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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

How many cats is too many cats?

46 replies

Pinkandwhiteblossoms · 22/04/2017 22:16

We have 3.

My heart is melting at an old man on my Facebook page (he is at a rescue centre, it's not gumtree or anything like that.)

Is 4 too many ... ?

OP posts:
HemanOrSheRa · 22/04/2017 22:18

Don't be daft, of course not! Grin. Isn't there some calculation for the optimum number of cats? One per windowsill I think Grin.

Primaryteach87 · 22/04/2017 22:19

More than two. But I might be a spoilsport so don't listen to me.

crazymissdaisy · 22/04/2017 22:19

Maybe it's like with children, going from one to three is a real leap, but after that, the numbers don't really matter as they become a tribe in their own right?

Original poster
Pinkandwhiteblossoms · 22/04/2017 22:19
Grin

I shouldn't follow them on FB. Makes me sad. I have already seen about six cats I could just fall in love with. Actually no. All of them!

OP posts:
YesItsMeIDontCare · 22/04/2017 22:20

4 is definitely not too many, even more so when no.4 is in a rescue and unlikely to be chosen due to age or special needs.

Pic?

Justmadeperfectflapjacks · 22/04/2017 22:20

We had 6 once. .

1 for every day with Sunday off. .
My theory anyway!
Only 2 now. .
None of the original 6 sadly. .

Turn down your TV and I bet you can hear him meowing for you to go get him op!!

Mum2jenny · 22/04/2017 22:21

1 is too many for me.

trinitybleu · 22/04/2017 22:22

We're on 5 after a stray joined us and that's still manageable ... but £50 a week in food!

Maggy74653 · 22/04/2017 22:23

When I was a kid the most cats we had was 5, and they were all a result of needing homes. People moving abroad or owners moving into care homes etc.

I think if you've got enough space and time to care for them then there is no reason not to have more cats Smile

PencilsInSpace · 22/04/2017 22:24

You need to ask your cats this question Grin

If you think they will all get along and you can afford to keep him then go for it.

Original poster
Pinkandwhiteblossoms · 22/04/2017 22:24

I don't know how to link through Facebook - but he looks so FRIENDLY. Just a regular black cat but with a kind face I've lost the plot and his previous owner died and this has made me really sad.

Just thought, if she was elderly he might not be used to small children? Hmm don't want to shock the poor thing, although in fairness being kind to animals is the ONE thing my children listen to me about and are very sweet with our existing cats and the chickens.

OP posts:
Original poster
Pinkandwhiteblossoms · 22/04/2017 22:25

Mum2jenny off this board immediately! Shock Grin

I've messaged the cat rescue centre to ask if he is used to children. They've already indicated he's fine with other cats.

OP posts:
vitaminC · 22/04/2017 22:25

I would say it depends where you live,how much space you have, and whether they are indoor or outdoor cats...

IlsaLund · 22/04/2017 22:26

We have 5 because I can't resist looking at our local rescue page.

Our last addition came about because I saw a lovely cat on the site and called in to enquire - he'd been re-homed but we were was there we went in just have a look at the other resident cats.

DH and I agreed that one of them had chosen us - as soon as we went in he jumped up onto a shelf and started miaowing and waving his paw at us so he came home with us.

Mum2jenny · 22/04/2017 22:28

I like dogs and puppies though Sad but not cats, sorry!

Fortheloveofscience · 22/04/2017 22:28

It depends. Probably going to get flamed for this but I think the optimum for the cat is usually 1 per household. They are solitary and territorial, I think that forcing them to divide the house and garden into different territories can be very stressful. If you're on a farm or have a huge house then it's different, and I know a lot of littemates etc stay close but IMO taking on an unknown rescue into a household of adult cats is a risk - particularly as they are so good at hiding stress and discomfort.

Original poster
Pinkandwhiteblossoms · 22/04/2017 22:29

I love dogs too, which is why I think DH will let me have this cat

OP posts:
stumblymonkeyreturns · 22/04/2017 22:30

I have four cats; definitely not too many at all!

Nine however was another story...

shouldwestayorshouldwego · 22/04/2017 22:30

Dropped some bits off at a rescue centre today and the cats were lovely, could scoop them up and bring them all home. My two would never forgive me though. I think that the only additions would be accidental ones and even then I think they have seen off all the local strays. They know a good deal when they see it.

EmmaC78 · 22/04/2017 22:31

I also think it depends on whether they are indoor or outdoor cats. When I lived at home we had 5 cats. 3 went outdoors and 2 stayed in. It was fine although I think 5 in all the time would have been too much.

Original poster
Pinkandwhiteblossoms · 22/04/2017 22:32

Gosh, I don't think you should get flamed, it's a very valid point.

Of the three we have, all are rescue cats and two are males and one female. Boycat1 is the son of GirlCat so you'd expect them to be close but it's Boycat1 and Boycat2 who aren't related. The younger of the two males seems to think our old man is his dad or something. Hates being separated from him!

GirlCat is a mystery. Sometimes she is ridiculously aloof and refuses to even come in the house. We live near a farm and she hunts mice and sits by the pond staring at two mallards who have taken up residence. Other times she is my BFF.

OP posts:
lottieandmia · 22/04/2017 22:32

I have three. They are all house cats so can't go out. They get on fine but we do have quite a big house.

Original poster
Pinkandwhiteblossoms · 22/04/2017 22:33

I've never had a housecat - all mine have been desperate to get in the open air! Maybe it's me Grin

OP posts:
HemanOrSheRa · 22/04/2017 22:33

I love dogs too, which is why I think DH will let me have this cat

That's the spirit OP! We've got 2 cats and a dog (she's cat sized too) Smile.

DramaAlpaca · 22/04/2017 22:33

Personally I would never have more than two.