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Original poster

How many cats is too many ?

161 replies

Buttons232 · 05/10/2023 23:59

There hasn’t been a time in my life when I’ve been without a cat. I grew up on a farm and spent my childhood taming wild kittens. At the moment I have three, a surprisingly spritely, 13 year old male and two year old brothers. They all get on. They’re insured, well cared for and well looked after. I had no desire for anymore. I’ve always felt that three is the tipping point between acceptable pet ownership and crazy cat lady!

Then a week ago I found a filthy, starving, abandoned and dying kitten! I didn’t expect him to make it through the night but I’ve bottle fed him back to life. He is now in the process of being weened and doing really well. I suspect he’s about 5 weeks old. Trouble is I am now a mother figure to him, he follows me, cries for me and climbs up me to sleep in my hair!

I wouldn’t have chosen this many but I’m not sure I can give him up now. Should I keep him ? Is 4 too many ?

OP posts:

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griegwithhimandhim · 06/10/2023 09:05

You are the Chosen One.

These things happen for a reason, and 4 cats is fine. We have 4. The only time to start worrying is when the number of cats outnumbers the quantity of available sleeping places. 😂

randomrandom · 06/10/2023 09:06

Look, the cat distribution system has decided you need 4, so 4 it is.

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 06/10/2023 09:06

OP, I think you need to groom your lovely kitten. A damp cotton wool bud , working up to a damp face flannel. His mother would be grooming him constantly at that age, and it is good not just to keep them clean and mite free, but as a bond.

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Cats

SallyWD · 06/10/2023 09:09

I'd adopt him if I was you. Having said that, cat lovers always say "There's no such thing as too many cats" and I know of people who have about ten. But actually I don't think it's ideal to have lots of cats. It's something people do for themselves not for the cat's sakes. It's actually distressing for cats to live with a lot of other cats, particularly when new cats are always being introduced. I know my cat would be really unhappy if I got more.

Cowlover89 · 06/10/2023 09:11

Omg he's so cute 😍 you're going to have the best bond 💓

Worldgonecrazy · 06/10/2023 09:11

I don’t understand the question??

We are planning on 7 when we retire and don’t have to move between houses for work. At the moment we are limited to one but I’m always hopeful another will just turn up.

greyflannel · 06/10/2023 09:13

Shadyboots23 · 06/10/2023 00:32

He's yours
I figure once you have 3, anything over that you don't really notice

My friends husband thinks she has 3 horses, she doesn't. She has 9. He hasn't noticed as she keeps buying bay horses with no white markings

GodspeedJune · 06/10/2023 09:15

I believe the rule is one per windowsill.

Unfortunately I have breached this rule, with the cats exceeding the windowsills.

SawX · 06/10/2023 09:17

GodspeedJune you must build the cats a new house at once.

Tigertigertigertiger · 06/10/2023 09:19

WingedHermes · 06/10/2023 09:21

I've got eight. Seven entirely indoors (by choice) and one who goes in and out. I had 14 at one point. All rescues.

Graciebobcat · 06/10/2023 09:25

Two is enough for me at the moment, we also have a dog, plus the cats are getting on a bit and would not accept a newcomer. Wouldn't be fair on all concerned.

ImJustMadAboutSaffron · 06/10/2023 09:26

I have six cats. It's not enough cats!

Hayfeveroverseason · 06/10/2023 09:28

He is gorgeous op.
Lmao at pp comments on horse maths; at my home it's shotgun maths, various livestock maths and tractor maths.
We don't have cats in the house, but look after and take responsibility for the feral cats on the farm. There isn't really a limit if you are rescuing, as long as you can afford to feed them and can take care of them. Just be a bit mindful that they are all neutered and microchipped, which I am sure you are, and that you don't "over cat" your local wildlife.

ClairDeLaLune · 06/10/2023 09:32

We have 4 and it’s the perfect number. Everywhere we go in the house we often see a cat. I love the way they interact together and with us. They bring me so much joy. Actually, 6 would be nice…

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 06/10/2023 09:40

We have four. It's a good number but I sometimes look around and think 'bloody hell there are a lot of cats in this room 🐈🐈🐈🐈'
Four is an elegant sufficiency for us, even though NDN's cat would like to be number 5.

LukesDiner · 06/10/2023 09:41

You must be joking if you think that kitten is ever going anywhere. He is 100% yours for life. I had one, and he was lonely, so I got my cat a cat, who happened to have a twin sister. OG cat picks on one of the kittens so I keep saying that we need to get my cat's cat's cat a cat. I'm not winning the argument but if one just so happened to fall into my lap via the Universal Cat Distribution System...

Pushkinini · 06/10/2023 09:43

We had 8 growing up but we did live in largish house in a tiny rural village so the cats had plenty of space to roam and explore. 9 didn't feel like lots at the time. As an adult, I have one but only because I live in a town and my house is small.

OP, 4 sounds like the perfect for you!

cheezncrackers · 06/10/2023 09:51

Keep the kitten! I don't see much difference between 3 and 4 cats tbh, as long as they all get on.

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 06/10/2023 10:01

As long as you can afford it and their well cared for their isn’t a limit.

PumpkinsAndCoconuts · 06/10/2023 10:35

I think it really depends on your set-up.

Do you have enough space? Money? Do you have the time and recources (obviosuly financial and spatial but also in regards to how your living space is set up - as in cat safe balcony or back yard etc.) to satisfy an additional cat´s needs?

will that (most likely) still be the case in 10-15 years?

If yes: carry on, not too many.

If no: It will be easier to find him a good home before he´s fully grown (as you probably know).

that kitten is absolutely adorable, btw!! And well done for getting him through the night, thank you!!

can we have pictures of your other cats?😍

TeaMistress · 06/10/2023 10:39

I have 4. All are well looked after, loved, insured and thoroughly spoiled. They bring me and my mum such joy. Thank you for being a lovely caring person and looking after the little one...what are you going to name them.

Cockmigrant · 06/10/2023 10:52

Well there's no way in hell he's going anywhere is there?
He's absolutely gorgeous!

I don't think going from 3 to 4 is a big leap. If all the others get on it's not a problem. He'll probably integrate well.

There's no answer to "How many cats is too many?" because it all depends on the personalities of the cats, how much space you have, how much time you have for them and whether you can afford to feed them and pay for the necessary vet care.

I have 3 at the moment and it works really well. When my previous cat died I wanted to get one for his sister as a friend but ended up taking 2.
If I'd taken a third cat when I had the previous one and his sister that would have been too much, due to his personality. But these three are a great team.

pointythings · 06/10/2023 10:53

I have 5 so no help to you. I planned for 2. Then there were two kittens needing a home. Then there was a manic ginger menace with two failed rehomes under his belt. So 5. Bastet decides.

MaybeSerena · 06/10/2023 10:56

@NegativNancy your lovely girl looks like the brother of my rescue boy! I'm sure they aren't actually related but it's quite uncanny

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