When I had Blue and Sissy, I couldn't bring in other cats at all. I adopted two very old male brother who were in renal failure and just needed a home for their last years. Sissy protested to the point of urinating on my kitchen counter (after 12 years of never going anywhere but in the litter box!). She absolutely refused to go downstairs where the other cats were and she spent that entire year a whole floor away from the other two cats letting them and everyone else know that their presence was not welcome. In that year, she never warmed to either of them. At all.Originally Posted by Washu
I think 4 cats is almost too many for our family. I also have 3 dogs. We can afford it no problem, feed quality food, vet care. I clean litter boxes, and keep our house clean.
When we adopted Zelda, her and Vivi totally clashed. I think Zelda has been here for 2 years and we have just enough space that they don't get in each other's way very often. I think Vivi is just very territorial and wants to be the boss cat, but Zelda isn't a submissive enough for her. Adding another cat would probably have a negative affect on their quality of life.
So, besides the cost and work involved, I think the quality of life of other people and pets in the house is a factor.
When she died, Blue was lost without her and even at the age of 14, he willingly accepts me bringing in other cats. He is more growly and less tolerant that Rex and Chloe of Juno's playfulness, but Juno understands the growl and leaves him alone. When she is calm, he will lay down with her and even groom her.
I explained all of this just to agree with the above post that quality of life for the animals also plays a role in how many is too many. For Sissy, anyone other than Blue was too many. For Blue, I am not sure how many would be too many. He is a very loving and accepting cat. For my husband...4 inside is REALLY pushing it!