How many cats do you have???

[JLS]

Lately, I have been toying with the idea of getting another cat! (Actually, a kitten). It would make #3 cats to one single woman in my household.

I was just wondering how many cats others everyone else has...and if 2 is that much different than 3!!!

[RunnerKim]

I have 2 cats and a dog (golden retriever). I'm glad I have 2 cats as they're good company for each other (they're brothers/littermates). When I grew up we almost always had 3 cats since there were 3 of us kids (sometimes more than that). My parents still have around 5 (they live rurally and it's amazing how cats can just show up when no one lives within sight). I don't think the quantity is an issue so much as the cats personalities. If the 2 you have are well adjusted (for cats anyway!) and will accept a kitten given time, then I'd say go for it! I assume you've considered the extra cost for food & care. A new kitten can bring a lot of life back into your household!

Kim

[SusanL]

I am seriously allergic to cats. I take an allergy pill once a day, we are talking $1.00 a day just to keep the most precious cat in the world! If I could, I would have more but my allergist, who is not happy about this situation, stated that more than one cat would put me over! I say "Go for it!" If I could, I would be that crazy lady down the street with 37 cats!!

[Elisabeth]

I just have two; getting the second one practically caused a divorce! So I can't imagine I would ever add a third, though I'd be happy to be the crazy cat lady and have dozens.

My two loathe each other. Well, the first one, Kitty, who was an only cat for 8 years (really an only pet, because she has a knack for ignoring the dog, despite the fact that the dog has been a member of the family for 5 years now), loathes the new one, Olivia. It doesn't help that Olivia is twice Kitty's size and chases her every time she sees her. But I think Kitty really brings it on herself because she also has a knack for slinking around looking very much like prey. Even I sort of want to chase her. Despite the daily cat fights, having two is no more trouble than having one, except the litter box needs cleaning a bit more often, so I can't imagine that adding a third would make much difference.

But then, that's always been my pet philosophy: if one is good, two is better, and 12 is just right!

[wallycat]

We currently have one "official" cat who strolled up to my DH's townhouse and stayed, low these 16+ years (we think 16). He's getting older and stays indoors most of the winter otherwise he is free to roam the backyard....
but...a new development as of this summer!
THe SWEEEEETEST almost all white cat started stopping by regularly (a stray we figure) so we left food out for her...well...end of summer, and there were 3 "baby meows," as I call them! One was gone almost immediately (car accident or ??) but the other 2 have stayed...so we are feeding and feeding these guys twice/day. The mommy cat (original) only stops by occasionally and the "daddy" cat has started coming around again. Because there is food out there, occasional visitor cats stop by to eat as well.
The temps dropped so low here that my DH built them a "house" type of situation to get out of the cold....
We don't know if what we are doing is good or bad...we'd like to catch them to get neutered/spayed, but we think they may be ferril(sp?)...to call the humane society, we fear they would be put to sleep...
so, to answer your question...we have 1 "indoor" pet cat and at least 6 "outdoor" ones. :D :D
(if anyone has suggestions for dealing with the stray cat population, i"d be MORE than happy to listen....they are eating us out of house and home plus we are not sure if we are doing the right thing....):confused:
(edit)
forgot to mention...we are considering getting Siberian kitties...
I am allergic to cats (RAST test) and I get contact hives when I touch our current guy, Wally, but Siberians are supposed to be almost allergen free!!! If anyone has a siberian and can share their allergic response, I'd love it...)

[BlueMoose]

3 cats (used to have 4) and 1 dog.

[kwormann]

We have 2 cats (7 and 5) and a baby (16 weeks)

The timing is funny because I was just on the phone with DH and he said he had something for me that was sitting next to him on the seat (in the car) and I asked if it was a kitty.....

[JLS]

BlueMoose...how many people are in your household??

[AZLorena]

4 cats......(did have 5....we just put one down about 3 months ago) We would have 10 if our house was big enough.

Lorena

[Beth]

Wallycat, I once took a ferel cat to be neutered and vaccinated because he was hanging around my house and then only cat. Getting him in the car and into the vet's office was an ordeal (I have carriers now - never needed them with just the one lady cat). I was convinced he could not live with us at that point and that he would never be adopted either.

I sobbed and sobbed at the vet's office and wound up leaving him to be nuetered and declawed (the two were fighting and the lady cat was a stray that had already been declawed). He turned into my personal marshmallow (all white cat). He later adopted my husband but would run and hide around any people he did not know well. He was the sweetest cat, and we had him about 4 years before we lost him to an enlarged heart. He was a very loving and appreciative cat.

