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Loading...Can You Have Too Many Cats?
- a Care2 favorite by Nicolas, selected from petMD
- 724 comments
By Dr. Justine Lee, PetMD
Do I really need to answer this question? (And yes, I realize this blog will piss off people who own more than 6 cats!)
Unfortunately, I do.
Years ago, I had two women who brought their cat into the emergency room at the University of Pennsylvania. Both women reeked so badly of cat urine, I couldn’t even close the exam door due to my eyes burning from the ammonia smell. When I asked these women some questions about the cat’s environment, they couldn’t answer how many cats they had. I asked, “10? 20? 60? 100?” Their reply? “Over 100.”
These two women, who were cat hoarders, didn’t notice that their cat was ill until it was on death’s door, since they had so many in their “environment.” This cat was severely dehydrated, emaciated, and had a body condition score of 1 out of 9 (See Purina’s body scoring system that we veterinarians use to evaluate weight). This cat weighed just under five pounds (instead of nine), and was so lethargic it couldn’t even lift its head. (It ultimately died despite several days of hospitalization and life-saving care.)
So, can you imagine having so many cats that it prevents you from adequately being able to care for your pets?
Read more: Animal Rights, Behavior & Communication, Cats, Everyday Pet Care, Pet Health, Pets, Safety, cat health, hoarders, hoarding
Nicolas, selected from petMD
petMD is a leading online resource focused solely on the health and well-being of pets. The site maintains the world's largest pet health library, written and approved by a network of trusted veterinarians. petMD was founded to inspire pet owners to provide an ever-increasing quality of life for their pets and to connect pet owners with pet experts and other animal lovers. For more information, visit petMD.com.
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724 comments
+ add your ownwe have a 5 bedroom, 3 bath home, and I am a cat lover, but I would never want to fill these rooms with cats, cat urine, and cat feces. I have my one kitty, and may consider one more later on. But two is the ULTIMATE limit for me.
the most important think are neutered and spray the cats. They don't need to reproduce to be happy. If you have a big house and a lot of time, u can have more then 6 cats... if you have money to spend with them... if not, one or two cats are enough.
as long as you can keep track of them all and are able to meet all of their needs then it's up to you how many you have.
Never ever take on a cat--or any animal--if you cannot afford the responsibility. You need to see it as if they are your children or you don't deserve them. If you are just getting a pet because they are cute, or all your friends have one, or they are the latest fashion, you don't deserve them. If you can't afford to take them to the doctor when they're sick, or for booster updates, you don't deserve them. And if you can't or won't have them spayed (females) or neutered (males), then you really don't deserve to have them! And Susan S., there are these things and so much more to consider waaaay before the food and litter! And, NO! affording the food and litter alone doesn't give anyone freedom to have "all they want!" Responsibility!! Too many lack it and that is largely why there are so many crowded shelters world wide!!!
I currently have 17 cats. They are all rescued old cats some of which need regular vet treatment. Anyone taking on a cat should remember that unless you have the medical history of the cat, it should be blood tested vaccinated and neutured. If you cant afford any of these and future vet bills, then dont take a cat. They can be expensive when they get older. I have in the past had 29 cats, most of which made l9 years of age. Think before you buy. Go to a rescue centre, dont buy from breeders - in this recession there are lOO, s of l,000's of unwanted cats with heartbreaking stories. Think seriously
I had one and took another for company for my only one as a young couple had a litter of five and had no homes for them. Since then I have taken two more from the same young couple...different litters but the same parents. These young people can't be bothered to have their animals spayed. I have told them I can take no more. Four cats can have behavior problems. They get jealous too and vie for attention. The kitten drives the older ones to distraction. I love them all very much but with a small house enough is enough. Vet bills for spaying were very high. Each of the three extra cats from the young irresponsible couple brought fleas with them and I'm still trying to finally eradicate them in spite of a lot of money spent on sprays and topline etc.Extra costs for insurance , vaccinations, chipping and regular check ups!!! It's a personal decision but for me four is definitely the limit.
Zbyt wiele to tyle, że nie można sobie poradzić, ale kilka kotów - może być. Ważne, żeby były zadbane i syte.
I agree with Justine completely.
As long as you can afford all the food and litter you should have as many as you like. Realitistically though, I have 5, and that's a handful. It's a personal decision, but remember cats need attention as much as food and litter, and if you have to many you won't be able to give them all that they deserve.
as long is their healty and you can afford to feed them how many is too many?
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