Adopting two kittens at the same time is easier than with one, surprisingly, plus they’re twice the fun

/by

Cookie and Cream

Cream (A505383) and Cookie (A505387) are graduates of Pasadena Humane’s foster program. They have been cared for by one of our foster families for about a month, and they’re now ready for their forever home.

I must admit, I find nothing quite so adorable as a litter of kittens. When they snuggle all together in one fur clump, it is the sweetest thing. And when they get a little older and start to play, I get exhausted just watching and laughing at their crazy antics.

It’s still kitten season here in Southern California, and shelters around the area are full of tiny felines looking for new homes. Kittens are cute, fun and rambunctious — and contrary to what you may think — are best adopted in pairs!

Peaches and Apricot

Peaches (A505630) and Apricot (A505632) are siblings who were found in someone’s back yard. The finder was able to foster them at her home until they were big enough to be adopted.

It might seem like twice the kittens would be double the work, but, in most cases, adopting two kittens is easier than one. Here are five reasons why:

  • Instant Entertainment: Kittens are very active and playful. When you adopt two together, they have a friend to help them burn off energy through play. This results in less destructive and mischievous behavior and reduces the burden on you to be their primary source of enrichment.
  • Learning How to Be a Cat: Kittens learn how to inhibit bites and scratches by playing with their littermates. When a kitten bites too hard, its sibling or friend will let them know. They also learn litterbox and grooming habits by watching one another.
  • Exercise Buddy: Having a feline playmate will keep your cat more active and reduces the risk of them becoming overweight.
  • Relieve Pressure on Other Pets: Bringing home a kitten duo will alleviate the burden on your existing pets. A solo kitten might annoy your resident adult cat with their constant need to play.
  • Save Twice the Lives: When you adopt a pair of kittens, you are helping two homeless cats instead of one. Plus, you will free up more kennel space at your local shelter to welcome another litter of kittens in need.

You might be wondering if kittens need to be littermates to get along. The answer is no! You can successfully introduce two similarly aged and sized kittens who are unrelated. You may need to keep them separate at first to ensure both kittens are healthy, but once they are medically cleared, you can let the introductions begin.

Banana and Pajamas

Banana (A504935) is a little bit on the shy side, but luckily has his brother Pajama (A504938) to let him know everything is OK. Shy kittens really benefit from an outgoing sibling.

Ready to bring home a purring pair? We currently offer 2-for-1 kitten adoptions!

The $150 adoption fee includes the spay/neuter surgery, a microchip, age-appropriate vaccines and a free wellness exam at a participating VCA Veterinary Hospital.

View adoptable cats and kittens at pasadenahumane.org/pets

Dia DuVernet is president and CEO of Pasadena Humane.

This blog post originally appeared as a column in the Pasadena Star-News on October 17, 2022.

Mac and Cheese

Mac (A505688) and Cheese (A505689) love playing hide and seek! They usually forget who is supposed to be “it” but neither one seems too worried about rules. Their antics are comedy gold.