How many cats are too many?

Thanks for all the comments guys. Very much appreciated.

I'm still undecided, might be a good idea to stay with the 4 we have at the moment I think. But who knows! If the right kitty comes along...

Originally Posted by Auntie Crazy

Also, the point previously made about your current cats is very valid. Do you have confident, outgoing cats - they might accept a new cat with little upset, but you might consider a similar personality for the new one so he/she is not overwhelmed by your current cats. Are any of your current kitties a little on the shy side? If so, you don't want the new one to have too strong a personality 'cause he/she might push your shy guy further down on the hierarchy.

Also, when bringing a new cat in, you'll want to increase the number of litter boxes, as well as the vertical space available to them - cat trees do the trick quite nicely.

Good luck!

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My cats are very confident yep, and outgoing. The 2 boys accepted our latest kitten addition with open arms, but our female cat didnt. Infact she hates all of the cats in our house lol. But shes not a worry, as I've said, because she is always outside anyway.

None of the cats are shy, thankgod. Cant stand shy cats lol.

I have eight of my own and two fosters who will be leaving me at Easter. I have just lost two other fosters to FIP, a terrible tragedy which has made me think again about the number of cats that is desirable. A number of articles I have read on FIP say that it is much more prevalent in multi-cat households, and the chances go up considerably if you have over five. I am currently living in a state of fear as I monitor all the remaining cats for any signs of sickness.

With any number, including very different personalities and ages, it is important to be able to spend time interacting with each cat daily on a one to one basis. That may mean cuddling, playing, talking, just sitting on the same sofa but letting the cat know you are there. Each cat has its own needs. The more you have, the harder it is to find the time, as well as getting to know each one on a really individual basis. If you are working much of the day, this is even more difficult and I certainly could not have done it till I retired.

And then there is the interaction between the cats. Some may fight or bully others, and you need to be aware and have the space to provide out-time or isloate one or more if necessary. This also applies if one gets sick - do you have the space to nurse it away from the others.

Having said all that, I love all my cats, would not wish any of them not here, and enjoy all our family life together, with the ups and downs that are part of it. But I am not adding any more.

There is a radio show that I listen to on SIRIUS (Cat Chat with Tracie Hotchner). I remember her saying that 4 is really the most you can have without it being too much of an emotional issue for the cats. If you had 4 that shared the house and 1 that had the whole basement locked off or something, that would be ok because the 5th cat wouldn't have to interact with the other 4.

My own limit is really 2. We have 3, but we were not planning on having 3. The 3rd one just found his way to us (it was my SO's sister's cat who ended up at the shelter, where I volunteer. She wouldn't pick him up so we took him and have had him ever since). They are all pretty young (between 8 months and 2-ish years old). I'm really hesitant to tell people I have 3 cats. I don't feel weird saying I have 2, but for some reason I do with 3.

I think as long as you have the space and the means to properly take care of the cats than there is not a set number of too many!of course everyones too many will be different.

Different...based on the cats, $$$, space, and time...

Right now I have 3, 2 of which were unplanned. Before I found them and brought my number up to 3, I would have said "two cats is my limit"... But now, I don't know. I'd probably top off at 4 - 5.

Right now, for me, $$ and time are the biggest issues.

For $$...mainly vet bills are what you have to worry about.
I had MASSIVE unplanned vetbills with my first cat (rescued from the shelter..has an enlarged heart and seizures and now allergies that I was unaware of when I adopted him). Just his vet bills alone were tough. I can't imagine what it would be like if all 3 came down with something at once. Because of this one issue, I am planning on waiting until that cat dies before I purchase / adopt a new one...at that time, I might go with one or two (bringing me up to 4).

For time...
If any of your current cats is an attention hog, then you'll have to consider (if the new one is too) if you can give both the attention they need. Right now, my three are well balanced. One spends time with me when I'm on the computer, one when I'm on couches or chairs, (and follows me around), and one will sleep with me. If I were to adopt a cat at this point that wanted to be with me ALL the time, this might cut into what the others need / want. Also, time to scoop the box and feed has to be considered.... IF the new cat has a food allergy and has to be fed seperately, that will take even more time, etc.

Space...
Not just space for the cat...but what about space for the additional litter box?! This is a big one for me. Right now I have 4 boxes....1 on the back porch, 2 in the water heater / cat room, and 1 in the back bedroom closet. Up until recently, I got by with the two in the water heater room, but I suspected box guarding and had to add the others. If I was to adopt another cat...that would mean finding yet another place for a box. The space isn't that bad now, but if/when I have to move to a smaller house or apt. it could be real trouble.

