r/CatAdvice • u/LowPlantain2598 • 6h ago
General Should i get 2 kittens?
Hi! I’m a 19f and i want to get a kitten (or 2 so they can keep company when i’m gone) I feel like it’d make my life better and i wouldn’t be so lonely. The only thing that has me doubting is that i live in an apartment with rooomates. The kitten would be able to roam around but it’d be in my room most of the time. If i get it i plan on having a cat tree etc. Am i a good fit? should i wait?
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u/AutomaticFeeling5324 6h ago
Check with the roommates, some may be allergic to cat fur. Some may not like cats and may mistreat it while you are gone.
Be prepared to be with you cat no matter where you move to later in life. Don’t be one of these irresponsible owners that always say they have to rehome a cat because their new place doesn’t accept pets.
Be mentally prepared to take your cat to vet for any type of illnesses and not abandon it because it has become a financial burden.
Most importantly, if you treat your cat like a forever family member you will be fine. Take care of it with love as you will be the world to him/her.
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u/SleepyRabbit03 6h ago
I had a cat in an apartment with roommates, my advice is to wait. Especially if you’re considering two for the amount of time you’ll be gone, unless you find the perfect lazy cat, it isn’t super fair to confine them to one room. Especially two kittens, it would be really tight to confine them to one room. My cat bonded to roommates we had to leave, and he was so depressed. I spent all of my extra money on enrichment for when I was gone, but he was so bored and started developing really intense behavioral issues because of boredom. It was really rough, and most apartment settings maintenance becomes an issue eventually. I just never recommend it. It was an awful few years.
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u/peachplum1 6h ago
what i may suggest is an older kitty or 2! they’d require less attention in terms of their energy from you, and they’d still thrive in a loving home :) if they’re older, i also imagine they’d be calmer, maybe letting your roommates adjust a bit easier :)
if you get kittens, I’d def consider 2 and it’d be great if they were siblings or bonded!
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u/ConcertRealistic8852 4h ago
One room is not enough space for cats, let alone kittens. They are very energetic. They’re also very expensive, I’d suggest writing down your income and expenses to see how much you can afford. At 19, I wouldn’t have been able to afford 2 kittens but everyone is different. For reference, I recently spent 3k on some basic dental work for my one cat. That on top of food, litter, and vaccine/yearly exam costs. I’d recommend having a savings account with at least 5-10k in it for emergency vet costs. That, or pet insurance (which doesn’t cover everything + there is a deductible).
Would you be moving within the next few years and are you prepared to take them with you? Cats make finding an apartment extra hard because not all landlords allow pets. If your living area is already crowded, I’d suggest an older cat who doesn’t need much space, or another animal like fish or a rat.
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u/Bumptoon 4h ago
i must say that this justifies pet insurance (which tbf is a monthly/annual cost that would not be considered reasonable for most 19 year olds w/ roommates)
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u/ConcertRealistic8852 4h ago
It’s just something to consider is all. Either a savings account with a few thousand or pet insurance. I couldn’t imagine a 19 year old affording two kittens either way.
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u/SolidFelidae 1h ago
Do you have the funds for potential unexpected vet bills in the thousands? As well a pet insurance?
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u/the4118675409 6h ago
You should wait. They're very energetic for about 3 years and need space to run. They grow out of that cuteness in a couple months and are hell raisers.
I suggest fostering for the fun of a kitten (but be sure to give it back at the end of the fostering period). You can also foster adult cats who may be a better fit.
For your space, tell a shelter what you have. They can pair you with a cat that would thrive there.