Should I get a third cat?

[Henrythehoover]

One of my neighbours has a kitten they are giving away and I'm so tempted to have him as I'm worried he will end up in a bad home. I have two year and a half old girls and I want to be sure I'm not just jumping into it. Do three cats work ok? Is it hugely more expensive for food etc. My girls are like a couple of kittens still playing and running round the house like nutters will they take to him Ok?

It's very tempting! I've always had 3 cats, but when my 20 year old lovely boy was PTS a few weeks ago, I decided that I wouldn't have another one, so now I have 2 and I plan to eventually only have 1. 3 cats can work very well, but also, there's no guarantee they'll get along , you just have to take a chance. Now I only have 2, my food bill has reduced by nearly £20 pw, as my old boy was a big eater. My vet bill has reduced drastically as well because my old cat had a few ailments.

£20 a week!! What food do you feed them? I spend about £8 a week on my pair for food. Maybe slightly more if you count all the ham they beg off the kids.

I'm trying to be sensible as it's so easy to just say yes. I live in an where all the front doors open into a large garden area so there are alot of cats in an enclosed area and my two don't seem bothered by other cats at all. But then again they aren't in their house.

We've never really noticed much of a difference with an extra mouth to feed. The noticeable difference is vet bills/ insurance costs so definitely essential to budget not only for routine things like vaccinations but also emergencies or other illness.

No way of knowing for sure your girls will like him as it's just down to the individual personalities but with them being a similar age there's hope he'll become another playmate eventually.

If you can budget for the extra vet care/ insurance I'd take a chance on him. Better to get him into a loving home with you than risk him falling into the wrong hands.

I've never had my cats insured I just have a bit of savings to one side for them. Touch wood they have only been to the vets twice once for their first have and to be done. I get my flea treatment through one of those pay monthly plans and other than that they have all the normal stuff.

I think me worrying about him being giving away has to be put to one side and so I can seriously think about it.

Poor little thing if you can afford it do it why are they giving him away? Have they vaccinated him and everything?

My cautionary tale would be one of our cats had vet bills running into five figures within an 18 month period. Not including other bills through his life including approx £1k when he was young. So would recommend insurance or substantial savings.

Another one of ours has had various issues starting in his mid life, and we're now 'in profit' with his insurance r.e what we've paid in premiums vs payouts.

Thought I'd update. This is Puddin the newest member of our family!

Forgot to add the picture this is him

Oh he is so adorable and so young! How are the others taking it?

Omg so adorable ❤️❤️❤️

They keep sniffing him and half hissing but have gone back to chasing each other up and down the stairs so can't be to bothered. He's really friendly and has been sleeping on me. So different to when I got the girls who just hid for ages.

Hello Puddin. How cute. He looks at home already. I call my cats Pud.

He got named that as we already have a Harley Quin so thought it fit.

Another pic

One more

Are you keeping him in a separate room from them? I did that for Afew days. I wouldn't leave him alone with them if you have to go out. He is gorgeous why did your neighbour want rid of him? Did she take him to the vets at least?

He's been wormed and fleed. Not sure about the vet. Will be taking him soon. My two go out while I'm out (as they poo anywhere but the litter tray if im not there) so he is on his own during the day.

We have three cats . It's a good number. Can you afford vets bills and inoculations?

Just seen update. Sooo cute!

My dog is called Harley!

How adorable!