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Cat Forum / General Topics / November 2006

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New Cat Owner Questions

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Douglas - 25 Nov 2006 22:10 GMT
I'm thinking about adopting 2 kittens and have several questions.

1.  As far as the kittens getting along,  would it be better to adopt 2 male
kittens, 1 male and 1 female, or 2 females?  I was thinking about getting
two littermates.

2.  Is it a good idea to have separate feeding & watering bowls for each
cat.

3.  Is it better to get separate litter boxes for each cat?

4.  Do kittens like to chew on electric cords, computer cords, etc.?

Thanks for any help and suggestions.  I have owned several dogs over the
years, but never cats.
jwardl - 25 Nov 2006 22:29 GMT
Disclaimer: I've had some cats, and still do. I'm not a vet, nor a
self-professed expert. All answers are JMHO:

> I'm thinking about adopting 2 kittens and have several questions.
>
> 1.  As far as the kittens getting along,  would it be better to adopt 2
> male kittens, 1 male and 1 female, or 2 females?  I was thinking about
> getting two littermates.

Doesn't matter, as long as they're "fixed." You might want to put them
together in the same room, separated by some kind of partition to see how
they get along. As long as they don't try to actually fight each other
right-off, they'll learn to get along.

> 2.  Is it a good idea to have separate feeding & watering bowls for each
> cat.

A communal bowl is better. It'll help teach them that they're equals. In
fact, I'd make it a point to get them both at the same time, and let them
out into the house at the same moment, next to each other. That way, one
won't "claim" the house as his, and see the other as an invader.

> 3.  Is it better to get separate litter boxes for each cat?

It's cleaner, perhaps -- but I think one is best, again, for "equality"
reasons.

> 4.  Do kittens like to chew on electric cords, computer cords, etc.?

That's a personality issue. Some do, others don't.

Good luck. Cats are different. They're generally more aloof and independent
than dogs, but, personalities differ. Some will be very affectionate, others
not so much. In general, some breeds are more attention-seeking than others.
They can be alot of fun, though -- and they're lower maintenance than dogs.
Enjoy, and, don't hesitate to ask the group here if you have any other
questions.
blkcatgal - 25 Nov 2006 23:25 GMT
Here are my opinions.

> I'm thinking about adopting 2 kittens and have several questions.
>
> 1.  As far as the kittens getting along,  would it be better to adopt 2
> male kittens, 1 male and 1 female, or 2 females?  I was thinking about
> getting two littermates.

The gender shouldn't matter since you are getting them together and I assume
they will be neutered/spayed.  Personally, I like male cats; they always
seem friendlier than females, but that is only my opinion.

> 2.  Is it a good idea to have separate feeding & watering bowls for each
> cat.

With my 2 cats, I have separate feeding bowls.  Makes it easier for each of
them to eat.  I have one big water dish for both.

> 3.  Is it better to get separate litter boxes for each cat?

The rule of thumb is to have one litter box per cat.....meaning with 2 cats
you should have at least 2 boxes.  They will both use each box....you cannot
expect to have separate litter boxes for each cat.

> 4.  Do kittens like to chew on electric cords, computer cords, etc.?

It really depends on the cat.  My one cat doesn't have any interest in
chewing cords, but he loves to chew plastic.  My other cat does chew cords.
You just have to watch them and if you see that they are chewing cords,
etc., you have to discipline them with a firm "NO."  There also is stuff you
can buy (bitter apple) at the pet store that you can put on cords to deter
the cat from chewing.

> Thanks for any help and suggestions.  I have owned several dogs over the
> years, but never cats.

Welcome to cat-ownership!  Remember, you don't really own a cat, the cat
owns you.

Sue
Nicolaas Hawkins - 26 Nov 2006 00:17 GMT
> I'm thinking about adopting 2 kittens and have several questions.
>
> 1.  As far as the kittens getting along,  would it be better to adopt 2 male
> kittens, 1 male and 1 female, or 2 females?  I was thinking about getting
> two littermates.
Given the choice I would opt for one of each, but any combo should be
fine.

> 2.  Is it a good idea to have separate feeding & watering bowls for each
> cat.
Probably.

> 3.  Is it better to get separate litter boxes for each cat?
Definitely.

> 4.  Do kittens like to chew on electric cords, computer cords, etc.?
Definitely.  But not as much as puppies, which will chew ANYTHING.

> Thanks for any help and suggestions.  I have owned several dogs over the
> years, but never cats.

Signature

Regards,
Nicolaas.

... The problem with the gene pool is that there is no lifeguard.

Lesley - 26 Nov 2006 00:38 GMT
> I'm thinking about adopting 2 kittens and have several questions.
>
> 1.  As far as the kittens getting along,  would it be better to adopt 2 male
> kittens, 1 male and 1 female, or 2 females?  I was thinking about getting
> two littermates.

Apart from Speedy Joe  (RB) ny cats have always been littermates. Then
again I got them as kittens and thought it was kinder to take two since
the day I take them is the day they are removed from mum and siblings
and at least they had each other ....

> 2.  Is it a good idea to have separate feeding & watering bowls for each
> cat.

Mine share a bowl for both eating and drinking but its double sided

> 3.  Is it better to get separate litter boxes for each cat

Yes and no in my experience they use the cleanest box

> 4.  Do kittens like to chew on electric cords, computer cords, etc.?

Sometimes.. put cables out of the way

> Thanks for any help and suggestions.  I have owned several dogs over the
> years, but never cats.
Lesley - 26 Nov 2006 00:38 GMT
> I'm thinking about adopting 2 kittens and have several questions.
>
> 1.  As far as the kittens getting along,  would it be better to adopt 2 male
> kittens, 1 male and 1 female, or 2 females?  I was thinking about getting
> two littermates.

Apart from Speedy Joe  (RB) ny cats have always been littermates. Then
again I got them as kittens and thought it was kinder to take two since
the day I take them is the day they are removed from mum and siblings
and at least they had each other ....

> 2.  Is it a good idea to have separate feeding & watering bowls for each
> cat.

Mine share a bowl for both eating and drinking but its double sided

> 3.  Is it better to get separate litter boxes for each cat

Yes and no in my experience they use the cleanest box

> 4.  Do kittens like to chew on electric cords, computer cords, etc.?

Sometimes.. put cables out of the way

> Thanks for any help and suggestions.  I have owned several dogs over the
> years, but never cats.
Victor Martinez - 26 Nov 2006 15:50 GMT
> 1.  As far as the kittens getting along,  would it be better to adopt 2 male
> kittens, 1 male and 1 female, or 2 females?  I was thinking about getting
> two littermates.

IME, boy siblings get along wonderfully.

> 2.  Is it a good idea to have separate feeding & watering bowls for each
> cat.

You do want two bowls in this case for food. For water, I highly
recommend a watering fountain, like petmate.

> 3.  Is it better to get separate litter boxes for each cat?

The rule of thumb is one box per cat.

> 4.  Do kittens like to chew on electric cords, computer cords, etc.?

Some do, some don't. If yours do, get some bitter apple spray.

Signature

Victor M. Martinez
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