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The Two Kitten Rule

two kittens playing

Why Two?

 

Very often, people ask to adopt only a single kitten, who would be an only pet. At Home at Last Rescue, we want the best for our much loved cats and kittens, and we want the best experience for you, the new owner, as well.  Working with our kitties, we get to know their personalities and what works best for them. Some cats must be a one and only, some are strongly bonded pairs and must be kept together and some need cat or dog friends in their lives. 

Many people have been skeptical about adopting two kittens rather than one only to thank us later for sticking to our policy. The rewards are great. We’ve never had anyone tell us they wished they had only adopted one. 

Meow Cat Rescue – Single-Kitten Syndrome

OUR TWO KITTEN RULE 

Kittens under the age of 9 months must have another age appropriate cat or dog in their home. 
If you have no other pets, then you must adopt two kittens (or a kitten and older cat).  

Why We Have the Two Kitten Rule

Kittens need time to learn from their siblings and appreciate the wonderful bond that can form with humans. Getting two kittens together is much easier than introducing a second cat later on. Leaving a kitten alone while you work is asking for trouble, and the lone kitten will find it. Kittens learn from each other and burn off energy playing. They are calmer, happier kittens for having one another. Your kittens will still want to snuggle and play with you too. 

That tiny little kitten will grow very quickly and be cat size in no time. If you really can manage or want only one cat, then please take a look at our older kittens and cats. Given that cats routinely live into their teen years, kittens are ‘young’ for a long time. When they are slightly older, their personalities are more obvious and they are better behaved. Older kittens will have had their second round of immunization and have already been neutered or spayed. 

One further point to note. If your resident cat is a senior, think twice before adopting a kitten. The high energy of the kitten often stresses and exhausts an older cat. 

We are not the only ones who strongly believe in the ‘two kitten rule’. Here are some articles to read as a starting point if you want to research further: