Is it a good idea to have three or four cats?

[AnotherCrazyCatLady]

Just that really.

I have two cats: sisters that are approximately two years old.

Should I add one or two more cats?

Edited to add: they came to the shelter in a group of four, with two other siblings. When they were adopted by me they were sharing a cage with two other (unrelated) cats. I also asked the shelter about whether I could add more cats in the future, and their advice was a male of similar age or two kittens.

I wouldn’t. I’ve had two brothers for 10 years - got them as kittens. 2 years ago we adopted a stray who had been hanging around outside and who was desperate at the time we took him in - skin and bone - rotten teeth which we’ve paid over a thousand pounds to have extracted. I couldn’t have left him - he wouldn’t have lasted much longer - but the affect it had on my existing two wasn’t good.

We persevered - but it was hard. There was fighting, urine spraying - which necessitated feliways in three rooms for months, and I had to separate the stray cat from the other two for months when we were out all day at work. Things have now calmed down - ish - they more or less tolerate him - but it’s still not great and one of my brothers has been very stressed with the interloper in his home.

I don’t regret taking Des in. It was the right thing to do and he’s a lovely boy but it’s been a very difficult couple of years. If you’ve already got two - I’d leave it at that.

Why do you want to? Or are you going to add one and wondering if two would be better?
Obviously no one knows the temperament of your existing cats. I have two Maine Coons, they fall very much on their reputation: the male is a cuddly teddy bear, the female more self contained. I could see the male being ok with a new addition, not sure about the female. I suppose if you got two they would focus on each other rather than bothering the older cats.

We have 5. Don’t.

We’ve always had multiple, unrelated cats and have never had any issues - we currently have three males aged 10, 5 and 2. They’ve never fought, never marked inappropriately and quite happily share litter trays (though they all go outside), food bowls and beds etc.

I have 3, aged 2, 5, and 7. I’m currently awake and eating shortbread because they decided 5am was the perfect time to smack everything I own onto the floor just because they are arseholes and I won’t get back to sleep now. If your two cats get along, don’t get a third. Don’t do that to yourself.

I have a male aged 6, a female aged 3, and three months ago we added a female kitten who is just lovely. It’s the second cat who upset things the most - cat 1 rather enjoyed being an only cat, and he and cat 2 bicker and annoy each other. Cats 2 and 3 get on really well though, so now cat 1 gets left in peace whilst the others play. You just never know.

I would get a kitten just one anymore and it would be a circus .Its the older cats territory they will be more accepting of a kitten than a full grown adult. Plus i find a young kitten brings out the older ones kitten side. Its a smoother introduction ,my only issue. Kittens are a handful curtain swinging, toilet diving and wire chewing o my

Four is a good number of cats. We have two pairs of siblings aged coming up for 15 and 8. We've tended to 'top up' when the oldest pair are no longer with us.

I have 4 currently. Have had 5 and 6 in previous years.
I would stick with the 2 you have.
Introducing more will very likely tip the apple cart. One or more wont get along with the others. And you may find that one of your existing cats will move out or start spending more time away if they dont like the new cats.
If it ain't broke.....

I adore my cats. But Im done with having so many. Ive done it for 30 years. I would only ever have 2 max from now on.

Why risk more if they are a stable pair. Cats are territorial and you can’t guarantee it will work out. I have my cat because her previous owner got a kitten and she didn’t like it so moved out.

You've convinced me!

This is what we have always done and most of the time it's worked out well.
But the last 3 times it hasnt. One old boy moved out completely. Another female will now only venture into the kitchen after I introduced another cat. You just never know.
Hopefully you will be lucky OP.
I have an absolute prick of a ginger boy. He is tiny. And he terrorises all the others. Even his brother who is built like Mike Tyson

And now being serious:

To those asking, why more: I see so many cats that need homes, and would love to be able to care for them. But I'm also aware of the risks that a stable dynamic might be disrupted. Hence I'm interested to hear about experiences with adding cats to an existing household.

To the extent I'm leaning towards any option (although I'm not sure I'm yet leaning towards anything), it would probably be the two-kitten option, on the basis that the kittens have each other. Maybe @Grumpyoldpersonwithcats 's model is the way to go!

His OP
Do your cats go outside, or are they indoor cats? It's easier if they go out, as they can get away from each other and have have more territory.

I've done a lot of introductions, either a single or a pair, to my existing cats. Most have gone fine, occasionally they haven't. You can't predict it. In your position I'd get another pair of kittens. If you're looking for rescues, kitten season usually starts in April.

I've currently got four cats brought in at three different times, and they all get on. But it's partly luck, and I once had a major issue where my oldest girl took an instant dislike to a male kitten. It was unexpected because she is usually very docile and friendly.

It is a good thing to do.
We have always gone with this exact approach. We top up with 2 kittens (siblings) when one is on its last legs.
Our reasoning is that they will be company for each other. Which works well when they are kittens. I think it's easier.
However, they rarely end up liking each other or being close in adulthood. Or at least in my experience. They tolerate. Which is fine. But my latest pair of sibling boys hate each other. Its the wee ginger, he fucking hates everyone apart from me 🤣

Our cats have always rubbed along quite happily.
@Horrace One of our younger cat pair sounds like your ginger boy as he is tbh a bit of a shitbag but the others put up with him. 🤣
In 40 odd years of cat ownership I've never had cats who objected to living in a group - when they are inside they are frequently in the same room (or on the same bed at night) and share the same feeding area and litter tray without problems.
Our previous generation used to happily share the same lap...

See, this makes me happy. Ive had this with previous batches over the years. I just forget.

OP, you should go for it. Ignore me. Just dont get a ginger

I have 3 5 year old and 2 4 month old kittens, as others have echoed my older boy was more accepting of the kittens and didnt take long for them to settle together he plays more with the male kitten but adores the female kitten its really sweet.
Ideally I wouldn’t have had more than 2 but given that our two kittens were ragdolls we didn’t want to risk having our older cat not take to the kitten and it be left alone plus now we have them it’s the best decision super sweeties.
But you also need to look at the cost of having more cats insurance, food, vaccinations etc.

We've always had multiple cats, only ever had one problem which was a kitten who moved in who was a bit of a bully (even as a kitten!) Otherwise, we've had 2 bonded cats in the past then added more with no issues to speak of. Most recent was bringing home an adult former feral to a household of 2 bonded males, then later a kitten adopting us - they all settled in well.

The original pair still adore each other, the feral adores one of them and the (now adult) kitten loves everyone. 4 is definitely a good number to have IMO!

I have 3, my OG is nearly 17 and I’ve had her since she was 8 weeks old. 3 years ago I adopted a 2 year old timid but sweet and calm girl. They aren’t friends but they rub along ok. Then about 6 months later I added a kitten who to this day remains an erratic ball of energy! He is a pest and gets hit in the face daily by both of the girls for some transgression or other.

So now they’re nearly 17, 5 and nearly 3 and on the whole it’s peaceful and I love that they all have their special personalities and particular times of day that they come to me for love and cuddles. They share litter trays and food/water bowls. Oh and they’re all tuxedos.

Im always tempted to add a fourth.

You'll never know until you've done it really because it all depends on the cats personality's

I have 2 rescue cats and they both lived with multiple cats prior to me getting them . One of my boys is very friendly with all animals of all ages, the other cat is friendly with other adult animals but not kittens or puppies.... but I didn't know that until I got kittens and a puppy 😅

Cat owner of two here and I would advise sticking with the two you have. Adding more will most likely upset the dynamics (and I say this as someone who is frequently tempted to rehome but I don’t want a house full of unhappy cats).