If you’ve been considering adopting a cat, one of the most common pieces of advice you may have heard is “Adopt two! It’s so much better!” While there is logic behind adopting two cats simultaneously—especially ones from the same litter—there aren’t only benefits, leading some to question whether two is really better than one.

There are both positive and negative aspects to adopting two cats at one time, and it’s important to consider all of them before jumping in to a multi-cat adoption. Here are some things you need to know.

Pros of Adopting Two Cats

There is no doubt that adopting multiple cats can have numerous benefits to your household—both for you and for the cats themselves. Most shelter and pet 6adoption centers will focus on these positive aspects. Some places will even restrict adoption of some cats unless you are able to adopt its sibling along with it.

The following are some of the major benefits of adopting two cats

• Entertain each other: One of the biggest benefits of having two cats is that they are able to play with and entertain each other all day and all night. While they’ll still come to you for affection and play time, they are less likely to get bored while you’re at work, sleeping or busy because they have each other to socialize and goof off with. Having two cats is a great idea for people who aren’t home as often throughout the day or who have very busy schedules that don’t allow for a lot of dedicated play time each day (although this should still be a priority of yours!).
• Can reduce boredom and anxiety: Because multiple cats in a household are able to entertain and socialize with one another, they are less likely to get bored, which can lead to destruction, or get separation anxiety. With another cat in the home, your cats won’t only rely on you for affection and company and can support each other.
• More to love: Aside from the benefits of reduced boredom and anxiety, having two cats is just more fun! You’ll get twice the fun, twice the snuggles and twice the love as having just one kitty. And, you’ll know that you provided a loving home to not one but two kittens in need.

Cons of Adopting Multiple Cats

Although the benefits of adopting multiple cats are great, there are some drawbacks that need to be considered before you go ahead and sign the adoption papers. These negative aspects won’t necessarily prohibit you from adopting multiple cats, but they should at least be thought through.

• Added expense: Adopting a pet comes with a lot of expenses, from food and litter to toys and accessories. When you adopt more than one cat, many of those expenses multiply by two. The costs of day-to-day pet ownership aren’t the only things that get doubled, either. If both of your cats get sick or develop a medical condition, you’ll have to pay even more for veterinary expenses, which can be extremely expensive for even just one cat.
• Greater responsibility: Adopting a second pet also increases your responsibilities, requiring extra attention to food, water and litter box cleaning, more grooming and additional playtime when the cats aren’t playing together. It’s not difficult to develop a care schedule that works for you and both your cats, but it’s important to be mindful about this adjustment.
• Not all cats will get along: Finally, you must consider that in order to have a happy household with more than one cat, the cats’ personalities must match. Not all cats will get along, or it may take them extra time to warm up to one another. Make sure to pay attention to both of the cats’ temperaments and social capabilities, or you risk causing extra stress instead of creating a loving and fun environment.

Two Can Be Better Than one

Adopting multiple cats can be great, but it’s not always the best choice for everyone. You’ll want to be mindful about the time you have to offer, your budget and whether the pets will clash or connect in your home.

Additionally, consider whether you have enough space for two cats. Cats can get territorial if they don’t have enough individual space, so if your home or apartment is small or cluttered, two might not be the best choice.

To avoid potential conflict between pets, try to adopt young cats at the same time. It’s even better if the cats are siblings and comfortable with one another, because they will already be comfortable with each other’s company. If you’re adopting adult cats, it may be best to adopt one at a time to allow the first to get comfortable in your home before the second is adopted.

If you’re hesitant about adopting two cats, don’t feel pressured to take on more than you can handle. It’s much better to give as much love as possible to one cat than struggle to care for two.