Some kittens are lucky enough to enter a forever home that has another cat waiting to befriend them, but others go without companionship. The idea of adopting two kittens overwhelms some adopters, but in many cases, the benefits outweigh the challenges. Here’s how adopting a pair benefits both the kittens and the adopter:

1. Cats and kittens are not solo creatures.
2. Kitten companions improve behavior.
3. Pairs of kittens get more exercise and enrichment.
4. Cats and kittens comfort each other.
5. Two kittens are more entertaining. 
6. Resident pets accept two kittens with ease. 
7. Pairs of kittens adjust quicker in a new home.
8. Adopting a pair saves four lives.

Cats and Kittens Are Not Solo Creatures

Cats may roam independently when left to their own devices, but have you ever seen a group of cats outside? Perhaps a feral colony or group of community cats? Many people are unaware that these are groups of cats with social structures and family units. 

Contrary to common belief, most cats enjoy the company of other cats, because this is how they behave without human intervention. Think about what you see with mother cats and their kittens, or try to remember a time when you saw two cats interacting. Sure, perhaps not every moment was super zen. But did you ever see behaviors like grooming, playing, cuddling, or even simply looking out the window together? 

This is why keeping cats and kittens with same-species companions is a great way to honor their true nature. When someone adopts a kitten, the ideal situation is that the kitten goes to a home that has another resident cat. However, keeping two kittens together is a way to ensure that each cat has a buddy without having to go through the lengthy introduction process. 

Kitten Companions Improve Behavior

Non-preferred kitten behaviors are one of the most common reasons that kittens and young adult cats are rehomed and surrendered to shelters around the country. Many adopters deal with behaviors such as biting people, attacking anything that moves, and ruining furniture. 

These adopters just received a crash course in what’s commonly known as Single Kitten Syndrome. They’re dealing with a kitten who grew up in a home without siblings, other cats, or cat-friendly animals to teach them how to behave appropriately. Cats and kittens do an amazing job of teaching each other what appropriate physical and behavioral limits are, and many solo kittens never get to learn. 

When kittens have a feline companion, they finally have a chance to learn how to behave. Some kittens are even lucky enough to have a canine sibling who will help them exert aggressive play behaviors while also letting them know when they cross the line. What’s even better, however, is when a kitten has a friend of similar size and age. Instead of attacking your ankles, they’re attacking each other! They’re less likely to see human body parts as play and prey objects when they have a playmate to wrestle whenever they want. 

Pairs of Kittens Get More Exercise and Enrichment

Aside from wrestling each other, kittens who are lucky enough to live with a fellow kitten have more opportunities to exercise their minds and bodies. They provide constant entertainment for each other through:

• Hunting and stalking each other
• Observing each other
• Running together
• Playing chase
• Wrestling 
• Exploring together

Single kittens, on the other hand, rely on you to attempt to provide all of the above. This often causes frustration for both the kitten and the adopter.  

Cats and Kittens Comfort Each Other

Whether it’s during a chaotic time or when you’re out of town, having a feline companion helps your kitten feel comforted. They can soothe each other by grooming and cuddling together. When stressful changes occur in the home, pairs of kittens will serve as a source of comfort for each other because they are each others’ constant – something that hasn’t changed. 

Overall, having this lifelong companion improves the emotional and physical wellbeing of your kittens, allowing them to thrive long-term. It doesn’t have to be a biological sibling or even a companion that’s the exact same age. While it’s very special and ideal when that happens, especially in the case of bonded pairs of kittens, it can even be someone they were housed with in foster care or at the shelter. 

Two Kittens Are More Entertaining

Adopting two kittens means you’ll get twice the level of cuteness and entertainment. Watching them learn and grow together will bring you an endless amount of joy, and just imagine all of the adorable pictures you’re going to have! Having two cats in the home means that each cat’s personality blossoms even more, so any personality quirks you currently love about cats will be amplified with a duo of kittens.

While you’ll still need to engage your cat in play, you’ll quickly find that the feline friends do an amazing job of engaging each other in play on their own. They’ll hunt each other and explore together, making for hilarious antics to observe. And of course, they’re sure to have plenty of precious cuddling moments for you to swoon over. 

Resident Pets Accept Two Kittens With Ease

If you already have pets in your home, having a pair of kittens to keep each other busy means that your resident pets won’t be the kittens’ main focus. Many adopters of single kittens find that after an introduction period, the kitten won’t leave their resident dog or cat alone. The constant hunting and wrestling, depending on your resident pet’s personality, can cause a lot of stress and put a strain on the relationship. 

Pairs of kittens, on the other hand, will hunt and wrestle each other instead of only your resident pet. This healthy balance of attention fosters a calmer relationship between everyone. 

Pairs of Kittens Adjust Quicker in a New Home

In a new environment, kittens serve as each other’s constant factor/a source of familiarity. They will take cues from one another, and the boost of confidence that they share will encourage them to explore more. Jackson Galaxy refers to this as a cat’s “mojo.”

A new kitten will usually take some time to spread their scent and expand their territory. Two kittens, on the other hand, will spread their scent all over their new home farther and quicker than they would be able to do on their own. This is a great way to help your kittens feel confident in their home base and beyond. 

Adopting a Pair Saves Four Lives

It’s often said that when you adopt one animal, you save two lives – the life of the animal you adopted and the life of the animal that gets the now-empty spot in the shelter or foster home. Of course, whenever you adopt more than one animal at a time, you save several lives. You save the two lives of the kittens you adopted, and two more lives on top of that. 

Adopting kittens in pairs also frees up space in foster homes and shelters at a faster rate. Many rescues and foster organizations are thrilled when they can get kittens adopted out in pairs, because before they know it, their foster room or kennel is empty. This enables them to quickly turn around and help the next litter of kittens that needs them. When each kitten is adopted out individually, the process is slower

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In honor of June being “Adopt a Cat Month,” please consider adopting two kittens instead of one! If you’re understandably concerned about the drawbacks of more vet bills and cost of supplies, please at least consider the importance of allowing your new kitten to have another animal companion in their home. Whether it’s a cat-loving dog sister or a big cat brother who loves to wrestle, kittens need companionship. Adopting two kittens at the same time is not right for everyone, but when it happens, the bond you get to be a part of is amazing. 

If you’re looking for more tips on kitten adoption and how to improve your cat’s wellbeing, check out the following resources:

• Cat Enrichment
• What’s a Kitten’s Home Base?
• A Guide to Basic Kitten Care
• Cat-to-Cat Introductions

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• Pinterest
• TikTok

Exploring animal welfare one foster kitten at a time