Even if your outdoor cats don't ever become true pets, I would have them spayed or neutered (and vaccinated if they may come into contact with your indoor kitty), for their sake, your indoor cat's sake and to prevent an overrun of kittens. I once read that a ferel cat has an average life span of about 18 mo.

[wallycat]

How did you catch the ferel ones?
THese guys run IMMEDIATELY upon hearing the patio door open...

[HRJ]

If we didn't exert some self-control, DH and I would be the crazy old man and crazy old lady with 37 cats.

We have two cats at the moment, but only because we just lost our beloved 17-year-old Tiger to intestinal cancer a few days after New Year's. :( I still can't believe I don't see his face at the window when I come home in the evening ...

But, for the past 12 years or so, we have had three cats. I think the most important factors are the personalities of the cats, how much space you have -- and, some may disagree with this, but I think the gender mix is important, too.

Our first three cats were all males. The first two came as stray kittens that either I or DH had taken in off the street; the third was an abandoned kitten that had been rescued by a neighbor of ours. We had all three neutered, but not declawed. We had a small-ish house at the time.

We loved all the "boysies," but I would not put three males together again, unless I had a lot of space for them to spread out in. There was a lot of fighting over territory, and the marking and spraying behavior that came with it.

Last June, one of the original three died of a stroke. Four months later, we adopted a female kitten, so we had 2 boys, 1 girl. Maybe it was because of the gap in their ages -- the boys were 17 and 15 by this point -- but the interaction between them and the kitten was very different than it had been with the other male -- particularly, no fighting. (Of course, this might change as she gets older and starts to challenge authority). Also, we live in a bigger house now -- more space between the cats if they want it. (But, all the cats stay inside).

If we get another kitten, we would also look for a female -- we would not want more than one male at a time. Maybe if the males were littermates and had grown up together, it would make a difference.

As far as other things -- no, 3 is not that much different than 2 -- (even better -- more cats to love!). It does mean buying some more food, cleaning another litter box, and another trip to the vet each year for shots or other care. But all that doesn't take up that much more time, or money.

And when the winter wind's blowing, nothing beats a "three cat night."

Helene

[sjs9601]

We have 2 four legged kids - Tom & Jerry. They are siblings and we originally had the entire litter, but gave the other 2 to family and friends. (we gave the only long haired one of the bunch to my MIL, don't know how we dodged that bullet!).

We've tried having 3 but T&J will have nothing of it. They get along wonderfully and have never spent a day apart. They are wonderful company for each other and even though they're getting older (8+ years) they still wrestle and sleep with each other.

I don't know what I'll do when the time comes that I'm down to one:( - I do think having 2 is the perfect solution, they keep each other company (someone once said they would keep each other out of trouble, but they actually seem to find trouble!)

I would say stick with 2, unless you're prepared for lots of snarling and hissing.

[Nirak]

We have two cats and two kids and two grownups. The grownups came first, then the cats (littermates) then the kids. The cats used to love each other but now they hate each other. DD1 has really stepped in as a referee/coach/nursemaid (between the cats, not the humans!) and it helps tremendously!

[Peggy]

Just one cat in our household. Our "Precious" is queen of the house and wouldn't tolerate another. She is actually officially my daughter's cat. Sarah says she is Precious' mother, so I have one furry grandchild.:D Since Sarah is only 12, I prefer to keep the grandchildren furry!

Peggy

[Beth]

Originally posted by wallycat
How did you catch the ferel ones?
THese guys run IMMEDIATELY upon hearing the patio door open...

It was just one, and he would bolt two or three houses away if I came about, but I set about a patient plan. I would sit on the porch steps and pet my cat, hold her -- any kind of interaction with her when he was within sighting distance.

I spotted him in my backyard one day and began to notice that his fur was looking dry and not so well kept. He tried to hobble off, but one of his front paws was slashed between two of his toes. I didn't want to hurt of stress him, so I backed off. But I realized he was having a hard time fending for himself, and that's when I broke down and put food out for him -- but not too close to the back door.

Again, I would sit and pet my cat at the back steps where he could see us. As he watched us and got fed, he began to trust me -- but it may have only happened because he was injured, couldn't get away, and then learned free food was not so bad.

He was a very special cat.

