I need some advice on cat ownership!
My girlfriend and I are thinking about adopting a cat, we went down to a local shelter on Saturday to see if there was one we liked.
We found a really nice five year old pair that need to be homed together,
but we hadn't really thought about getting two cats!
Is having two cats twice the cost and responsibility? will they share things like toys and litter trays?
I am quite keen on the idea but my girlfriend has a few reservations about two cats!
First off, nice one for going the rehoming route, there are plenty of cats out there that need to be rescued.
Two cats is great. We have two brothers and we wouldn't be without them. There is no doubt having two cats is more expensive, particularly when you consider vets bills and food. I would always give a lot of thought to whether you can afford them. Granted you can take out pet insurance for them which should help alleviate the costs should they need any veterinary attention but just be aware that insurance policies are often limited - so read the small print carefully.
Ours have been to the vets a fair bit since we have had them because they are outdoor cats and they get injured but also because we have never taken any chances with them in that regard. If one of them isn't right for any reason we get them looked at. Usually it is just an infected bite or a strained tendon from a bad landing or something though. One also had a chronic gastric infection which meant he had the squits for nigh on two years straight! The other has a urinary condition that means he has to have specialised food for the rest of his life and it costs like £12 for a box of 12 pouches.
Having said all that, ours share a litter tray when they are locked in, they have always shared toys and played together except for the one time we bought them a ball infused with Cat Nip!
They properly turned nasty on each other and fought for it so we took it off them and trew it in the bin!
It is really rewarding having two cats, not least because it is double the fun but also because they are companions for each other too.
Personally I would never want to rehome just one cat again. The last two pairs of cats I have had have both been siblings, two brothers this time and a brother and sister the time before. Naturally I am biased, and I know not everyone wants two cats (or can afford them) but if you have the room, you live in the right kind of neighbourhood and you can afford them - I say go for it!
Some things to consider:
- -Food
- -Vets bills (boosters, treatments etc). A typical trip to our vets, say, if one of them has an infected bite will cost in the region of £25 by the time we have paid for the consultation and the prescription, but we have had the odd bill in excess of £300 - one needed surgery after a grievous wound to his leg and the other had to be kept in under observation after being diagnosed with a urinary tract blockage. Vets bills are likely to be a lot lower if they are indoor cats or if they are of a character where they stay out of trouble.
- - Regular flea treatments and worming products
- -Cat litter (are they indoor or outdoor cats? If indoor - you will be getting through a fair amount of the stuff).
- -Insurance
- -Chips (they are possibly already chipped though, but if not it usually cots around £35 per cat)
- -Cattery / home visit service costs for when you go on holiday (we have used animals at home and it costs around £150 for two weeks. I don't believe in putting them in a cattery but a cattery is probably cheaper). Again you may have friends / family that can pop in and feed them while you are away though.
- -Allergies, make sure you are not allergic to cats before hand!
Whilst they are double the worry when they dont come home on time, and double to cost to feed and vaccinate - they are double the reward too. Ours put a smile on our faces every day, and I mean that in the literal sense. They are like chalk and cheese personalities wise but both awesome in their own different ways
Toys, they will share asa rule, but some will like different things!
