Mission Meow
Cat Rescue & Adoptions, INC.
If you've ever raised a litter of kittens or adopted a pair of them, you know how much they
play together. Some of this play is painful, as confirmed by the yowling and complaining
that occurs. The kittens bite and scratch each other, sometimes quite hard.
All the while they are learning from one another that this behavior is not the best way
to make friends! If they're lucky enough to have a momcat around and she hears the ruckus,
she will often give a warning "that's enough of that" to the kittens and they settle down.
In order to become well-socialized cats, kittens need to learn appropriate behavior
from one another. A human is not a substitute for a feline companion.
You can provide attention and love but there is simply no way you can replicate the
play behavior of the species. If they don't learn limits in their play as youngsters,
they often develop inappropriate playful aggression. In other words, it may be cute
when a kitten attacks your ankles when you walk by or playfully nips at your fingers
while you're playing. It will be much less cute- and painful- when your cat is full grown.
Over the years we have placed thousands of cats and kittens. We have also had cats returned to us, often as young adults, that did not work out in their new homes. What we found repeatedly was that single kittens adopted into homes without other young cats/playful dogs frequently develop behavioral problems. Kittens have been returned because of litter box problems. Litter box habits are learned at an early age and kittens actually play a large part in teaching each other how to faithfully go to the proper place when nature calls. Kittens have also been returned because of aggressive play biting. If kittens don't have an appropriate peer to get their energy out on, they will channel that energy into your couch, curtains or your child's face. NO JOKE. Cat behaviorists now believe that kittens raised without kitty companionship transfer the playful biting behavior, which is so important in developing proper manners, to their humans. To prevent these problems, and to encourage the general well-being of the kitten, Mission Meow STRONGLY recommends adopting two kittens if there is not an appropriate pet at home for the kitten to play with. An appropriate pet is one that can closely match the same ENERGY level as the kitten.
Mission Meow will rarely place a single kitten under the age of six months into a home without an appropriate playmate. This is not about placing more kittens and cats. It's about the future of the individual kittens, their habits and their happiness. Many people have been skeptical about adopting two kittens rather than one only to thank us later for sticking to our policy. The rewards are great. We've never had anyone tell us they wished they had only adopted one.
Two kittens playing together is one of the most entertaining activities in the world, both for you and for the kittens. Having two cats will also ensure that they are not lonely when you are away from home. A lonely cat can become neurotic and will sometimes let his/her owner know about their unhappiness by destructive behavior or inappropriate urination. This is not something most people would like to risk.
If you feel you are unable to care for two kittens, we strongly encourage you to consider one of the wonderful teenage kittens or adult cats needing a home. Many of these are young mothers are scarcely more than kittens themselves. They're still very playful and entertaining and have learned good kitty manners from being around other cats. Remember, the difference between a cat and a kitten is only about six months. But a happy cat can bring you joy and companionship for twenty years or more. It's well worth laying a good foundation in their early months. The payback is tremendous.
Do you have an adult cat at home?
Then experience has shown us that adopting TWO kittens is actually much less stressful on your older resident cat, especially if they are over 3 years of age. The kittens will have each other to wrestle & play with while your resident cat can pick & choose when to get in on the action, observe from a distance or leave. A single kitten may become much too pesky for an older cat and behavioral problems from one or both cats may develop!
WHY TWO KITTENS ARE BETTER THAN ONE
BEHAVIORAL BENEFITS:
Do you want your kitten to be cuddly & sweet? A kitten left alone during the day can become lonely and bored, which sometimes can lead to mischief & destruction. Two kittens will never be lonely and will entertain each other. Even if someone is home a lot, we as humans are not suitable peers for kittens. They get their energy out on each other instead of on your couch or your child's face! Because they've expended their playful energy out on each other, then they save the cuddling for the humans. Many people who experience behavior problems with kittens find that they go away when they adopt another playmate. What may be perceived as mischief or destruction of property is often just the result of boredom. Read about the dreaded SINGLE KITTEN SYNDROME & watch the video below to see if you want this type of activity level on your arms & legs!
Also if you have multiple children, it can be a lot of love for only one cat to absorb, therefore the kitten can become aloof and dread human attention. Getting two kittens helps spread the love around for everyone!
CUDDLE FACTOR:
There is no sight so endearing as two kittens curled up together for a nap! Also since they use their feline friend as a playmate, they tend to look at their human owners as more of a cuddle buddy- so they become more affectionate with you!
ENTERTAINMENT VALUE:
Even the most devoted human caregiver can quickly become exhausted by trying to keep up with the energy of a single kitten. Two kittens will wear each other out, leaving their human parent free to just enjoy them.
MOST IMPORTANT REASON:
You're saving two lives instead of one!
MULTI ADOPTION DISCOUNT AVAILABLE!
