The kittens are gorgeous!

It probably is each other's company that keeps them happy when you're away;
I assume someone comes in to feed and water them?

Do take them to the vet, it's best for them to get them checked over.

There are no clear paths of advice for neutering;

Generally neutered cats live longer as they're less inclined to roam, it
also calms them a little and makes them generally fit in with people better.
Perhaps the best reason is that if your male goes unneutered he could father
several thousand stray and feral kittens over the course of his lifetime;
unless you plan to breed I'd advise you to get them both neutered, they'll
both be miserable for a couple of days getting the anaesthetic out of their
system and so on but after that they'll be as per normal.

Good luck with them!

Steve

Neutering is pretty much essential for pets - females to prevent
unwanted kittens and the horrors of trying to live with a queen in
heat; intact males tend to be aggressive and to stink up the place.

There are differing opinions on this, and you will certainly hear from
those who insist that cats should never be allowed out and also from
those who insist that cats must be allowed out. This is a religious
issue.  My opinion is that cats can be happy indoors, but if left to
themselves to decide how to live, most will spend at least some time
outdoors.  The balance of risks and benefits really depends on the
nature of the outdoors where you live: I would never let a cat outside
without a leash if I lived in a city, but I don't - I live far out in
the country where outdoor cats are considered necessary for vermin
control.  My cats have full time access to both inside and outside,
and they sort it out for themselves - some are mostly indoor cats and
some are mostly outdoor cats.  There are real risks outside, but the
ones that go out seem far happier running, climbing, and especially
hunting than the ones that stay inside do sleeping on the bed.

T.E.D. (tdavis@gearbox.maem.umr.edu)
SPAM filter: Messages to this address *must* contain "T.E.D."
somewhere in the body or they will be automatically rejected.

No. The male will spray an aweful smelling urine all through your
house if you do not neuter him. Neutering is not a particularly harsh
thing for male cats, they should be neutered for the same reason that
most stallions should be gelded (i.e., it prevents them from acting
out aggressive sexual and territorial instincts that would otherwise
make them unsuitable companions).

Free and happy coyote or bobcat food around here. Cats can be happy
indoors or outdoors. When I lived on a farm where there were plenty of
trees for cats to climb if necessary and no predators other than a pack
of coydogs that tended to avoid the farm, I let my cats out. One problem
with doing this is that the cats tend to pick up parasites from their prey,
and these parasites often require medicines that put a pretty heavy stress
on the cats' system. I'm pretty sure this contributed to the early demise
of one of my cats. My current cats are indoor-only because I live in a
city now, and they don't seem to mind, indeed, are not even curious about
the outside door and make no attempt to "escape to freedom". They find all
the hunting stimulation they need by hunting each other through the
apartment.

So: unless you live on a farm where there are plenty of trees and
thick brush and outbuildings with small holes in the wall etc. where
cats can escape from predators such as coyotes, it is probably unwise
to let the cat out. Otherwise the cat either ends up as pancake (in the
city) or as dog chow (for the coyote).

The Brits amongst us have a different opinion here. On the other hand,
the Brits have killed all their kitty predators.

- Elron

Gorgeous!

Please take them to the vet ASAP.  They probably need to be wormed (OTC meds
can cause serious problems), they definitely need their immunizations, and
they could even have Giardia which can be transmitted to humans and cause a
painful illness.

Regarding neutering.  An unneutered female will drive you crazy when she
goes into heat (over and over again if she's not mated) and will take every
possible chance to escape and face the dangers awaiting outside (see below).
An unneutered male will eventually start "spraying" to mark his territory
(an *awful* stench!!!).  Neutering both cats will give them a longer
healthier life and you won't be contributing to the over-population of cats
that causes so many horrible, lingering deaths.

Please consider keeping them indoors (if they are used to it, it won't be a
problem, especially if they have toys and scratching posts to keep them
happy).  Consider what can happen to them outside (and unless you have a
special fence for cats, they can't be confined to your yard):  Hit by a car
and *not* killed instantly but lingering on for hours or days in pain and
agony on the side of the road or repeated rolled over by other cars;
poisoned by neighbors who hate strays or have carelessly left something like
rat poison or anti-freeze out; contracting a fatal disease from other strays
or ferals; cat fights where they lose and eye or get infected wounds from a
feral tom; attacked and mauled by dogs; picked up by ruthless characters who
sell them to labs for experimentation (torture); tortured by the sickos of
the world (who seem to mostly pick cats as their victims - some of the
things I've seen reported: a cat placed in a cold oven and then slowly
roasted alive; a cat set on fire; a cat skinned alive; a cat stoned to
death; etc., etc. ad nauseum - *REAL LIFE HORROR STORIES*!!!).

