Too many cats?

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  • 29 February, 2008 at 5:29 pm #15153
    hooversmom
    Participant

    I have eleven cats and the number seems to be growing. How many cats are too many? I don’t want to become that crazy lady on the seven o’clock news, but I just can’t turn away a hungry, cold or needy cat. Any suggestions?

    29 February, 2008 at 5:30 pm #177937
    HuddysMama
    Participant

    If you can take care of 11 I don’t think it’s too many at all. I wish I could have 11 cats!

    29 February, 2008 at 5:33 pm #177938
    cricketsmama
    Participant

    I agree with Huddy, as long as you can take care of them and yourself, I don’t think that is too many either. I would have as much as I could if my hubby would let me.

    29 February, 2008 at 5:34 pm #177939
    2bpurring
    Participant

    HM is right..if you have room for them and can take care of them..I don’t believe 11 is too many…besides..I aspire to be the crazy cat lady on the block…(of course, that may already be the case)

    29 February, 2008 at 5:39 pm #177940
    feral
    Participant

    Excuse me if I should sound too blunt,but,I recommend you stop at that number & proceed to stop the number from growing by getting them spayed & nuetered. I know from experience. Our yard started out with 2 & that number has reached 20,previously 24. You need to get in touch with a TNR program in your area.

    29 February, 2008 at 5:48 pm #177941
    Elene_YorkPA_7/21
    Participant

    I have 23 right now – it is too many because I spend my days cleaning fur bunnies, litter boxes, etc. Can’t say I feel like a crazy person, more like a rescue haven, although some days I’m a bit testy with yet another mess to clean. It wouldn’t be so bad if my newest batch of four 10 month olds couldn’t open every cabinet door and drawer. Yesterday I did buy a pack of door and drawer latches that should stop most of that issue. I also had to spend money to install french doors so I can close off my kitchen and master bedroom area from most of my kits. Haven’t done it yet, working on it gradually so they don’t get too freaked out by the change. I’ll still have some on the kitchen side, the meek ones that are always attacked unless in hiding. I am currently trying to find homes for some that would do better in a one or two cat environment where they can get more human attention. It will be hard to part with them because they happen to be some of my best lap and purr kitties.

    My only suggestion is to follow your heart. Then try to find homes for them after they are neutered, have their shots and been tested for FiV and FeLV.

    29 February, 2008 at 5:49 pm #177942
    anncetera2
    Participant

    It may be possible that you’re able to take care of that many, but I’ll share with you the questions I ask myself when thinking about taking on another cat:

    1. Will I have time to pet the cat every day, at least twice a day?

    2. Will I be able to spot the early signs of illness (observing lethargy, change of eating / drinking / toilet habits, etc.)?

    3. Will I be able to afford the veterinary care if one of my cats gets sick every month for the next 3 months?

    4. What will I do if one of my cats requires treatment or vet care totaling $500 or more, within a 6 month period of time (comparable cost to the deductible on my auto insurance and house insurance)? Common cost in my area is approx. $250-300+ for vet visit & full blood panel.

    As with everyone, I have limits. I’ve figured out that these kinds of questions help me determine if I’ll be able to take good care of my kitties, or if perhaps someone else might be able to take care of one or two or more of them, better than I could. It’s part of what caused me to part with the mama kitties and kittens from the last two stray/feral litters I took on.

    I kept two kittens, because one was still pretty feral/skittish, and the other is homely; but there’s no way I could have sustained the effort and expense of being a responsible owner for more than that. (I have 6 cats right now, and sometimes I wonder if that’s too many.)

    I strongly recommend thinking about these kinds of scenarios. None of them are far-fetched, especially when you’re talking about 11 cats or more, and especially if an infectious disease (upper respiratory infection) arrives and begins to affect 2 or more cats.

    29 February, 2008 at 5:57 pm #177943
    feral
    Participant

    Anncetera…those exact points you list are why I knew the madness here had to stop & I truly needed help from outside sources to rehome them. In a mad frenzie,I’m going to have to rearrange the newbies today because Bruiser the big boy of the litter,his head & ears are smashing the top of the cage when he stands. Oh joy,won’t this be fun. I know your not a vet,but, very professional & tried & true advice you’ve given here.

