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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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12
FiveShelties · 06/10/2023 10:59

Just gorgeous - the formula of n+1 sounds perfect.

mondaytosunday · 06/10/2023 11:03

Three ok. Four or more you are now a weird cat lady.

TabbyM · 06/10/2023 11:07

At whatever number they get stressed and start spraying - more if you live in a big house in the country not too near a shooting estate than a flat with neighbours!

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Cats
GingerRuby · 06/10/2023 11:10

@NegativNancy your girl is gorgeous! I hope you don't mind me asking, has the vet seen her eye spot? Not sure if it is an artefact on the photo or a spot on her eye? Am sure it is nothing but if not been seen, may be worth asking the vet about, as one of my cats had similar and it did need treated.
The feral kitten is adorable and absolutely now chosen her forever home!

Original poster
Buttons232 · 06/10/2023 11:21

Yes, this is what I thought 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
Buttons232 · 06/10/2023 11:36

These are my other 3.

How many cats is too many ?
How many cats is too many ?
How many cats is too many ?
OP posts:
Turtlegurl888 · 06/10/2023 11:38

I have two and that is enough. However if I found a kitten in the same way and he survived, I'd have three and that would be enough.

SawX · 06/10/2023 11:39

Okay I've changed my mind after seeing those photos... you need five. A void, a Tuxedo, and two gingers: you clearly need a Tortie girl to rule over them all and keep them in line.

Original poster
Buttons232 · 06/10/2023 11:42

Just don’t 😂

OP posts:
GorgeousLadyofWrestling · 06/10/2023 11:57

Love n+1. This is the way 🥰

Can see you’ve had lots of confirmation that four is totally acceptable but just wanted to agree with everyone else. We have four, in similar circumstances, and they’re all adored by the whole family.

Two were planned (though I told DH we were only getting one). They are treated like the queens they are.

Two years later, a woman on fb was trying to find a home for her black male kitten. No one wanted him (unbelievably!) so I said I would help her. We ended up with him and he is absolutely adored and probably everyone’s favourite.

Almost to the week, a year later, I came across a starving kitten in the street. I actually meant it when I told DH we wouldn’t keep her but that I would find her family. Same as you, I had her neutered and now she’s ours. Four is the perfect number of cats.

LoobyDop · 06/10/2023 13:13

You know that sweet little thing isn’t going anywhere… congratulations!

therealcookiemonster · 06/10/2023 15:38

if you are able to walk across your living room without moving cats out of the way, you have too few.

I reccommend you get another one to keep the new baby company

stayathomer · 06/10/2023 15:49

We had 4 (now sadly only have one), and I’ll be really honest it was too much, but it was more with us that two of them ganged up on another. It was tough knowing they’d all eaten or drank enough for example or if you were worming to make sure all were done or separate them so that another didn’t take the other’s medication. But if you’re willing to take on the responsibility it’s hard not to😉

MardyMcBlowdry · 06/10/2023 16:09

The cat distribution system has decided for you. The kitten is yours.

Isthisasgoodasitis · 08/10/2023 12:37

I have 20 I’ve acquired this way you are officially fine with 4

TheBerry · 08/10/2023 12:46

I wouldn’t want any cats, because they shit everywhere and kill birds, but for people who like cats I guess I’d think four was ok / the limit.

If I met someone who said they had three or four cats, I’d think that’s quite a lot, they must love cats, but I wouldn’t be like weeeeeeiiiird.

If somebody said they had five cats I’d probably be considering the possibility they were a bit mad.

Shadyboots23 · 08/10/2023 13:01

TheBerry · 08/10/2023 12:46

I wouldn’t want any cats, because they shit everywhere and kill birds, but for people who like cats I guess I’d think four was ok / the limit.

If I met someone who said they had three or four cats, I’d think that’s quite a lot, they must love cats, but I wouldn’t be like weeeeeeiiiird.

If somebody said they had five cats I’d probably be considering the possibility they were a bit mad.

Depends on the cat
I've had 2, neither have killed anything and both refused to even wee outside and come back to use their tray
Cat 1 brought me a leaf once. Cat 2 brought me (very gently) a butterfly stuck to his fur and yelled at me until I put it outside

Welshy85 · 08/10/2023 13:02

I agree with many others, he's chosen you, you chose him. No going back. I love cats and currently have 3, a 19 month old boy who is hardly home cos well he's a male. And 2 lovely kittens with 2 weeks between them, roughly 4 months old though. Girl tabby(my 1st both) who I got as my daughters friend had a litter so I was trapped 😂 and then a lovely black and white boy who someone was giving away and I just couldn't resist. They're constantly running around doing parkour and playing together. Tab is currently sat in my lap as I write this.
I always think at what point am I crazy cat lady but I also have a German shepherd so I like to think it evens out ha.
I don't think there is a limit.
But also think you know in your heart he's not going anywhere now.

TheBerry · 08/10/2023 13:02

Shadyboots23 · 08/10/2023 13:01

Depends on the cat
I've had 2, neither have killed anything and both refused to even wee outside and come back to use their tray
Cat 1 brought me a leaf once. Cat 2 brought me (very gently) a butterfly stuck to his fur and yelled at me until I put it outside

Show quote history

That is very sweet.

I have met some lovely, gentle cats tbf.

However, for every nice cat I’ve met I’ve met about 50 horrible sadistic little monsters.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 08/10/2023 13:03

The Law of Cat dictates the sacred formula of MCQ = n+1.

Maximum Cat Quantity is always one more than the current number of cats.

CallieG · 08/10/2023 13:06

You can’t abandon that kitten, 4 cats is ok.

my mother was a crazy cat lady, there were 7 or so when I was a kid, 15 when I was in high school & thank the heavens I was gone by the time she had amassed 40 of them.
she treated her cats better than her kids, our house always smelled of cat pee, the cats were dirty, sickly & diseased. It was disgusting.
you are far from Crazy cat lady territory, that little kitty was meant to be yours.

Couldntthinkofausername24 · 08/10/2023 13:07

You sound just like my close friend. She fosters cats and would have the entire cattery if she could! Never too many if it's what you love and you clearly take good care of them

Soubriquet · 08/10/2023 13:40

I know someone who has 12. She was adamant she wasn’t going to hit double figures…and then she did Grin

Duechristmas · 08/10/2023 15:38

Whilst four is a lot, you are the chosen one. The car distribution system has spoken, you cannot go against the cat distribution system.
I have three, I'm waiting for the next child to move out before I get a fourth 🤣

BIossomtoes · 08/10/2023 15:41

Keep him, you’re his mum now. We had four at one stage. Ours had three kittens and we couldn’t bear to part with any of them.

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