So I will be visiting the breeder tomorrow to see her snow bengal kittens that are 7,5 weeks old now and Iam still undecided if I will choose one or two kittens to go home with me in 6 weeks time. I have lived with cats all my life exept for the last 3 years and I'm really exited to share my home again. I would love to hear all your experiences, thoughts or any other input as I am familiar with cats in general but never had a bengal before. I did read up a lot about the breed though and am choosing bengal because of their character.

Here are my thoughts. I might be wrong about some things or maybe overlook others. If so, please let me know.

The pros of getting two
1. Obviously, two kittens can be playmates and one kitten by itself will miss out on that.
2. This is my chance to get two littermates as opposed to another kitten from a different litter later. I will not get this chance again.
3. Two kittens will keep each other company and they will not get bored as easily. I work four days a week and the idea of one kitten sitting at home alone during that time makes me sad.
4. I am in mainland Europe and some of the breeders here say a bengal definitely needs a playmate and you shouldn't have just one. I want to do what's best for the cat and don't want him to be unhappy.

The cons
1. Two cats will be MORE of everything. Vet visits, food, litterboxes, toys etc.
2. Two cats can mean territorial disputes. This is something you can't know if they are still small, it could happen years from now.
3. I would love to teach my kitten simple things like sitting before getting food, target training, walking on a leash etc. This might be much harder to do when his brother is jumping around in the background demanding attention.
4. It is a lot harder to travel with two cats as opposed to one. Same goes for taking them for a walk.
5. Two cats will bond with each other. The real special bond you can have with one cat might not be the same when there are two.

Any thoughts on the above will be very welcome. I really want to make the right decision, and most of all I want my future cat(s) to be happy

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Linus & Rascal

Instagram: @snow_bengal_brothers #snow_bengal_brothers

Well, I think you've outlined the pros and cons pretty well. IF you EVER plan to have two cats, NOW is the time to get TWO. Littermates are familiar with each other and moving them to your home will not be as big of an issue or stressful for them. So, if you get one, know that down the road if you want to add a cat, things might not go very well.

You simply have to weigh the pros and cons and decide what might be best (although I'm sure when you see the bengal kittens, you mind may get swayed).

Many here have multiple cats/bengals. Yes, vet visits double, food doubles, and they will, and will have already, bonded with each other. There may be territorial issues down the road -- but nothing warms my heart more to see two bengals snuggled up together. Two would always be the best of friends.

Walking two bengals? I would NEVER recommend it. You need another person walking a second bengal. This morning, mine found a cat hiding under the bush and he attacked the cat and in an instant, they were at my feet fighting. This happened just five weeks ago as well. So, I can't even handle one on a 10-foot leash.

If you decide to get two, then the issue is male/male, female/female, or male/female. I would definitely talk with your breeder on that issue.

I know this is an exciting time for you -- so let us know what you decide. I realize I have probably been NO help to you at all, but you have outlined the pros and cons and it is really up to you to decide.

TWO!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think in many ways two is easier than one, when you get them both young like that. So many single bengal owners have problems where their bengal is destructive, attention-seeking, loud etc., and they know that a big part of the solution is to engage the cat and keep them busy and satisfied. But they lack the time and patience to do that. With two, at least during that first, difficult year, they can wear each other out, and get most of the play they need that way.

The other thing, that I think is big that people overlook when making these "pros and cons" lists, is that when you own two bengals, you get to experience a whole lot of social behaviors that you simply would never see with just one.

As far as travelling, at least car travelling, I think at least for the first year, it's a little easier with 2, just because each other's presence is calming to them. After the first year, I don't think it's necessarily harder with two, it's more like the entire experience will depend on the most difficult of the two cats (in my case that's always Serafina).

I'm very glad I got two, and would do it again. Now 7 years later they are no longer inseparable friends, but they do accept one another, and occasionally still play together, and when one isn't around it really does upset the other.

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The little monsters 3

Two for sure

Thank you all for replying. I will be leaving for the breeder in a couple of hours and it's pretty clear to me now that two is the way to go. I will take pictures to post here when I get back!

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Linus & Rascal

Instagram: @snow_bengal_brothers #snow_bengal_brothers

Update: I visited the breeder and made a deposit for two kittens. They are both silver snow bengals. They have the same father but a different mother and grow up in the same house. The oldest is 9 weeks old now and the youngest 7 weeks. I am attaching some pics. Arent they pretty? Can't wait for them to come home!

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Linus & Rascal

Instagram: @snow_bengal_brothers #snow_bengal_brothers

So gorgeous.