How many cats is too many?!

[Catladyhere]

I have had cats for years. I had two lovely black and white cats first who are sadly no longer with us (siblings) who were attached at the hip - due to their long hair though, there was fur everywhere! A couple of years later and I now have a young ragdoll cross and a British short hair, who we introduced as kittens, they get on very well, though our BSH is way more reserved and doesn’t like to be picked up too much like many others of the same breed.

We are looking at getting another cat but I am wondering when it becomes too many… currently we don’t have a problem with things like fur because they’re both short haired and we groom them so they don’t really shed. But I am in too minds as to whether three will be really different to two and I’ve never had more than two at one time!

if you have three cats please tell me your experiences, would also love some general opinions on the negatives and positives of having three cats in the same house hold!

Thank you 🥰

We have three which is our limit, really, as the youngest has health issues that means he needs prescription food which isn't cheap.

I had six at one time arriving at different times. I lost my eldest girls (sisters) then my ragdoll boy. Down to three....house felt so empty. I've now added a persian, three ragdolls and a persian chinchilla
......my house is a madhouse but I keep on top of the grooming etc and the rudest three seem happy there's new additions to play with. So 8 cats at present

Four at present

probably about 10 🤣

We have three. Three litter boxes is a lot.

I've got three at the moment. I have had 6, and in retrospect it was rather difficult to keep an eye on them all, remembering whether they've all been in since lunch, or checking for minor injuries etc. Three is fine.

The simple answer is that too many = 2 more than you currently have :)
Works for any number under about 10.....

Haven't RTFT but imo no such thing as too many :-)

I have three and a dog (the last cat wasn't supposed to stay but no one wanted him). I feel we are at max animal capacity. Some days it does seem like everywhere you look, or try to sit or walk there is an animal and it can get a bit much.

Most the time growing up we had 3. Have mostly had 3 in last .... 11 years? Suits us. No regrets.

We've had up to 6, which was a bit of a nightmare with two who didn't get on well but, carefully introduced, there's no reason why adding a 3rd or 4th cat to current cats can't work well for all of them.

Not sure about the phrase "too many cats", though - surely that's just not possible? :)

Have had 3 for the last 10 years. Currently contemplating adding a fourth. Need to be the right personalities to work though.

I have 6 down from 10 through old age. They have mostly come into the household as kittens/young cats and integrated fine. I wouldn't try to bring a more than year old cat into my home though as I currently have one prima Donna cat so I know she would cause issues

I have 4 for the first time ever,usually 1 most of my life,3 are short hair so haven't noticed much difference cleaning wise as the oldest is the long hair and random spewer, obviously more expense,logistics wise he tolerates the 3 girls,will sometimes give them a swipe in passing but he's pretty much been an old cumudgeon since birth.
Sleeps on my bed so forever changing it and pulling clumps of hair of,the only grooming he'll tolerate is a couple of swipes with the jml glove.

I'm desperate for a third but it's just not practical yet. Older cat is a moody mare and outdoor a lot, young cat was one of a rescue pair and is still a little runt. We lost her sister to an unknown illness at the start of covid. Little one stays in because big one would never allow her back in the house if she went out. They have an uneasy detente with occasional pushy pushy spats. Big one guards upstairs and littlest is too timid to try her luck. Neither are hugely affectionate and I really miss my boy who was a furry limpet. I'm always browsing boy kitts but I just don't see the ladies accepting a third. 🤷🏻‍♀️ if yours will, I'd jump at it!

Ours are 5yo siblings (got them as 1yo )
They have a micro chip cat door but always thunder into the house to use their (huge) trays .

So two for me (though I do find myself looking at CPL sites and think hmmm I wonder )

Out MaleCat goes to pieces if we have anyone in the house so he wouldn't cope with change , he is fine if his Status Quo is maintained .
The FemaleCat I think would eat a new cat !

I have 4 cats 17,11,9 and 8. The 17 year old cat we choose the others choose us . Luckily they all get on and they all sleep at the same time during the night . Would I have another , maybe if one was dropped over the garden wall lol , when they are gone I swore I would have no more but my heart is saying yes of course I would . They all eat whiskers dry and wet pouches so that keeps the cost down a little . Just been away for 5 nights and came home to lots of cuddles and kisses ,have one sat on my lap and one on the husbands lap.

We have 4. We seem to average 4 and it works for us. Two middle aged ones and two lockdown kittens, now just turned 3. I do wonder how clean my house would be without them buy I have always had cats and couldn't bear it.

I have three...jump from 2 to 3 is massive in terms of work/cost/cleaning. A mother & kitten older pair, then introduced a feisty kitten in lockdown. They get on brilliantly, and I love them dearly but bloody hell three is alot 😆

We have three aged 6 months, all girls from the same litter.

They are wonderful.

Each it’s own personality but so easy to care for and they give a lot of love.

The fur is pretty annoying but we keep them in one room and it’s not that hard to vacuum each day. Going to let them out much more from now on too.

We’re on holiday at the moment and lots of friendly dogs that thekids were going crazy for (our dog died recently) but I surprised myself by realising that I’d rather have another three cats than get a dog.

Eleven here, no issues looking after them, but food/litter/vets isn't cheap. You really don't notice there's so many as they all have their own special bonds and will snuggle together taking up less space!
Four to six is my perfect number, although a few of mine are elderly now, so the figure will probably change anyway.
I do agree that neighbours need to be considered and all cats should have a litter tray indoors. Only three of mine go out, but come in to 'go'.

HeckyCat's view is that the perfect amount of cats is 1. He is for sharing the attention.

He does grudgingly put up with his dog siblings because they make nice warm beds.

My vote is to get another one. (And then share piccies!)

Any, as I’m really allergic to most cats. Although I can spend around 6 hours with my dsis cat before I need the antihistamines

Because of the bird I woke up to this morning, flying round the house, I will say 1 cat is too many.

Unfortunately both of mine are good hunters but not good killers so I end up with birds flying round the house and mice hiding in my shoes all the bloody time 🤣😭

There’s no such thing as too many - as long as you can afford to feed, house, insure and treat the ones you have (sorry, the ones who have you 😄) then have as many as you wish.

Cats are bloody amazing. If I didn’t have a number of dogs who despise all cats on earth, I would probably have several myself!

More than 30 could be an issue. I had to buy one of the cat flaps that you program their microchip to as another cat was coming in my house and stealing my cats food. Instructions indicate that up to 30 cats can be programmed, anymore would then need the door opening to be let in.