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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

How many cats is too many for a normal household?

185 replies

Rainyrunway · 10/05/2023 09:17

Could have put this in the cats topic but wanted to get the views of less "catty" people.
We were devastated that our cat died over the weekend after getting hit by a car. And our other cat seems distressed, keeps raoming around the house yowling. I can only assume she's calling him. She also is much clingier than normal which probably means she's lonely I guess.
So we'd like to get a kitten at the end of the summer to keep her company and to fill the hole that our other cat has sadly left.
The problem is that while our resident cat would probably love the company, I think a kitten constantly jumping on her to play might be a bit annoying for her (she's 3 and a half) So we were thinking of maybe getting 2 so they could run around and jump on each other but resident cat will still have company while we're at work etc.
Is 3 weird? Will our house be gross? We could obviously just adopt an adult cat instead otherwise but I worry that resident cat will not accept an adult in the way she would a kitten (or 2!) Thoughts please. Thank you

OP posts:
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HamSandwichKiller · 10/05/2023 10:03

We have 3 and it's a lot. Am mostly thinking about litter trays here - even though ours do go outside they prefer to go to the loo inside annoyingly. It's also expensive as cat food costs have risen massively.

Having said that it's really fun having a cat pack.

Deathbyfluffy · 10/05/2023 10:04

SunnySaturdayMorning · 10/05/2023 09:48

One unless you have an indoor cat or bother to catproof your garden as they’re a nuisance to everyone around you.

Our neighbourhood has many outdoor cats, and they’re no bother at all.
No poo in the garden, not the trail of dead wildlife everyone seems to think follows cats and they’ll happily come and visit us for pats and rubs in the summer.

Pretending they’re the devils work is just sad to be honest

AppleandSpice · 10/05/2023 10:04

Depends on your circumstances and finances. We’ve always had anywhere up to 5 but no less than two. We’ve never had a lone cat for long. At the moment we have 3 after we lost the two oldies. I wouldn’t want anymore now though! I’m getting a bit catted out, love them to bits but 3 is definitely enough now they’re are getting older!

SmokyForTheWin · 10/05/2023 10:05

I think 3 is normal, 4 or more starts getting weird, unless you live on a farm.

AppleandSpice · 10/05/2023 10:06

BIWI · 10/05/2023 10:01

This is a trick question, isn't it? A bit like "what do you do with leftover wine?"

😂🤣😂

DoeRayMe · 10/05/2023 10:06

I have 6 but don't intend to get anymore as they naturally pass

Juiceboxxy · 10/05/2023 10:08

I don't understand the question. Too many?

There's not such a thing as too many...too few yes....

Namechangedforthis60 · 10/05/2023 10:09

I have 5 - 3 that we intended to have and 2 who decided they live here now after their owners moved away and didn’t take them! They all get on bar one who hates everyone and everything except dp!
3 definitely wouldn’t be too many!

frazzledasarock · 10/05/2023 10:09

We’ve got five. Because our old boy passed away in December.

One of my dc is starting get school in September so both DH and I anticipate the number of elderly/unwanted cats to increase in our household. Not a single person in our house can turn away an animal needing a home. It’s how we ended up with five cats in the first place.

CabernetSauvignon · 10/05/2023 10:10

If you have two, doesn't that just mean two kittens jumping on older cat to play?

frazzledasarock · 10/05/2023 10:10

Vet school

Shannith · 10/05/2023 10:10

I've got 2 rescues - one older and one younger. Got the kitten first and the older one when the kitten was abut 1. 4 and 11 now. They rock along. They like this time of year best as they attempt to hunt together. Fail if I spot them.

The old one is a failed foster and I stopped at her or is easily have ended up with 10. With 3 you are adding on more cost in terms of insurance/food/flea/worm and vet bills so bear that in mind.

My 4 year old would love a kitten to play with. The old one is grumpy and semi feral and would move out. You know your cat but most less miserable cats like kittens in my experience.

QueenoftheNimbleFlyingCat · 10/05/2023 10:12

My god, all the 0 unless you keep them inside comments are tedious. Cats are legally entitled to roam.

OP I have 2 and a massive cat lover - I am probably at my limit as the expense has gone up and with 2 children as well my house is full. I don't think there is an acceptable limit just what you can handle.

Sorry about Dcat Flowers

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 10/05/2023 10:12

Just the one kitten,the older cat will keep it in check, any more and he might feel pissed off / threatened. This way the older will teach the younger one to behave.

Trixiefirecracker · 10/05/2023 10:15

We got two kittens when are elderly cat was 16 and honestly it gave him a new lease of life. He was playing again and when he wanted his space he would bat them away ( like a mother cat would do). He also went out and they were not allowed out at that stage so that gave him lots of time to himself. Do it!

Sheepsheepeverywhere · 10/05/2023 10:19

Couple of months down the line...

How many cats is too many for a normal household?
How many cats is too many for a normal household?
ChristmasRoses · 10/05/2023 10:19

We have 4, used to have 6. It's fine. I strongly recommend getting two kittens not one. Either siblings or a bonded pair. They take out all their high jinks on each other and won't pester your older cat, nor will they play with you - resulting in biting and scratching. Many rescues won't release single kittens for this reason

Improbablecat · 10/05/2023 10:23

I would have all the cats (and other pets) but I am delighted for my house to be confused with a zoo...

We currently have 2 cats and when our older cat dies I think we'll get a pair of kittens - they teach each other behaviour like not clawing too hard! We got our younger cat when cat 1's litter mate died very young (age 2) and we wanted company for her but in retrospect I think getting another kitten pair would have been better.

Oopsiedaisyy · 10/05/2023 10:25

I have two rescue cats (and please do use a rescue to find kittens or a cat), would consider another but my boy cat is an arse to other cats

LoonyLois · 10/05/2023 10:33

Would you judge someone for having three cats? If no it’s fine go for it!!!

I’ve got three dogs and the comments I got when I got the third were ridiculous. Anyone would think I’d gone and bought a lion!

Fireandflames666 · 10/05/2023 10:35

I have three, one older lad and two that I got together as kittens for the same reasons you want two. The younger two do play with him but mostly play with each other so not to annoy him, lol. Worked for us.

Giselletheunicorn · 10/05/2023 10:36

If a kitten is too much. Get an adult rescue cat....

BumpyaDaisyevna · 10/05/2023 10:36

As a non-catty household, I would say 2 cats per household. Any more than that and you are straying into being a "Cat House".

Aslanplustwo · 10/05/2023 10:39

I live in a flat with three cats - used to have five! They aren't kept inside, they come and go as they please. None of them like each other though Grin

recyclemeagain · 10/05/2023 10:41

BumpyaDaisyevna · 10/05/2023 10:36

As a non-catty household, I would say 2 cats per household. Any more than that and you are straying into being a "Cat House".

I don't think cat house means what you think it means...

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