What's better than one new puppy or kitten? Two! If you're headed to the shelter to adopt a new family member, you might encounter dog siblings or cat siblings housed in a kennel together. The staff may offer the option to adopt two together. But should they be adopted as a team, or is it better to separate littermates? Let's take a closer look at this common pet adoption question.
Should I Adopt Littermates?
If you're in the market for multiple furry family members, you might wonder whether it's a good idea to select two pets from the same litter. Applied Animal Behaviorist Patricia McConnell, PhD explains that many potential pet parents don't want their new pet to be lonely, so they will often get two pets from the same litter. After all, they've socialized with one another from the start and likely already get along.
However, Dr. McConnnell says that littermates are often so engrossed in what their sibling is doing that it's harder to get them to focus on you — ultimately, making them more difficult to train. Sometimes as the pets grow and mature, they begin to bully one another to vie for human attention. And sibling bonding is a different connection than a long-term bonded pair of pets who have lived together for years. Those pairs absolutely need to stay together to avoid bouts of anxiety or depression.
Already have littermates in your home? One-on-one training sessions, making the siblings sleep in different areas and playing with each pet individually can help to reduce sibling rivalry. Also consider hiring a pet trainer or behaviorist to help provide guidance and training for this unique situation
Tasty Tips
When to Adopt Individual Pets
During a pet adoption, you become the new best friend of that cat or dog. The pet will adjust and handle the separation from their siblings just fine over time. Therefore, if you're hoping to claim your new cat or dog's full attention, adopting littermates may not be right for you. Sure, the animals may feel a little sad leaving their brothers and sisters, but those feelings will quickly dissipate as the pet falls in love with their new pet parents and their existing pet family members.
Consider adopting individual pets. If you really want two, choose pets that aren't from the same litter. Work slowly to introduce the new pets to be sure they're compatible before taking them home, and if the two seem to hit it off, go forward with the adoption. You and the new pets will work through the adjustment period together and form a bond as a family.
As you begin looking around for your new cat or dog, be ready to encounter a potential double adoption. Rescues and shelters often receive litters of puppies and kittens and may offer dog siblings or cat siblings to you, especially if you're in the market to add more than one pet to your clan. If you really have your heart set on adopting littermates, great! Just make sure you treat them as individuals and give them their own special attention and training to help them grow up to be well-behaved social creatures. If you decide to stick with just one pet for now, that's okay, too. You always have the option of adopting a brother or sister for them in the future.
Related products
Adult Large Breed Chicken & Barley Recipe Dog Food
Supports healthy joints, immune system, digestion, lean muscle & beautiful coat
Adult 11+ Small & Mini Chicken, Brown Rice & Barley Recipe Dog Food
We make every bag of our dry dog food in our own US facilities with highest quality ingredients from North America, Europe and New Zealand. These ingredients must meet our strict requirements for purity and nutrient content, which exceed industry standards.
You can make a difference in the lives of shelter pets. With every purchase of Science Diet you help feed shelter pets globally - every day. In AUSTRALIA, since 1997, we have provided over 1.6M kg of Hill's pet food to LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTERS. Learn more at http://hillspet.com.au/shelters
Adult Chicken & Barley Recipe Dog Food
Supports healthy immune system, digestion, lean muscle & beautiful coat
Adult 7+ Small & Mini Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dog Food
Supports energy level & luxurious coat in Small & Mini dogs. Helps keep immune system, heart & kidneys healthy.
Related articles
What Nutrients Can Help a Pet’s Immune System?
Learn why nutrients like antioxidants & amino acids can help improve your pet's immune system, as well as top antioxidants to look for in pet food.
Pet Food Storage Tips
Discover how and where to store your dry, as well as canned, dog and cat food. Learn how to find the "best before" dates on all Hill's pet food packaging.
Compare Your Pet Food's Calories to Other Brands
Compare Hill's Science Diet dog and cat food's calories against other pet food brands and AAFCO recommended maximum calorie count.
The Incredible Science Behind Your Pet's Microbiome
Learn what a pet's microbiome is, how it contributes to your pet's gut & overall health, and why nutrition is important in maintaining healthy microbiomes.
Put your pet on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your pet's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Put your pet on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your pet's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.