    29 February, 2008 at 5:58 pm #177944
    HuddysMama
    Participant

    anncetera, one of the kitties is homely?

    29 February, 2008 at 6:05 pm #177945
    MeezerMama in OK; 10/23
    Participant

    wonderful advice Anncetera.

    29 February, 2008 at 6:32 pm #177946
    anncetera2
    Participant

    HM, only homely in the eyes of others! I kept Violet (skittish former feral kitten) and Sweet Pea (sparsely coated tortie kitten) specifically because I knew they’d be harder to find homes for, and harder to adjust the expectations of the new owners to the characteristics of the kitties.

    I will follow with a post, linking to each kitty’s photo (so as to not be auto-banned for having more than one link in a post).

    29 February, 2008 at 6:34 pm #177947
    anncetera2
    Participant

    Photo of Violet at about 14 weeks (she’s the wary one with her eyes open; the other is Mili, now living with 2Popoki):

    http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s201/anncetera/VioletandAmelia.jpg

    29 February, 2008 at 6:36 pm #177948
    anncetera2
    Participant

    Photo of Sweet Pea at about 5 weeks (she’s the tortie, but now she looks gangly and gawky with a thin coat, sparse hair, and growth spurt going on; a purr to beat the band!):

    http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s201/anncetera/Tiny%20Kittens/IMG_0528.jpg

    29 February, 2008 at 6:40 pm #177949
    HuddysMama
    Participant

    Awwwwwww, Sweet Pea is a beautiful kitty. I love her round eyes. Torties always look so surprised at everything. She and Violet are pretty kitties in my eyes.

    29 February, 2008 at 6:42 pm #177950
    Ouize in Central FL (6/19)
    Participant

    I once had 11 kitties. For me that was too many. That number included 4 kittens that were adopted when old enough. Right now I have 6 cats, 1 inside all the time, 3 inside/outside and 2 outside part ferals. I am pretty happy with that number. I keep saying I need more cats (my husband says NO MORE CATS!), but multiple cats can become a burden for the very reasons Anncetera and Susie both listed.

    29 February, 2008 at 6:49 pm #177951
    anncetera2
    Participant

    HM, Sweet Pea is a wonderful kitty! Big purr, loves being held, will chase & bring back anything you throw for her, anywhere you throw it. Has never meowed a peep, that I’ve heard. Standing side-by-side with her siblings, though, she was at a disadvantage. She was the smallest and least outgoing of the litter, and they all had thick, plush coats; she seems to have missed being given the “undercoat” gene.

    Violet has now taken to tiny meows to get attention and petting; she has the silkiest, smoothest fur! And also big, big eyes; very alert, but I’m working on having her become less easily startled. She doesn’t like being held, and probably never will. But she’s now climbing onto my chest when I’m lying in bed, and she’s standing with her front legs on my lap; these are big signs of progress! Another sweetie, just not likely to re-home without a very understanding person who understands how to interact with cats who were formerly feral.

    I forgot to mention: that’s 6 indoor kitties, and 4 outdoor ferals; total of 10 kitties I’m taking care of.

    29 February, 2008 at 6:51 pm #177952
    HuddysMama
    Participant

    Please hug Sweet Pea for me, and since Violet can’t be bothered to be held, just give her some extra chin scritches. What precious babies.

    29 February, 2008 at 6:51 pm #177953
    2bpurring
    Participant

    Sweet Pea and Violet are beauties…

    29 February, 2008 at 6:57 pm #177954
    Cato1730
    Participant

    When I think of adding another kitty to my household of one cat, I ask my self if Cato could tolerate another cat. I still only have one cat! Elizabeth

    29 February, 2008 at 7:16 pm #177955
    Tigerlilly
    Participant

    anncetera, I think your kitties are beautiful. I love all torties. The last two girls that we adopted from rescue were Kara and Karina, you can see them on Catster, we had to have them once we heard that all of their 6 week old siblings and even their Mama had been adopted, esxcept for our girls (they were then 14 months old), because “they were too ugly”. Now they have been with us for 6 months and they are the sweetest girls in the world and fill our home with joy every day.

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