How many cats is too many for a normal household?

[Rainyrunway]

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

I have 3 aged 11,5 and 1

I also have 3 kids. So I'm crazy anyway 🤣

Hmmm by the ratio of 1 cat to one human.... I need another one!

Three is still normal. I have never owned a cat and most likely never will as I'm allergic to everything airborne and so is DC. But even I think three is fine.

So my mum has 3, started with 2 that were sisters and we lost one. Then ended up with another 2. The original loved her sister but hates the other 2 and has moved out to my grans house who lives across the road. She pops in to be fed now and then but she ends up in a fight with the others, and she won’t let any of the others in my grans house.

Why would you think the house would be gross with more cats?

we had 3 cats at one point no issues

Hehehe on the Lick-e-lix! My cat's "chicken toothpaste". What the hell do they put in it? She's a crazed addict and will stand on my chest and yell in my face until I give it to her.

This 👆 😂

I think 3 is too many. They often go through phases of not getting on, imo. Two is fine.

3 is not old, your cat will be fine with a kitten. You will be surprised at how they will play together (unless the older one is naturally v lazy)
We have three from the same rescue litter, about 7 months old. It’s too many I think especially if they are indoor only. It’s also a big financial commitment in vets, food etc. it’s costing me approx £200 a month to feed them, neutering etc was expensive all at once. We had our eyes wide open when we agreed to take all three but 1-2 is optimum I think.

I have 6 cats. They all get along and love each others company. My house is tidy and clean, everyone says it’s like a show home so no your house won’t be gross :)