In the end, I think it's whatever you are comfortable with. For me, 4 I think is a good number (although 3 is better) but I could see myself with up to 5.

I already get weird looks when I tell people that I have three cats... Maybe this is hurting my chances at dating lol. who knows.

Art

aside from the obvious care/money issues...

3 would be my limit. a girl at my work has 4 and people make fun of her. stupid people! as long as you can take care of them and love them (not hoardiing them) go for it!

well, the size of your home would limit the number too IMO

I have five ... six is my limit if I have a dog 8 without a dog ... All my cats get one on one attention EVERY day with me and lots of play time

How many cats is too many is ALL strictly based on the individual and the situation. There is no set number "5 is all anyone can care for".

When you do rescue work, most of the time you end up with a lot more than most people. I have 23 cats. We can afford vet care for them all.They are all altered. They are fed a high quality food. They are loved, and cared for. They are groomed, and clean. Free of parasites. And generally happy. We have room for them all. They are spoiled! More spoiled then friend's of mine who have 1-2 cats.

Originally Posted by Sakura

There is a radio show that I listen to on SIRIUS (Cat Chat with Tracie Hotchner). I remember her saying that 4 is really the most you can have without it being too much of an emotional issue for the cats.

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Phew!!! Ain't I lucky....

I notice that I keep on scanning for information like this... Why? Because I have 3 cats and I have excruciating fever for one more - and struggle with the same issues of whether I should take on anymore or not....

I am not worried at all what other people think based on the number of cats I have - I am sure they think I am weird already. I know I can provide for another kitty or a few care-wise and time-wise but what about when I am not there? And what about the other kitties? Those are my main worries. Am I selfishly risking the well-being my existing cats?

And what if something happens to me - what will happen to my cats? I already feel more awkward about pet sitter arrangements as the group grows bigger but what if something really bad happened? I sometimes worry about my kitties being so dependent on me (I work from home and they really are quite the momma's boys). The more cats I have gotten the harder it has been to arrange someone to promise to care of them if something happened to me.

... yet then I think that I am being way too morbid. Can't live thinking that way or no animal would get a home!! But it's a good way of stopping me from taking on 12 cats - because I think I could give personal attention to about 12!

I remember her saying that 4 is really the most you can have without it being too much of an emotional issue for the cats

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That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. My cats are very emotionally stable. That is a load of bs. There is NO set number for cats.

Originally Posted by Sakura

There is a radio show that I listen to on SIRIUS (Cat Chat with Tracie Hotchner). I remember her saying that 4 is really the most you can have without it being too much of an emotional issue for the cats.

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I have to disagree with this also. I work full time, also work a part time job and go to school and I have 15 cats right now, which, I will admit is a lot...ok, it's an obnoxious number but I love all my cats and all my cats love me, they have no emotional issues. They all have different times and places with me, we have a fairly nice routine, which means I sit on the couch and at least 5 pile on I'm lucky in that they all get along too.

I think however many cats you want is how many is "enough" for you!

For me personally, 4 cats was too much. Thankfully my Mom was in love with the 4th stray we found so she has a fabulous home and gets way more attention than she would have in our house. I just couldn't handle the litter situation or the cat fights. She was a little terror with some serious street cred. She's being bossy at my mom's house now!

But honestly, I've never thought anything about someone having 5 or even more cats. I had a co-worker who had 5 cats and he loved it.

So if you've got the room in your house and in your heart, go for it!

I think it's a VERY personal decision which will rely heavily on your lifestyle & your cat brood. I thought 3 was perfect, 4 was still tolerable & now I have 5. Not that I don't LOVE them ALL to bits, but 5 is a lot of work for me! The fifth found me & I'm in Ireland, which isn't cat friendly & not easy to re-home, so I kept him. I know I couldn't add another cat into my brood. The fifth wasn't welcome, but we're adjusting!

Originally Posted by Punkygirl0101

That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. My cats are very emotionally stable. That is a load of bs. There is NO set number for cats.

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Out of my 15 cats only one has issues

Hi,

another point to consider would be with what will happen to your cats if something happens to you.

My mums 62, and she's said that she'll only get more cats (after her present moggies have gone over the rainbow bridge, presently they are 15) if I'll promis her to adopt them if she can`t take care of them anymore. She wouldn't want more than two cats, also for this reason. She wouldn't want an older cat of hers go to strangers or to a shelter, which I can understand.

So I'm be prepared to adoped her cats to save them from the shelter and give her a rest of mind on this issue.

If she would have more than two cats I probably couldn't keep this promise.

Of course there's always the off chance that a stray somehow ends up permanently with her .. which would also be OK. But the limit of planned cats is set.

regards,

Christine