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Same litter or different? PDF Print E-mail
Written by Melanie   
We often get asked if it is advisable to get two kittens from the same litter or different litters and my answer varies depending on the situation.
 
In a perfect world it is ideal to get two kittens from the same litter. A kitten going to a new home on its own will obviously be a little lost and confused initially as it has been around mum and his siblings for his whole life up until that point. Two kittens going home together can keep each other company, play together and often won't "cry" at night because there is a familiar warm, furry body to cuddle up to.
 
Two kittens going home together is probably more important for people that lead a hectic work life. Burmese are an active breed that requires company. If you are out for extended periods most days of the week your Burmese is likely to get board and possibly even get up to mischief. In saying that we have had a number of people that initially intended on owning 1 cat come back for a second (see Jason and Cassandra's story below) therefore often getting the second kitten a number of months or even years after the first and have had no trouble at all.
 
Here are some things to consider....
 
1. If you are very specific about the colour and sex combinations you are interested in it may be IMPOSSIBLE for the breeder to provide you with two kittens from the same litter. Some colours may be genetically impossible from a particular mating meaning you may have to get your kittens from two seperate litters.
 
2. The breeder may also have considerable waiting list for some colours so if one of the colours you are interested in has a long waiting list or is a genetically recessive colour it may mean you have to wait a long time to get the specific colour and sex combinations of interest to you from the same litter.
 
3. The younger the first cat is the easier it is to introduce a kitten. Older cats can become somwhat territorial and less tollerant of an annoying little kitten that keeps pestering it. In saying this, I have seen older cats get a new lease on life once they have become accostomed to the kitten, appreciating the companionship and often taking on a mothering role. Burmese generally love company, so it would be unusual for them not to take to a kitten. In general terms, I would expect both cats to be getting on within 3 - 5 days. In some cases our customers have had both cats playing within hours of bringing the second kitten home.
 
4. Providing you are in a position where you can spend time with your first kitten, settling him in, playing with him, cuddling him etc there isn't going to be a drama with getting your kittens seperatly if that is what is necessary. 
 
 
Should you decided to get two kittens from different litters we have detailed information on how to introduce a kitten to an existing cat on our website under the hidden USER MENU that is accessible to our customers once the login with their USERNAME and PASSWORD. 
 
 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: 

 

Q: We are thinking about getting 2 kittens. Are we better of getting 2 boys, 2 girls or a boy and a girl?

 A: If you are getting 2 kittens from the same litter in my personal experience it doesn't matter. You may like to read the information on PURRsonality under the ABOUT ME tab on this website.

If you are getting your kittens from different litters my advice would possibly vary depending on the sex and temprement of your existing cat. In most cases I would possibly lean towards a girl if you had an existing MALE as some male cats can be a little more territorial. If you have an existing female cat you could really go either way.

In many ways I love seeing people that are getting 2 kittens get one of each. Although every cat is unique and special I love the fact that there are some minor differences between the boys and the girls and think it is nice for people to experience that.

 

Q: We just love our 4 month old kitten we bought from you. He is so affectionate and sweet that we are thinking about getting another one. When should we introduce another one and should we get a boy or a girl?
 
A: Get another kitten as soon as possible. The younger your existing cat is the easier it will adjust to having another cat around and it is nice for them to grow up together and be playful kittens together. Don’t rush out and buy the first Burmese available. Take time to get one from a reputable breeder a couple of months is not going to make much difference. Remember you are likely to have this kitten for 14+ years so a bit of a wait is probably worth it.
 
If your existing cat was a mature (over 9 months old) male I would probably suggest you get a female. Males are usually more territorial and will usually adjust to having a younger “woman” around a little easier that having another boy around to contend with.
 
If you had an existing older female you could go either way. Females don’t tend to be as territorial as the males.
 
If you have a younger cat/kitten (Under 9 months) you can usually go either way but I usually recommend you get the opposite to what you already have. This way you get to experience the personality of both sexes. It also reduces the chance of territoral issues arrising (usually between an exisitng male cat being introduced to a younger male kitten). I often find that the female cats bond with the human males living the home and the male cats bond with their female human “slaves” so if you have a cat of each sex nobody is left out! And...it is always nice to keep things even.
 
 
A CUSTOMERS THOUGHTS: 
 
Dear Melanie,

 

Junior is growing up so fast.  He and Axle are inseparable (junior needs far less alone time than axle – which suits Cass just fine!) – they play, fight, groom and sleep with each other constantly.  Please be aware that Junior has far exceeded any hopes we had for another perfect cat, I really don’t know how you do it!  His personality is unbelievable and he doesn’t even have a cuddle threshold – which means Cassandra can cuddle and nurse him pretty much when ever and for how ever long she wishes, junior turns into a complete ragdoll.  Most importantly - Axle is far happier (seems to baby junior a bit, which gives him purpose), doesn’t get lonely when left at home (being always cuddled up in his bed with junior when we get home), enjoys far more exercise (junior is after him constantly) thus sleeps better and no longer enjoys tormenting Cassandra in his spare time.  

 

Jason and Cassandra (Jan 09)
 
 
Last Updated on Friday, 15 October 2010 03:32
 

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