2 indoor cats, considering a 3rd

lisajane8482

Currently we have 2 indoor cats, 2 male neutered black DSH 1.5 years and 3 years old. They both get along really well with very few if any serious fights/fallouts. I'm currently considering getting a third but want to make sure I make the right decision.

I do realise that there's the possibility that they may not all get along and I know that should the worst happen my friend, who we would be getting the cat from, will take it back if needed... Which would be worse case scenario when all over options have been exhausted.

We have a largish two story house and at the moment both cats have the run of the kitchen and our bedroom when we are out. If we did get a third we would also give them access to the front room so they had more space to run/play/chill out. I work 9-5 5 days a week and OH works shifts so there will be some days when they would be left alone for most of the day.

Financially we can afford a third cat and realise that we would need to find a place for another litter tray but besides that there isn't any reason for not getting a third besides the possibility that 3 cats is one too many.

I guess finally getting down to the nitty gritty of it I'm looking for advice from other people who have/had three or more indoor cats on whether or not three truly was a crowd.

TIA

pink.1970

Hi,

We have 5 indoor cats, 1 who is a 9yr old male, 1 who is a 16 month old male both of these are neutered and 3 female kitten about 9 weeks old who are not speyed as of yet.

They all get along fine, and all find their own places in the house, right now 2 kittens on sofa, 1 on dining room chair, 1 boy behind me in chair and last boy upstairs on bed.

Artytarty

I think you run the risk of seriously stressing your existing two cats.
Walk yourself why would you do it?
Possibly the answer is more for yourself than the.
I'm sorry, I'm not wording this well, I am sounding mean when I don't intend it.
Plenty have don't it, lots have multiple cat households, but I don't think it's ideal.

lisajane8482

Artytarty, I don't think you're being mean at all. We're all entitled to our opinions, I'm looking for advice which means taking the yes do it with the no don't.

I know that in some cases it works and others it doesn't which is why I asked so that when I do finally make my decision I know that I've made it to the best of my ability.

To answer the why I want to do it. Partly because I would like another furry companion, partly because I would like to rescue another cat and give it the best life it deserves but not at the expense of my current cats happiness

Sagz_2

I've never had indoor cats, but have shared my home with up to 8 cats at a time (and 8 dogs!).

By bringing another cat into your home yes you do risk upsetting your 2 existing cats. There is always that risk. It looks like you have considered it though, and made plans in case it happens - that's so much more than many people do! Well done.

When I've bought new pets into the house I try and keep them in a quiet room for a few days to settle and be happy in my company, then I leave the door open to their room and let them come out in their own time. Sometimes the existing cats go in and say hello (or hiss!) and sometimes the new cat comes out to be with me.

I keep any excitement to a minimum, no running about (by humans or animals), no 'special' food treats or new toys. Nothing that could cause a row between the cats. I put the new pet back in the quiet room at meal times or when I'm not around to supervise them.

When trouble erupts (and it will) I interrupt it with a clap or shout - loud and fast - then right back to normal ASAP. I also make sure that all existing pets get lots of calm, quiet, attention whilst the new pet is around.

Animals pick up on our feelings so try not to stress and keep routines as normal as possible. The new cat will see that the existing cats are happy and soon learn the ropes.

In time, and it's important not to rush things, everyone gets used to everyone else. It can take weeks for them all to find a way to get along - or it can take months!

My old cat took 2 years before she was happy in to be touched by my OH, but she ended up loving him because he gave her time to adapt and didn't force attention on her.

Good Luck x

Sagz_2

Oh I forgot!

Feliway - can't hurt to use it.

chocdonuty

We have three indoor cats, they do argue sometimes more so than when we had two but I'm hoping that will die down as the youngest grows a bit more, it does depend on the individual cats.
My three never sleep together as a trio but occasionally as pairs, the main trouble I have is with the youngest bothering the oldest as she's gorgeous and loves a fuss but only when she demands it, otherwise she hates being disturbed or picked up, so when the kitten jumps on her she tells him off, loudly!
I only have two litter trays and they barely use one of them so for some, litter trays aren't an issue.
I wouldn't be without mine now but sometimes I do wonder if it would be better with just the original calmer pair.
Also cattery costs (if you use them) do they have triple pens? Cost of holidays will go up too if you have another cat to board.
Lots of toys and a cat tree is a must to keep the little furries occupied during the day

geri1965_2

I do think it's important to have a big enough house for the cats to have their own space. I have a small two bed terrace, so two is my maximum. A friend has three, which she used to keep cooped up in her bedroom, and they were always fighting. Now she has let them downstairs and they have access to the garden and they are much happier.

If you have a largish house then three might be OK but I would still be wary of upsetting the balance.

valk_scot

I have three, unrelated and different ages. The reason I think three is better than two is if one dies the other two are still there for each other and you're not faced with one old lonely cat who won't settle with a new cat. We've stuck to three cats for years, as one dies we give it a few weeks and then get an older kitten. They've all got on just fine after the odd bit of hissing and pinching each other's food and beds. We've always stuck to males btw, on the principle that three of the same sex might get on better.

Lilyjade

I have 4 indoor cats, 12 yrs, 3 yrs and 2 yrs, only the middle 2 are siblings. Apart from the siblings they were all rescued at different times. The eldest rules the house, the others all get on well, but I rarely see them cuddled up together. There are a lot of play fights and it can be a bit mad when the youngest 3 start chasing each other. However we let them in every room at all times. They also have a large outdoor enclosure that they can access when they want, loads of toys and climbing posts.

I didn't notice much difference going from 2 to 3 cats, but 4 cats I noticed more. Also factor in that they could all get sick at the same time and vet costs.

Multi cat households do work, no matter what some 'experts' say (the rescue I volunteer at has numerous outdoor and indoor multi cat colonies).

lisajane8482

Thanks for all the replies and for sharing your experiences.

We have a ceiling cat tree, a radiator bed for each cat (we'd have to buy a third), mats/bedding on top of cupboards in the kitchen so there's plenty of places they can go when they've had enough of each other.

The current two are insured and the new addition would be insured too. We also have a pot of cash to cover consultations and the excess should we need to claim.

I'm going to have a look at what cats she has some point over the weekend and decide from there. I'm lucky that she will take the cat back if they didn't get along but it would like I've said be a last resort when nothing else worked. If we do decide to adopt I had thought about getting some feliway. Would one diffuser be enough (in a central place like the hallway) or would I need a couple.