[Norma]

We have 5. We originally had 3 which we thought was the maximum, but our neighbors divorced and moved to apartments where they couldn't have cats and were going to take their 2 cats to the pound. How can anyone do this! We adopted them and they eventually became part of the household. Our original 3 tolerate them. We have a few scuffles now and then. 5 doesn't seem any different than 3 except WHEN THEY'RE ALL IN THE SAME ROOM! Then it looks like we have too many.
:D
They are all so much fun...all different personalities...all spoiled rotten.

[phantomcg]

.....but I used to have four (I lost one to cancer about 4 years ago). Mine have been together for almost 14 years. Adding another one is out of the question. I tried once - it was a disaster. We also have two dogs - a Dalmation and a Keeshond.

Cheryl

[JHolcomb]

This is so timely. I really, really want another cat but we have one cat, 3 years old this February (we've had her 2 years), and I'm afraid she wouldn't take well to another cat in the house. But I do like the idea of her having another cat to play with (I think we'd get a kitten as opposed to another older cat, but I dunno). DH think that she'd be way to jealous but I'd really like two. I just don't know if it's fair to Tiva. Any thoughts from anyone whos brought a new cat into a house with an established, attention demaning cat?

[lhall]

Amazingly...only one. He'll be 13 in April and has kidney problems so he's been on KD for over a year. He's doing great, but I don't think another cat is a good idea until he's gone. The kitten food would make him sick.

When I was in HS we had 6 cats and 2 dogs. When I moved home with my 2 cats after college it was 8 Cats and 2 Dogs. Mom got a family discount at the vet when she took in ALL 10 pets for their shots at once!

Leigh

[Laura B]

We have two fur babies. We have thought about getting a kitten, but I think it would be too stressful for all involved at this point. Maybe when our boys are older (and more mellow) we could think about it. Right now, I think there would be issues. Plus, my biggest stress point is thinking about keeping separate kitten and adult food and having another litter box. The latter cannot happen until we live in a bigger house. A kitten would never be able to get into our litterbox where it is right now and that is the only place for it in our small townhouse. One day...

[Elisabeth]

JHolcomb, I think so much depends on cat personalities. My mother's first cat, Jack, was so pleased when she got a second cat; he likes to bathe Gabby and hang out with her. They were both full-grown when she got them. But my 1st cat, Kitty, has never forgiven me for the second one. If I had it to do over again, I think I'd get a kitten because sizewise, that wouldn't be as much of a threat as a full-grown cat. Cat #2, Olivia, arrived bigger than Kitty and immediately started beating her up--so you can't really blame Kitty for the long sulk she's been in (7 months and counting). I think the adjustment has been really stressful for her simply because Olivia really can beat her up. A kitten would have been a better choice because Kitty would have been the dominant one, at least for awhile. But it does all settle down eventually. Kitty spent a couple of months basically hiding under furniture and refusing to eat, but she is adjusting--she's willing to be in the same room with Olivia now, though she's always eager to start hissing and growling at her, and her appetite has improved. They've really developed separate schedules--Kitty is awake and active when Olivia sleeps, and vice versa. As long as you don't go into it with expectations that they'll ever be best friends--as long as toleration is the goal--I say go for it.

[beejayw1]

Originally posted by HRJ
We have two cats at the moment, but only because we just lost our beloved 17-year-old Tiger to intestinal cancer a few days after New Year's. :( I still can't believe I don't see his face at the window when I come home in the evening ...

Helene -

I'm so sorry, and I know just how you feel. We now have 4 cats and 1 dog. Used to have five, but our darling, 15 year old, wheezy Vickie was lost to cancer just this Tuesday. It was a hard decision, and the right one, but I really miss her raucous purr.

As for JLS - if you can give 3 cats the care you give 2 cats, go for it!

[Norma]

Hi JHolcomb, well that's just what we did. We brought 2 older (11 years) cats into a household with 3 established 3 & 4 year olds. Like I say, in the end they have learned to tolerate each other. The 3 original cats seem to socialize together and the 2 adopted ones (brother & sister but not littermates) tend to stay together. We kept the adopted ones in a spare bedroom for a couple of weeks. We would play with them several times a day and one of us would sleep in there. Then slowly we introduced them.