Hugs,

CatNipped

Oh they are just beautiful. If you have time read everything you can in
books and on the internet about cats. Just so you can have a heads up on
changes in behavior as they grow.

Keep each other company they will do. Excrement around the house is usually
a health thing or jealousy thing not a boredom thing. Cats by nature try to
keep themselves and their environment clean. Torn up paper to them is not
garbage. lol.

Vetting is very important for their health now and in the future. Neutering
(Male)and spaying (Female) are very important for their health and to help
prevent unwanted litters from both sides, excrement and urine in the form of
territorial marking in and around your house. you really do not want to come
home after being gone 3 days and your tom has sprayed (Urinated a fine mist
of urine) onto you houseplant's, walls or in your closet on your cloths.
This is not all toms and sometimes females can do it to. Neutering (Male)and
spaying (Female) helps stop certain forms of cancer and helps keep them from
wondering if you choose to let them outside.

I personally never let my current cats outside to roam. I have had many cats
that were indoor outdoor and none of them are with me today and only one
(She lived to be 8) made it over the age of three. They were all well cared
for (Vetted, shots,  Neutering (Male)and spaying (Female).) Cars, poison,
pound and mean people do not care about such things. Thetas just a few
examples of the human eliminate that's not including wild and or tame dogs,
snakes, raccoon's, bobcats and the list goes on. My baby's are content to
look
out windows and glass doors. They love when the occasional bug makes it into
the house, then the hunt is on. I feel that my babies are happier in the
house and safer even if they may not get to do all the things their wild
cousins
do or did. I provide toys to build  and satiate their hunting skills and I
play with them
to help my bond with them stay strong. So if they ever got outside they
would be willing to come to me.

Research and experience are pretty much it.

You are very welcome.

I should think so.

Not at all! He will spray your place (and I can assure you that stinks!),
he will roam and wander away too and get into fights with others. Then you
can pay more to the vet than neutering would cost.

Only if the area is safe as far as traffic is concerned, please.

Carola

If you care about them, they have to go to the vet for their shots ASAP.
There are just too many communicable diseases out there for cats.  Then
discuss with the vet how soon they need to go back in for neutering.

Note: Rabies shots are not required for cats many places, but if they are
likely to be going out and you have a rabies problem in bats, raccoons,
skunks, etc in your area it is a worthwhile investment.  One good rabies
scare and you would have to pay for weeks of quarantine if they haven't had
their shots.

Jo
Jo

Please if you love these kitties have them both fixed and don't let them
out.  They can still be happy living inside.  I don't know where you live
but outside cats have a short life span in a rural setting.  Unless you live
out in the country and your cats can deal with coycotes and other ... I
would not let them out, cars are deadly. Just my thoughts, but have them
both fixed.  You will be glad you did.  Luck and Love to you and yours,
DeborahY

?

If you must let them out, train them to a lead and take them for walks
or if you have a garden let them in that as long as you can make it
cat proof (Difficult I suspect!)if not KEEP THEM IN!

I only has one cat with outdoor access and he went missing at about
3-4 years old. Although some friends think they saw him a few times
over the next few years we don't know for certain what happened.

Another friend of mine had the heartbreak of seeing her two cats
(Brother and sister just like yours and less than a year old) die
horribly in front of her after a neighbour put poison down. He warned
her that he would do that if they went into his garden again but alas
she can't prove it was him so she can't even get the guy for animal
cruelty. (Needless to say she has since moved and doesn't let her new
kitties out)

And we are in the UK, if you're in the US you may have dangerous
predators to cope with as well

Unless you can totally control their environment outside of the house
which you  usually can't- KEEP THEM IN!!!!

Since Speedy Joe went missing I've had four other cats all of whom had
lived indoors and all of whom are or were perfectly happy to do so.
Especially when there are two of them. I mean why would a cat want to
go out when indoors means central heating, good food and slaves at
hand?

Lesley

Slave of the Fabulous (and indoor dwelling) Furballs