But there is one burning question that must be answered when searching for a new pet:-

'Are two cats better than one?'

Single pet ownership certainly has its benefits. Your new cat or kitten will lap up all the attention available and will benefit from being the centre of attraction. Your family will love the pleasure of playing with it on a one-to-one basis.

Also, the expense of owning a single, new pet will be kept to a minimum. The cost of food, bedding, cat litter, toys and vet's bills will be more easily absorbed into the family budget than would otherwise be the case and as there will be no need for your pet to share, the opportunity for inter-cat conflict simply won't arise.

But will your cat be happy on its own? Wouldn't the companionship of another cat be if greater benefit to your cat's emotional well-being?

A few of the benefits of owning two cats are:

Companionship, if you are out of the house for long periods at a time.

Sociability. In the wild, feral cats naturally live in large groups which have a social structure.

Giving a home to litter-mates is the easiest route to take.

More pleasure for you!

Naturally, you must consider the other side of the coin. The possible disadvantages of owning more than one cat are:

Increased costs in the form of food, medical bills, boarding fees.

Not all cats live comfortably with a companion. Some prefer not to share your affection!

A multi-cat household is likely to be at greater risk of behavioral problems.

Your pets may be more content to spend time with each other than with you.

Once you have considered whether you wish to choose one or two new pets, do make sure that you see several different cats or kittens. You will find that you quickly get a good idea of which individual animals suit you best and you will be able to choose the right one - or two - for you.

Armed with this knowledge, you will be better equipped to select a single cat whose personality will suit your family or two cats that are likely to live in harmony together.

Whatever you choice - enjoy the love and affection of your new family members!