The only REAL TROUBLE we've had is our one Siamese (one of the original 3). She thinks she is queen bee and she dislikes one of the adopted ones and she picks on her from time to time--nothing serious. BUT every once in a while she urinates outside the litter box. I know it's because of the cat she doesn't like because she's been checked out medically and that was the vet's diagnosis...queen bee/top cat syndrome. Luckily she has only done it on hard surfaces so cleaning hasn't been a problem.

If you get another one, just be sure you have another litter box.
Good luck.

[eram]

DH and I have a 14 year old "princess" and thought that she needed a friend. Well, a a while ago ago, we got a male kitten who immediately let her know his presence. She was not pleased(she likes to lounge and sleep, he is full of energy!). We decided that our new kitty needed a playmate so we got another male kitty!!!

Flash forward 9months...we have our 14yr old 7lb,our 11month old 15lb, and our 7month 5lb all sitting on the couch or our bed together!!! The boys love each other, she tolerates them, and dh and I have extra love from all three of them!

[debg]

We have four cats! His (2), Mine (1), and Ours (1). When we got married we worried about our cats getting along. His 2 are brothers and best buddies. Mine is a bit spoiled ;) (nooooo...) but has learned to "tollerate" the others. After moving in together mine developed a way to release his anger ... spraying in the house, (agggghhh!). Good thing he's so cute and I love him so much. He's ruined our carpets. Anyway, 1-1/2 years ago we were adopted by a feral living under our deck. At 1st we left out a little food, then winter came and out came a blanket. Then one night we woke up to a raccoon vs. kitten fight so he graduated into the garage. Being that we have a kitty door into garage, he eventually wormed his way into the house. He is just now allowing me near (sometimes). Of course, I was the one who used to chase him out from under my couch with a broom!
My DH has always been his better friend. Anyway, he's been neutered and had liver problems. After $1,000 in surgery, we decided he was officially "ours!" What softies!

If I could, I would rescue them all. Everytime I see one I think how cute they are! So, I say, "THE MORE THE MERRIER!" :D

[Dewey]

I have 2 currently. The first one I adopted when she was 1 year old, that was 10 years ago. Last fall, a neighbor's cats both got knocked up by the same male (the two females were sisters) and had two litters just 3 days apart. I took two of the kittens, one from each litter (which makes them both half-sisters and cousins!). My older cat, Slinky, was not thrilled at first about the two new additions, but since the kittens had each other to play with, they mostly left Slinky alone. As they got older, Slinky learned to tolerate Ven and Crunch (the kittens) but never really warmed up to them. However, this Oct., a coyote killed Crunch (I cried for about 2 weeks), leaving Ven w/o her best friend and playmate. Since then, Slinky is slowly getting friendlier w/Ven. They can now sleep next to each other, eat out of the same bowl, and occasionally, they play together. My neighbor, who also got two kittens from the same litters, also had one killed by a coyote a week after mine was. She was worried that the remaining one was lonely, so I tried taking him in. After all, he is the brother of Ven, so we hoped they might remember each other. (We live on 36 acres, so although we are neighbors, the cats haven't seen each other since they left the litters.) Well, that was a huge mistake. My two cats hated the "intruder" and my neighbor's cat seemed to think he had been "catnapped"! We tried it for about 2 days, but it was too stressful on everyone involved, so Scooter went back to his original home. (Where he seems perfectly happy now.)

The moral to the story is: if bringing in a new cat, I think it is much easier to bring in a kitten, rather than a full grown cat. It is just much less threatening to the "social order" to bring in a kitten, which will naturally be the lowest one on the totem pole. I know there are older cats out there that accept other grown cats, but I think these are the exception.

[beejayw1]

Originally posted by Dewey
After all, he is the brother of Ven, so we hoped they might remember each other. (We live on 36 acres, so although we are neighbors, the cats haven't seen each other since they left the litters.) Well, that was a huge mistake. My two cats hated the "intruder" and my neighbor's cat seemed to think he had been "catnapped"! We tried it for about 2 days, but it was too stressful on everyone involved, so Scooter went back to his original home. (Where he seems perfectly happy now.)

The moral to the story is: if bringing in a new cat, I think it is much easier to bring in a kitten, rather than a full grown cat. It is just much less threatening to the "social order" to bring in a kitten, which will naturally be the lowest one on the totem pole. I know there are older cats out there that accept other grown cats, but I think these are the exception.

Actually, allowing for the occasional critter that will not accept newcomers, you can get newcomers to get along. It just takes about 2 weeks and some patience.

