How many cats is too many?

blizeH

Thank you all so much for your responses and experiences guys! Really found it helpful.

Regarding space and resources - I think we'd be okay in that regard, we've become a lot more frugal lately, so the money we're saving from things like dropping to 1 car, cancelling Sky etc should more than cover any cat costs

cyantist wrote: »

If Murphy isn't getting used to Misty too well, maybe you should stop at 2?

This is probably the key point - he still isn't friendly with her (he doesn't like her getting in his personal space) but most importantly his personality hasn't changed at all, he's still super friendly and loves being around us, he genuinely still seems really happy.

From a personal/selfish point of view I'm not sure I want another cat, however Mumford has been in the shelter for almost a year now and seems to absolutely hate it. I know there are lots of cats in a similar position, but a year is a very long time to be somewhere you hate, especially for a cat.

Faith177

We have 10 at ours at the moment 9 mine and OH's and 1 is our housemates.

We didn't intend on having so many but like the 1 you have just taken in and the 1 you are looking at they are all rescues and I don't think half of the would have found a home. Three are related a mum & two kittens found in a drug den during a police raid close to death the mum was only 6 months old herself I just couldn't bear to split them up. One has extra toes and claws in random places and is very petite she has to have her claws trimmed every few weeks as they grow so quick and hurt her if they get too long.

It can take a while for them to get use to each other when a new one turns up but after a while they all just get on with it. We have the odd punch up now again but a stern word and a sulk and all is right again.

They each have their own little spots that they have claimed Hades is the boss so she gets my pillow on my bed, Megan claims any box she can get too, Sophie likes to curl up with Hades, Ziva is always on top of the wardrobe in our room, Abbie likes the top of the tumble dryer especially if there are clothes just out of the dryer she can snuggle down in, Lucy-Fur has claimed the top of the kitchen cupboard, Lillith is the guardian of the fridge you can't open it without her leaning over the top and taking inventory, Sam & Dean like to sleep on the stairs as they like to be in the centre of everything . Most of them like to go out for hours on end to have a wander but several don't leave the house at all not because they're not allowed they just don't want too.

We have several trays on the go at all time and I have to keep on top of them religiously. Food isn't that big of an expense tbh we shop around for deals and bulk buy each time.

I sometimes think we could of done without so many but they bring us so much joy and I'm so relieved that with their little quirks they live with people who understand and do everything for them to make them happy the thought doesn't last long.

Lil_Dee_2

Faith177 wrote: »

Hades is the boss so she gets my pillow on my bed, Megan claims any box she can get too, Sophie likes to curl up with Hades, Ziva is always on top of the wardrobe in our room, Abbie likes the top of the tumble dryer especially if there are clothes just out of the dryer she can snuggle down in, Lucy-Fur has claimed the top of the kitchen cupboard, Lillith is the guardian of the fridge you can't open it without her leaning over the top and taking inventory, Sam & Dean like to sleep on the stairs as they like to be in the centre of everything.

I thought we were the only one with a Ziva from NCIS !!! ;-)
I like your naming conventions......Lillith especially :A (What happened to the Devil smiley ?!?)

As for the true matter in hand, how many cats ? As many as you are comfortable with. My two have been with each other since kittens. They pretend not to like each other (one jumps up on the sofa, the other jumps down!?) but when they're caught cuddling up with each other in the same cat bed, they can't really deny they love each other, even just a lickle bit !!

Faith177

Lil_Dee wrote: »

I thought we were the only one with a Ziva from NCIS !!! ;-)
I like your naming conventions......Lillith especially :A (What happened to the Devil smiley ?!?)

As for the true matter in hand, how many cats ? As many as you are comfortable with. My two have been with each other since kittens. They pretend not to like each other (one jumps up on the sofa, the other jumps down!?) but when they're caught cuddling up with each other in the same cat bed, they can't really deny they love each other, even just a lickle bit !!

Haha glad you got the reference her sister is Abbie (spelt differently from the show) :rotfl:

Yeah our 3 black cats are Hades, Lucy-Fur and Lillith freaks our Jehovah Witness neighbours out lol

The bit in bold is my lot all over one minute at each other's throats over some minor stupid cat issue next minute all curled up on the bed washing each other (weirdos)

cte1111

It depends how they get on. We had 2 rescue cats that we got together who get on quite well. I inherited a third and unfortunately she never got on with the other two. They tried to play with her or sniff her and she would hiss and snarl at them. It did make for a stressed house at times.

Sadly the third cat died recently. I do miss her but it is a relief not to have the daily hissy fights. I'd love another cat but won't risk a 3rd again.

We've also had quite a few vet bills over the last year or so. Various minor illnesses, plus one cat with arthritis and the older one who eventually died, made a real hole in our savings. Fortunately this is what they were for, but it made us realise that more pets up the risk of unexpected costs.

arbroath_lass

blizeH wrote: »

This is probably the key point - he still isn't friendly with her (he doesn't like her getting in his personal space) but most importantly his personality hasn't changed at all, he's still super friendly and loves being around us, he genuinely still seems really happy.

From a personal/selfish point of view I'm not sure I want another cat, however Mumford has been in the shelter for almost a year now and seems to absolutely hate it. I know there are lots of cats in a similar position, but a year is a very long time to be somewhere you hate, especially for a cat.

If Murphy isn't sure about the new cat and Mumford hates being amongst other cats I think you're asking for trouble, sorry.

Mrs_Z

Hmmm... just a thought. From what I'm reading, you don't really want to introduce another cat but you are concerned for Murphy who's been at the rescue for nearly a year and hates it there. Well, how about you starting a campaign to find Murphy a loving home? There must be someone out there.... Ask friends, face book, local paper, etc.... a bit of publicity. I recall last year in Metro and Evening Standard they featured this dog that had been dumped in some station with a bag of his toys and it got rescued by a charity. Following the publication they received 100s of offers to rehome him.

ljonski

Hmmm... just a thought. From what I'm reading, you don't really want to introduce another cat but you are concerned for Murphy who's been at the rescue for nearly a year and hates it there. Well, how about you starting a campaign to find Murphy a loving home? There must be someone out there.... Ask friends, face book, local paper, etc.... a bit of publicity. I recall last year in Metro and Evening Standard they featured this dog that had been dumped in some station with a bag of his toys and it got rescued by a charity. Following the publication they received 100s of offers to rehome him.

This is good advice except that the cat in the rescue has the lovely name of Mumford!

blizeH

Heh, yeah Murphy is very stuck in his ways and I think he'd absolutely hate the idea of being re-homed now

But it is a very good idea for Mumford, I did try asking around on social media, posting to various Facebook groups etc but no luck. However, one of the ladies who helps with the shelter is kindly taking him in as a foster, not sure of the specifics but I think he's going to be a lot happier now, though I'll try to stay in touch to see how he's doing if possible.

As someone said on here there will always be many cats in need sadly, and as long as Mumford is happy in the foster home then we will continue with just Murphy and Misty and possibly take in the parent in laws cats when they go travelling - if they all adjust and get on well, we know they can be happy with more cats... if they don't, then it's only a temporary thing and they can go back to just the two of them Thanks so much again for your experiences and replies.

happysaz133

If you have the space, time and money to care for them, its never too many, as long as they all get along well I have three females, all adopted at different times and different ages - 15, 13 and 4, and they are fine together