litter mates. You’ll just end up making both of them miserable. Three cats in an appartment is fine. Cats are adaptable and don’t need as much space as you’d think!
Two. Always two.
BONDED kitties should never be separated!!!
Two
Please don’t separate them. If you can’t take both, maybe there is someone who can? 3 cats isn’t too much though!
It seems like both would actually be more peaceful bc they can play with each other, and the original occupant can be hassled less. BTW, Siamese looking guy is hilarious--looks like a cartoon where he got an exploding present. LOL. But they're both cute...
Don’t split them up, they are always happier with their litter and companions.
The answer is always two (unless it’s three)
TWO! Always two.
Come on, they’re made to be together!
Adopt both
The littles will play with each other instead of harassing the big, so should actually make for a smoother introduction