You put the newcomer into a room to itself (do go in and be friendly with it, etc., but keep it separate from the established animals). Use two child gates, one atop the other, so the cats can't get through it. Leave the door slightly cracked.

Rub a towel on the newcomer and leave it lying around the established cats' area. Do the same with your established cats and leave it with the newcomer. They'll smell and hear each other. There'll be growling and hissing at first.

After several days of this, if all is going well, open the door completely so they can see each other.

If things go well, take the child gates down after another week.

I've integrated grown up cats with young cats, grown up cats with grown up cats, and even introduced a dog into the household. The key is not to rush things, and to remember that both dogs and cats have pecking orders that must not be disturbed. If you play with or fuss over the newcomer, make sure you do more of it with the established ones.

[luv2cook]

...cats and two dogs. I originally had five but Cassie died in '99. Then the pecking order really took on a new twist. My youngest cat became the queen and my Ragdoll became my new Cassie - complete personality change.

This was a cat that went from friendly, pet me and I'll purr, to a cat that slept next to my head at night, sits on my lap ALL the time and sits on my desk in my office regularly - well, right now I don't have a desk - but you can follow along - only one more lousy week until my new floor!

I never realized what a grip cassie had on the household until she was gone...but I still miss her. She was so unique. It's sad it's been over two years and I still can't talk about her w/out my eyes getting teary...

[AZLorena]

Well....It looks like we might soon be getting a 5th. This weekend DH and I lost some dear friends to a car accident. Husband, wife and their baby daughter were killed. They left behind a dog, cat, and iguana. I think DH and I are going to take Puma in and add her to our feline menagerie. I will let you all know when/if we get her.

Lorena

[beejayw1]

Originally posted by AZLorena
Well....It looks like we might soon be getting a 5th. This weekend DH and I lost some dear friends to a car accident. Husband, wife and their baby daughter were killed

Lorena -

I am so sorry to hear of this. You must be reeling. One thing - your friends would be so happy to know that their dear friends kept their beloved pets in mind and are trying to give them homes.

You and DH are wonderful.

[AZLorena]

Thanks beejayw1,

I think we are going to try to go over to the house tonight to make friends with him. We have played with Puma lots before and he is a pretty friendly cat. He is also very patient and tolerant. Their sweet baby used to tug and pull on him like toddlers do. Our only concern is that Puma had been doing the indoor/outdoor thing lately. All of ours are indoor.

Lorena

[beejayw1]

Originally posted by AZLorena
Our only concern is that Puma had been doing the indoor/outdoor thing lately. All of ours are indoor.

Actually, if he's being integrated into an existing group, and that group is all indoors, I don't think he'll have any problem adjusting to being 100% indoors. Actually, I know of adopted feral cats who never looked back.

[AZLorena]

Diana,

That's great to hear. Family members are heading over now to see if they can find Puma....(he dashed out the door when they went over yesterday. There were a lot of reporters around the house so I am sure he went somewhere to hide) If they get him in the carrier, then we will bring him home tonight. I am going to get his room all ready. I am also having them grab a pillow from their bed so that he will have our friends' smells around him as we asimilate. He will stay isolated for about a week. We have done this a few times before. I will keep you updated.

Lorena

[AZLorena]

We went over last night to their house to get him. The day before he had been let outside and had not returned. I was really worried that we wouldn't see him again, because there had been reporters and lots of media around the house to try to catch anyone. I was sure that he was freaked for good. Anyway, we stayed to help go through some personal items with a couple of family members. We stayed much longer than we intended.....we just couldn't make ourselves leave. When we finally did get ready to leave, we all stepped outside the door to find him sitting on the outside rail....eating. We put him in the carrier and now have him at home. So far, so good. He growled a lot last night, but I have not heard a peep out of him yet this morning. I think this will be an okay transition.

Lorena

[beejayw1]

Originally posted by AZLorena
we all stepped outside the door to find him sitting on the outside rail....eating. We put him in the carrier and now have him at home. So far, so good. He growled a lot last night, but I have not heard a peep out of him yet this morning. I think this will be an okay transition.

Oh, I'm so glad! And you're doing such a good thing (and may you have years of enjoyment from Puma, and may he fit right in with your group!). I know I was worried about what would happen to my pets if I died suddenly, and I made arrangements (through kind friends). It's such a heartbreak to look at listings of pets in shelters and read over and over again that they are there (usually at an advanced age) because their owner died.

Keep us posted (if you think of it).