manderguy

My wife has resisted the temptation to get a kitten for too long and has finally given in. The neighbor has rescued four kittens and offered us our choice. They�re five weeks old and adorable (I knew the minute my wife saw one, our cat-less household would be no more).

The home situation: we both like cats, we have two 70 lb dogs that like cats.

We�ve narrowed our choice down to two, and both are male. The most curious and boldest kitten is sort of tiger striped with odd blotches of white, and he will have long hair. He tends to win on personality, but probably won�t be a terribly cute cat. The other is a small black cat. If you look close you can see traces of tiger striping. His hair will probably be shorter (which I prefer), and he tends to win in the looks dept. He also has an interesting personality. He�s not as bold as his brother, but does like to wait till one of his sibs walks by then WHAP! (I�m envisioning lots of nighttime surprises with this one.)

So, which one should we get?

Oh, and name suggestions are welcome.

wildernesse

I would pick one whose personality I loved, because it is easier to deal with the little ups and downs of life when it's your friend you're dealing with, rather than just another somebody.

One of our cats is a cuddly lap cat who purrs all the time and loves being close to you, she's pretty too--she also pees on the carpet (we can't figure out why, exactly) and barfs on the bed (we've fixed this problem). She also has the bad habit of running outside and making us chase her. However, because she's so Sweet and cuddly, those bad habits don't really bother me so much.

--tibac

alek0

You should get both, of course

Claudia

Take both, I second that.
I have taken one kitty some times ago, and we had to take another one 4 months later because she needed company too much. Now I have 2 6 years old cats, and I never regretted to have taken the second one.

Jewel

The advantages of getting both is that they will not be as lonely when you are away. However they might tent to break more of your things while they are kittens as they chase one another through your house. They will grow out of that, though.

2 of my cats are litter mates and I'm glad I decided to keep both of them. They keep each other company and they look so adorable when they are curled up together sleeping.

If you decide that only one will be coming home with you, it sounds to me like you're leaning toward the black one -- so take that one.

CuriosityKills

Take both if your home can handle it. Watching cats play is pretty entertaining, and it is cute to watch them groom each other and curl up together to sleep. Just remember to get them fixed ASAP. Male cats are territorial and will probably start spraying.

If you can take only one, take the one that is the most social. Cats that hide all the time aren't any fun.

manderguy

Hah, yeah, that's the wife's newest idea.

Do people really think getting just one would make a lonely cat? As I said, I've got two cat friendly dogs (from extended stays at my parents who have cats). I just imagined any kitten we got would just see itself as part of the pack, and play with the dogs if it got bored.

FWIW, I think both will be friendly cats. Both warmed up to us really quick, and don't act scared of people. Their sister is a different story.

I do think the long-haired tiger may develop an over the top sort of personality...which would match our German Short-Haired pointer. I'm not sure whether I think that's good or bad.

Oh without a doubt. Whether we get one or both, they're getting snipped as soon as the vet is willing to do it.

RevDahlia

Cats who are used to having siblings around get neurotic when they are separated.

Another vote for "get both" here. Two cats are not much more work than one, and they'll take care of each other and amuse you.

They should stay with their mother for at least another two weeks, though.

penumbra

Based on personal experience, I ditto the get-em-both opinion, although you have to bear in mind that at some point down the road you may have one become more dominant (the old alpha male thing). Even if they are fixed, an alpha male will sometimes develop a spraying habit when other cats, even siblings, are in the house.

Make sure you have a "safe haven" for them (away from the dogs) for the first week or two and let them get used to the home gradually.

tribalbeeyatch

My advice for everybody: If your cats do start spraying or developing other strange urination habits, by all means please get them tested for a urinary tract infection. My wife works at the local Human Society and finds that most cats that are surrendered because of these problems end up having easily treatable infections. Some of these people even consult their vets only to be told that it is a behavioral problem -- make them do the UTI test so that you can be certain.