3 cats in 1 bdrm apt

caroline

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3 cats in a 1 bedroom apartment - is this too much?


I am fostering a mom and her 4 kittens. The original plan was to only keep two kittens, but the mom has wormed her way into my heart and I wish I could keep her as well. I thought about 1 kitten + mom, but I really want to kittens so they can burn their energy off toghether, since mom won't play with them.

My apartment isn't tiny, but it's small. What do you guys think of this? I'm the only human here. I work all summer and go to school (uni) the rest of the year.

I feel like since I'm already cleaning 3 litter boxes and feeding 5 mouths that I kinda have a feel for what 3 will be like. I don't feel overcrowded even with 5 of them now.

Will people think I'm a crazy cat lady? AM I a crazy cat lady?

 

sea witch

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Naw, not a crazy cat lady, just a big hearted cat lover! As long as you're okay with it now, it shouldn't pose a problem in the future....
 

arlyn

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Nah, not too much at all.
I have 6 in a tiny 2 bedroom condo, as long as you maximize their space with cat trees etc.
 

bab-ush-niik

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I don't know. Kittens get crazy when they get older. I know someone who was fostering 4 kittens in a small one bedroom. She kept only one, thinking that after 4 babies, one can't be so bad. She didn't realize that young cats are crazy. Now she's trying to find a new home for her one because it's driving her nuts in such a small space. (I'd take it, but I already have one young cat, a turtle, and 2 people in my place).

I think three would be too much. A mother and kittens is one thing, but three adult cats? And momma might start getting active too, once she's not burdended by kittens.

I think either just keep momma cat (a younger cat might driver her nuts), or keep two kittens (that way they can keep each other occupied).
 

maverick_kitten

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If you build upwards by adding shelves, cat trees, perches etc it shouldnt be too much of a problem. As long as you can afford vet care for all three and have the time to give them love and clean litterboxes etc..

However small your apartment is, it will be bigger than a cage at a shelter


You might have to be a little more creative with space and provide lots of stimuli but I've heard of it working before.

The mama cat will be more difficult to re-home as it's kitten season so I wouldnt suggest keeping her too
 

maverick_kitten

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Originally Posted by bab-ush-niik

I don't know. Kittens get crazy when they get older. I know someone who was fostering 4 kittens in a small one bedroom. She kept only one, thinking that after 4 babies, one can't be so bad. She didn't realize that young cats are crazy. Now she's trying to find a new home for her one because it's driving her nuts in such a small space. (I'd take it, but I already have one young cat, a turtle, and 2 people in my place).
I agree that kittens and young cats can be crazy!

Maverick was so terrible that she lived almost soley in my very small bedroom for the first few months of her life. She had the added charm of being partly feral, skittish, mean, yet very playful!

But she was fine in my bedroom (I am not kidding you how small this room is!) despite its small size.

As long as you feel you can cope and provide them a home for life then I'd say take all three!
 

urbantigers

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I have 2 in a fairly small 1 bed apartment so if yours is a bit bigger than mine I guess it would be ok. Just make sure there is enough space for them to get away from each other if they want and buy lots of cat trees!
 
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caroline

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I am still stuck deciding

Whenever I think of keeping mom + 1 kitten, or 2 kittens, it feels like someone is left out and my household isn't complete.

but then i worry about what 3 cats will actually be like! it's nice to imagine, but who knows?
sigh. so confused
 

lionessrampant

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I have 3 cats in a not-even-a-one-bedroom convertible apartment, and they're fine. I do have one almost-senior, though, so he is less active and therefore needs less running around space.
 

ckatz

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I had three in my one bdroom apt-600sq. ft. They were fine-lots of litter to clean. My two older ones died last year (long sad story) so I was left with Viola. I got my Natasha in October but I feel like my cat family is still incomplete.

But that may be changing very shortly. Go with your heart-sounds like they've already chosen you.

Cynthia
 

starryeyedtiger

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Three cats should be fine in a one bedroom apartment. I have 4 cats a dog and a rabbit in my 2bedroom duplex and all of them thrive and are spoiled rotten. Yours should do well too.
 

kiki_585

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I have to agree with everyone. If you can provide them the exercise and loving that they need then go ahead with it. My only worry is the funding for them. Can you afford to feed 3 cats? Can you afford the vet bill of 3 cats?

If you think you can do all of that, then sure keep all 3!
 

momof3rugratz

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I say follow your heart. I lived in a 800 sq ft house 3 cats 3 kids 2 dogs hubby me and the bird and a huge salt water tank
We where happy. I say take all 3 just make sure there is tons of toys also they have each other instead of the blinds to play with...
 

juniper

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We live in a fairly large one bedroom, but a one bedroom nonetheless, and we have six. It's honestly not as bad as it sounds - people always give me weird looks, until they come over and actually see what it's like, and then I get comments on how happy and peaceful my cats are. We're happy, the cats are happy - it works for us. I say go for it.
 

trouts mom

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I guess as long as you like to clean, and don't mind having a bunch of litterboxes around in such a small space. I wouldn't because my apartment is not that big, so it would be too many for me...but thats just me.
 

rang_27

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Well considering I have 4 in a small 1 bedroom, I don't think 3 is too many. I scoop twice a day & vacuum 3 times a week, but it doesn't feel like work to me because I would do anything for my babies.
 

zak&rocky

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I had two in a pretty small two bedroom apt and we were fine. Another neighbor had three in one I think. I now have 4 in an average size home with 3 bedrooms. I'm sure I could add 2 more but I don't want to because of litter box duty!!
 

mzjazz2u

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I live in a 1 bedroom condo and have three cats. No problems here. I'm actually very happy to have more then one because I am the only human and they seem to keep each other company while I'm at work etc.
 

touro1979

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Originally Posted by caroline

3 cats in a 1 bedroom apartment - is this too much?


I am fostering a mom and her 4 kittens. The original plan was to only keep two kittens, but the mom has wormed her way into my heart and I wish I could keep her as well. I thought about 1 kitten + mom, but I really want to kittens so they can burn their energy off toghether, since mom won't play with them.

My apartment isn't tiny, but it's small. What do you guys think of this? I'm the only human here. I work all summer and go to school (uni) the rest of the year.

I feel like since I'm already cleaning 3 litter boxes and feeding 5 mouths that I kinda have a feel for what 3 will be like. I don't feel overcrowded even with 5 of them now.

Will people think I'm a crazy cat lady? AM I a crazy cat lady?

I think 3 is fine as long as you are careful who comes in, either a kitten or a cat you know is good around other cats. I have two that live in my bedroom (about 200 square feet) Verticle space is very important in small spaces so you shoulld probably be willing to invest in some cat trees. I personally have 4 cat trees and two loft beds so the cats have lots of places to climb becasue their floor space is limited. Everyone is happy and I am even thinking of taking in a kitten in the next couple of months. Another key thing is the litterboxes, make sure you have 3 boxes if you have 3 cats. I have 3 boxes for the cats even though I have only 2 cats.
 
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