Cats make wonderful pets and companions and the joy and love they can bring to a household is beyond measure.
But there is one burning question that must be answered when searching for a new pet:-
'Should I get one cat or two?'
Granted, there are benefits to owning just one pet. Your new family member will be the focus of attention and will benefit from being the centre of attraction. Your children will love the joy of one-to-one interaction.
Additionally, the overall expense of caring for a single cat will be kept low. Your cat's food, medical, bedding and litter costs will be much easier to work into your family budget than if you owned two pets. The fact that there will not be a second cat sharing your home will also avoid the potential for any feline conflict.
But would you be making the kindest choice to choose just one cat? Would having another cat to share companionship with ensure that your cat will be happy?
Consider the benefits of owning two cats:
Companionship for each other - especially if left on their own for long periods.
Sociability. In the wild, feral cats naturally live in large groups which have a social structure.
Giving a home to litter-mates is the easiest route to take.
Double the pleasure for you!
Of course, there are also a few disadvantages to owning more than one cat. These include:
Increased costs in the form of food, medical bills, boarding fees.
Although most cats are sociable, some are not. A few will actually prefer to have you all to themselves.
Problems with behavior are more likely than with a solitary cat.
Your pets may be more content to spend time with each other than with you.
Once you have considered whether you wish to choose one or two new pets, do make sure that you see several different cats or kittens. You will find that you quickly get a good idea of which individual animals suit you best and you will be able to choose the right one - or two - for you.
With this knowledge, you will be in a good position to successfully select just the right animal for your needs - either one that will be happy living alone or two cats that will live companiably together.
Whatever you choice - enjoy the love and affection of your new family members!
