Cats can bring plenty of joy into our lives. They are fascinating to watch, love to play, and make you feel great when they want a cuddle. Due to this, it’s no surprise cat-lovers want to have as many cats as possible in their home.
However, there comes a point when cat ownership can not only become overwhelming but reduce the quality of life for your felines. But when is that tipping point? It’s not a simple answer so read on to find out more.
How Many Cats Are Too Many?
We thought we’d start by directly addressing the question. There is no “right” answer here, as there are many factors that go into how many cats you should have in your home. For some people one may be enough, for others having 10 or more wouldn’t be an issue.
A lot of it comes down to space but there are plenty of other factors to think about as well. There is no one rule to follow here. The real answer has much more to do with the quality of life for both you and your cats, rather than some arbitrary figure.
Simply put, if you and your cats are happy and healthy, you don’t have too many. But there is a point at which that can change. Here we look at the aspects you need to consider before either reducing your number of cats or adding more.
Do You Have Enough Space?
Space is the biggest consideration for a few reasons. Cats are territorial and like us humans, they need a space to call their own and a little privacy. Added to this, the smaller the space, the quicker waste, smell, and aggression can build up.
In a small apartment, having two cats is usually fine but any more and it can be hard to cater to their needs. A very rough rule of thumb is that you should have one room per cat. A larger house can easily accommodate several cats, as long as they have access to the space.
You want to give cats plenty of places to claim territory. More cats mean you need more scratching posts, climbing towers, and shelves/perches/windowsills. We humans like to have our own spaces, cats do too.
Financial Tipping Point
When it comes to day-to-day, one cat isn’t much of a financial burden. Food, litter, flea treatments, pet insurance, and toys aren’t usually too expensive. However, when multiplied, these costs can quickly become burdensome. It’s best to do a budget before adding more cats.
You also need to have a contingency. Emergency veterinary care can be expensive. You have to be capable of dealing with a financial emergency, such as several of your cats needing veterinary treatment in a short period of time.
The last thing you want is to not be able to care for your cats because you’ve financially outstretched yourself. If you struggle to provide for multiple cats financially, it’s a sign you have too many.
Can You Provide Enough Litter Boxes?
This links in with the space issue but deserves its own section. For cats, litter boxes aren’t just a place to remove waste. They are instinctual creatures and feel vulnerable during this time, which is why cats hide their poo. It’s to not give away their scent to predators.
You need to keep these instincts in mind when providing litter boxes. The rule of thumb is that you should provide one litter box per cat, plus one extra. If they can’t access their own litter box, or a spare, they are more likely to urinate or defecate outside of the litter box.
If a few of your cats start doing this, it can quickly become overwhelming to keep on top of. Unless you’re dedicated to providing enough litter boxes and cleaning them each day, you shouldn’t get any more cats.
Assessing Social Dynamics
Every cat has a unique personality. Not all of them are social and some can be more territorial than others. If there are issues over food, space, and privacy, this can lead to stress, fighting, and other behavioral issues, along with cat anxiety.
If you are already struggling to assess these social dynamics, then getting more cats would be unwise. It’s important to observe the behavior of each cat and see how they react in different circumstances.
If there is any hissing, growling, or fighting, look for solutions. Along with what we’ve already mentioned, these can include more feeding stations, more interaction, calming aids, and enrichment activities.
Other Key Factors
Another key factor is making sure you have enough time to stimulate your cat. Each cat should have around 15/20 minutes per day of active play. With multiple cats, this can add up to a lot of time which is too much of a commitment for many.
You also have to ensure you’re keeping on top of cleanliness. Along with changing litter boxes, you need to think about shedding, dander, and flea control. Cats care deeply about being clean, hence the constant grooming. Dirty environments can stress them out.
There can also be legal or contractual issues to consider. Local regulations or tenancy agreements may dictate how many cats you can have. Check your local municipality before adding more cats.
How to Know You’ve Reached Your Limit
Are you worried you have too many cats? There are many clear signs, such as struggling to keep up with the daily maintenance. You may also be feeling overwhelmed or stressed about the situation and the requirement of regular veterinary care.
With your cats, it’s important to observe any tension or aggression between them. You should also look for signs of happiness, or the lack of it, in your cats. However, it’s important to realize there are solutions if you sense overcrowding, and you’ll need an adjustment period if you’ve added a new cat.
So how many are too many? There isn’t a definitive answer. If you and your cats are happy, you shouldn’t feel guilty about having several cats. If you think you have the space and time to cater to the needs of more cats, feel free to add more. However, closely observe their behavior and make adjustments if necessary.
