So just how many cats is too many? You might think that’s a trick question, after all, surely you can never have too many cats?
In an ideal world, we could all live in a happy house full of cats to keep us company and entertain us, but in reality there are a lot of factors to take into account when deciding whether it’s possible to have too many cats.
You need to think about both the cats’ welfare and your own when you start adding more cats to your household. So, where do you draw the line?
How to Decide How Many Cats is Too Many
1. Space
However many cats you have, it’s important that each cat has enough space to feel safe, and to be able to have alone time if they’re feeling stressed. It’s not only floor space they need; have you got enough vertical space for them all to retreat to if they want some peace and quiet?
2. Time
Do you have enough time to spend quality time with each and every cat, both to give them the interaction they need and also just in case there’s something wrong? If you have a number of cats and one of them develops health issues, would you be able to spend enough time with them individually to notice there was something wrong? If you’re out for long hours every day, it’s good that your cats can keep each other company – but what if there’s a serious fight or an accident? There are other time considerations to do with the practicalities of looking after a number of cats – you don’t want to spend all day changing litter trays, food and water bowls!
3. Care
You need to make sure that you can look after the health and hygiene of every one of your cats, and that includes having the right number of litter trays (the rule of thumb is one per cat, plus one) and making sure they’re well socialised, with each other and with their human family.
4. Money
Can you financially afford to have a number of cats? Think about vet bills, good quality food and all of the other accessories your cats need? Would you and your family have to go without in order to be able to afford to look after your cats
5. Feline behaviour
Multi-cat households are more at risk of behavioural issues like aggression and fighting, toileting problems and territorial spraying. Many multi-cat households don’t experience these issues at all, but it’s important to remember that the more cats you have, the more chance you have of encountering problems within your furry family.
So how many cats is too many? In reality it all depends on you, and the cats. If you have the space, the love, the time and the finances to be a pet parent to a number of cats, and it won’t affect your health and happiness or the cats’ health and happiness, go for it (within reason!).
How many cats do you have? Do you think you can have too many cats, and how many is too many?
Images: Paul Bass / Helena Jacoba via Flickr
