Adopting a kitten and cat together can be good for both of them.
Adopting a kitten and an adult cat at the same time can be a good choice for you and the cats. Two cats can keep each other company while you are away from home. Also, according to an ASPCA article by Dr. Jill Goldman and Dr. Pam Reid, a kitten and a young adult can keep each other busy playing together, while a kitten and an adult female may bond like mother and child. They add that an older cat with a high tolerance level may even help to calm a younger cat and teach it social skills.
Instructions
1. Contact an animal shelter, either by phone or through its website, and ask about available cats. Let a shelter worker know you are interested in adopting both an adult cat and a kitten.
2. Ask if the shelter has any mother cats with kittens. Shelters often pick up strays that turn out to be pregnant, so you might be able to adopt the mother cat and one (or more) of her kittens.
3. Ask to see any other adult cats who display maternal instincts or are well socialized. According to the ASPCA article, cats who have experience living with other cats are best suited to pairing with a younger cat.
4. Pick the kitten and cat you want, and complete an adoption application if required. Be prepared to provide information such as your name, your address and the name of your veterinarian. Submit the application and wait for it to be approved.
5. Kittens generally get along well with other cats.
Take the supplies you need with you to the shelter when picking up the kitten and cat. Bring at least one large cat carrier, but it is best to have a carrier for each of your new pets. Place a couple of cat treats and a toy or two in each carrier before putting the animals inside.
6. Sign any paperwork and pay any adoption fees.
7. Take the cat and kitten home and place them in a small room together to see how they interact. If you adopt a mother and her kitten, they are unlikely to have serious conflicts, and in general it is rare for an adult cat to become aggressive with a small kitten. However, they could get into some tussles. Only intervene if the two cats appear to actually be fighting. Let them take their own time to get used to one another, but encourage interaction by playing with both of them at the same time or praising them when they do things like play together or cuddle.
Tags: adopt mother, Adopting kitten, ASPCA article, both them, each other, keep each, keep each other