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?
Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Cats & Kittens
Too many cats?
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Posted 3 years ago by hooversmom #
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If you can take care of 11 I don't think it's too many at all. I wish I could have 11 cats!
Posted 3 years ago by HuddysMama #
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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.
Posted 3 years ago by cricketsmama #
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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.
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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.
Posted 3 years ago by Elene_YorkPA_7/21 #
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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.
Posted 3 years ago by anncetera2 #
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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.
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anncetera, one of the kitties is homely?
Posted 3 years ago by HuddysMama #
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wonderful advice Anncetera.
Posted 3 years ago by MeezerMama in OK; 10/23 #
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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).
Posted 3 years ago by anncetera2 #
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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
Posted 3 years ago by anncetera2 #
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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
Posted 3 years ago by anncetera2 #
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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.
Posted 3 years ago by HuddysMama #
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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.
Posted 3 years ago by Ouize in Central FL (6/19) #
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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.
Posted 3 years ago by anncetera2 #
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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.
Posted 3 years ago by HuddysMama #
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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.
Posted 3 years ago by Tigerlilly #
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Who in their right mind would call those girls 'too ugly.' They're beautiful, Tigerlilly.
Posted 3 years ago by HuddysMama #
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TL, who could call kitties ugly? Yours are beautiful!
Posted 3 years ago by SylvesterMiasMomma #
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My aunt lives on a cul-de-sac that is a favorite "dumping ground" for unwanted kitties. Whenever a new one shows up, she takes it in--the screen porch is just for cats. She has never had fewer than 10, with gusts up to 30. My favorite? When the number of cats was reaching its upper limit, and a new black cat arrived between the time my uncle left for work (he has never been a cat lover) and the time he returned at the end of the day. His response? "Another cat? Dammit!"
Dammit became his name for the rest of its life!
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Thanks everyone. I will read these posts to the girls later, as I continue to reassure them every day that they are my beautiful princesses, trying to build up their self esteem issues after they saw the rest of their family find homes quickly and leave my little ladies behind.
2bpurring, I'll tell Mickey how you feel, but as you can see from his pose, he is one self confident young man and knows that he is it!!Posted 3 years ago by Tigerlilly #
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Tigerlilly, I think all your kitties are adorable. I see beauty where others miss it.
Posted 3 years ago by Renee in Arkansas #
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Well said Karen!
Thanks Renee, I'm the same way.Posted 3 years ago by Tigerlilly #
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