Older / Oldest?

[tbentsen77]

I have two cats. The white one is the older / oldest.

I have two toothbrushes. The blue one is the older / oldest.


Which one would be the correct one to pick? Do we use 'older' when talking about two and only two animals/items, although they're not human beings who are not relatives (in which case we use 'elder')?

Hope you understand my question! ;-)

Thank you!
Thomas

 

[bhaisahab]

I have two cats. The white one is the older / oldest.

I have two toothbrushes. The blue one is the older / oldest.


Which one would be the correct one to pick? Do we use 'older' when talking about two and only two animals/items, although they're not human beings who are not relatives (in which case we use 'elder')?

Hope you understand my question! ;-)

Thank you!
Thomas

"I have two cats, the white one is the older of the two".

 

[Nightmare85]

***Neither a teacher nor a native speaker.***

I believe you can also say:
I have two cats. The white one is the older one.
I have two toothbrushes. The blue one is the older one.
I have two cats. The white one is older.
I have two toothbrushes. The blue one is older.

Cheers!