Five Reasons We Recommend Adopting Kittens in Pairs

“Kitten Season” is right around the corner, and we are SO looking forward to their little mews, snuggles, and mischief. If you are planning to adopt a kitten from RMFR we have one request for you - consider adopting two. 

No, this isn’t a sales tactic to adopt more cats (although we do want to find forever homes for more cats, of course!). The reason is “Single Kitten Syndrome,” a group of behavioral issues that often arise in kittens adopted out alone. Two kitten households can have significant benefits for cats and humans alike. Here are five reasons we recommend adopting kittens in pairs:

Keeping kittens “in school”. 

The first several months of a kitten’s life are their most formative. It’s when they learn “how to cat” for lack of a better term. While humans can try our best to teach them these skills, we will never be as good teachers as other cats. Kittens need other kittens or cats to learn social skills, good hygiene, positive behavior, and independence. Adopting two kittens will increase the chances of them becoming the type of adult cats you want to have in your home, not to mention it is adorable, rewarding, and hilarious to watch them learn and grow together.

A cleaner, less stinky home.

While it’s true that double the cats means double the litter scooping, adopting two kittens actually helps make sure that what you’re scooping is IN the litter box, not outside of it. A two kitten household is less likely to see their furry little friends going to the bathroom outside of their litter box. They’re also less likely to grow up into adults who mark their territory by spraying, keeping your home smelling fresh and clean.

Your hands and ankles.

Kittens love to play, and when they have another kitten buddy to play with, it can greatly reduce the amount of scratch/bite marks on you throughout your life. Kittens need one another to learn how to play properly. Without this experience, they may develop undesirable habits like scratching and grabbing at your hands and ankles during play time. 

It’s not that much more work.

You’re probably thinking to yourself “doesn’t double the kittens mean double the work?” While we can’t guarantee that each kitten won’t have individual needs that require your attention, they are incredibly good at entertaining themselves when they have a buddy. This does not mean they won’t be social or affectionate towards the humans in the household! It means you are more likely to have two social, but also independent adult cats. 

You save two lives instead of one. 

We saved the best (and most obvious) for last! If you are curious about adopting two furry little friends, the dedicated and knowledgeable staff and volunteers at RMFR are ready to help you find the perfect kitten pair for your home.

Interested in adopting? Click here to fill out an application!

Written by Zach Hudson, 2025