hi paul, welcome to the forum

i personally agree 2 are better than one if you spend a lot of time out. each cat is different of course, & some cope just fine as an only cat, but generally they are active & inquisitive cats & one may get bored & mischievious being alone all day.

i don't personally think having 2 is any harder work than one but you do need to take into account the costs...even if your second one is just a rescue kitten you will still have double food & veterinary costs.

Hi Paul,

Congratualtions on wanting to be a Bengal parent.

When my hubby and me first decided to get "our" first pet together we were just going for one - then I had the same concerns as yourself.

We both work full time, will they be lonely, etc, etc.

I have, however, had cats sice I was about 2 years old - I am now 29. However, I have not lived with a cat for 5 years, after I moved out.

I posed the question to my breeder and these lovely people on the forum and was advised that it can be better to have two - they can be less destructive/lonely with company. But it doesn't have to be a bengal. If you really wanted two, have you thought about a rescue kitten, that usually cost a small donation to the centre?

You could see how it went in the beginning and then make your decision a few weeks down the line?

I am now getting my two Bengal babies in December. But I'm not sure how you would feel with two if you have never had any before - by my previous experience I have not found them hard work.

What are other people's thought? I think I have rambled enough.

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Kato & Leon

I had considered a rescue kitten but was unsure about how they would get on together, also would a "normal cat" balance things a bit more i.e would two Bengals be more than twice the work!
The breeder we saw only has female kittens left and also have a gorgeous silver female from a previous litter that is around 4 months old and great fun. Her and a brown kitten would be very tempting!

I am not worried about the monthly costs I have budgeted around £30 - £40 per cat per month for food, litter and insurance does that sound right?
Obviously this would excluded vet bills, cattery costs etc.
I think there is a mental block about spending £800 on a pet (something I have met resistance from other cat owners!).

I'm firmly in the multiple cat camp but I've always had several at the same time so might be biased. Personally I don't think two are any more work than one, in fact probably less so as they don't always look to you for attention and entertainment. I'm out at work full time and I like my cats to have feline company while I'm gone. I've currently got one 18 month old Bengal and three 5 month old moggies and it's working well.

There are plenty of cats who are more than happy as solo cats though so there isn't really a right or wrong - just go with how you feel

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Many cats seem happy on their own but we are in the same boat as you (out at work all day) so decided to get two.

Originally we were going to get one bengal and one moggie (mainly due to cost). When we picked out Neo from a lovely local breeder his sister Mojito was not available however when we first went to visit Neo we found out that Mojito had become available and we couldn't resist getting them both

We actually find it less work with 2 as they keep each other occupied and wear each other out a bit . They totally adore each other and I can't imagine what it would have been like with just one

They even watch TV together


Let us know what you decide - and don't forget the pics

M

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Kato & Leon

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Tracey

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Kato & Leon