# How many cats is the tipping point from cat lover to crazy cat collector? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 7, 2005, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats-is-the-tipping-point-from-cat-lover-to-crazy-cat-collector/293321 "2005-03-07T05:51:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Foible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Foible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foible)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2005, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats-is-the-tipping-point-from-cat-lover-to-crazy-cat-collector/293321/41 "2005-03-07T20:13:11Z")
> [@Trunk](#): > > Any think someone that has 13 cats sleeping on a bed doesn’t have some bits of fecal matter and urine also on the bed? If so, you might be delusional. Anybody sleeping on a bed has some bits of fecal matter and urine there too, with or without cats. I will not judge the cleanliness of the 13 cat owning poster’s house, I met a woman with a dozen dogs (give or take a couple) who had a cleaner house than most people. It’s all about how you manage it. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2005, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats-is-the-tipping-point-from-cat-lover-to-crazy-cat-collector/293321/42 "2005-03-07T20:27:34Z")
I wonder where this thread would go if it was about cat-lovers who are also foodies? ---
**Author:** ![chefjef](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e480ec/32.png) [@chefjef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chefjef)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2005, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats-is-the-tipping-point-from-cat-lover-to-crazy-cat-collector/293321/43 "2005-03-07T22:58:43Z")
> [@](#): > > It is all a simple equation. I think I saw this on the hit CBS show Numb3rs… That equation was hilarious – great math there. I have a step-family member who at one point had 11 cats and yes, she is crazy! They have their own apt (but she’s down a few). ! ---
**Author:** ![Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glory)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2005, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats-is-the-tipping-point-from-cat-lover-to-crazy-cat-collector/293321/44 "2005-03-07T23:18:15Z")
My parents have 10 cats. They live on about 5 acres in Kerrville, TX (outside of San Antonio) and the cats are indoor/outdoor. There is one litterbox inside (dumped twice a day), but the cats generally go outside to potty. The cats are healthy and absolutely adored. I think my parents are nuts, though. ---
**Author:** ![papergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/aca169/32.png) [@papergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/papergirl)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2005, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats-is-the-tipping-point-from-cat-lover-to-crazy-cat-collector/293321/45 "2005-03-07T23:41:52Z")
I have eight. But one of them is so totally cool (she lives exclusively in the bedroom, like a reclusive movie star) that we count her as a -3, so we figure we only technically have five. 😃 I don’t give a damn what anyone thinks of my house. It’s clean enough to meet my standards, my kids are healthy, my pets are healthy, and we’re happy. 8 cats, four dogs, one bird, four kids, one SO. Life is good. My former marriage counselor always theorized that it’s not the number of cats you own that make you a CCL, it’s the amount of cat-themed decorations and items of clothing you own. I like that theory. I’m not obsessive about my cats, I just like them a lot. My only complaint is that most of my cats are grey, and I wish we had some color variation. ---
**Author:** ![brickbacon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@brickbacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brickbacon)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats-is-the-tipping-point-from-cat-lover-to-crazy-cat-collector/293321/46 "2005-03-08T01:30:00Z")
4+ cats (with a few exceptions) is a clear sign of a mentally or emotionally unstable person. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats-is-the-tipping-point-from-cat-lover-to-crazy-cat-collector/293321/47 "2005-03-08T01:40:08Z")
I live in a family of four, and we have six cats. They have two litter boxes which are scooped several times a day and are kept in the laundry room, anyways. Other than cat hair on the furniture, and several cat toys, I would say it’s pretty clean. Of course, it also depends on what kind of situation you’re in. I know of a woman who lives on a farm and runs a rescue operation. She has about seven cats that she considers her own, but at any given time, there are about seventy animals on the property (she has three dogs for protection, along with a peacock, and she breeds horses as well). BUT, all of the animals are fixed (the kittens as soon as it can be safely done), the adopable cats are all separated (kittens in one room, sick cats in another area, new cats in yet another before they can be examined), etc. And she has a lot of volunteers. We’ve gotten four of our cats from her, and I would NOT call her a hoarder. Hoarders don’t get their animals fixed or give them their shots, and they also are very resistant to having sick animals put down. All of this woman’s own animals are fixed (except for the horses, obviously, and I would imagine the peacock), she gives them their shots herself, and she will, if need be, take cats to be given “kitty abortions”. She’s adamant about getting animals fixed-if you adopt a cat, she has a deal with some of the local vets that they will fix her animals for free if she takes in animals to foster. Her house isn’t Martha Stewart, but the cats are obviously taken care of, and all three of our cats from there\* are happy and healthy. It isn’t really “how many”, then, it’s how many plus how they’re taken care of, and if they’ll let people adopt their animals. \*The fourth cat was a kitten who was born with a disease and had to be put to sleep. ---
**Author:** ![pinkfreud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pinkfreud/32/17603_2.png) [@pinkfreud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkfreud)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats-is-the-tipping-point-from-cat-lover-to-crazy-cat-collector/293321/48 "2005-03-08T03:31:13Z")
This discussion reminds me of some people’s opinions about how many children a couple can have without being considered whackaloons. A couple who used to live next door to us had fourteen children. Yep, fourteen. One set of twins and twelve singletons. Someone who didn’t know them (especially if it were someone who doesn’t much like kids anyway) might assume that those kids must have been neglected. How could two parents possibly pay enough attention to that many kids? Well, I can’t tell you precisely how, but the kids’ needs were obviously met, and then some. Those were the happiest, healthiest, brightest, best behaved children you can imagine. Where cats are concerned, folks can jabber about neglect, abuse, excess, hygiene, and delusional tendencies, but in the end, all that really matters is this: are the cats happy and healthy? Are the owners happy and healthy? Is anyone outside the household being affected in any negative way? If the answer to the first two questions is “yes,” and the answer to the third is “no,” then it is nobody’s damned business how many cats a person has. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats-is-the-tipping-point-from-cat-lover-to-crazy-cat-collector/293321/49 "2005-03-08T04:44:44Z")
A friend on mine shares the cat-magnet disorder. She’s a pediatric nurse, and always has several ailing cats in her home-they somehow find her. Blind cats, deaf cats, cats with diabetes, crippled cats, she cares for them all, bless her heart and gives them a happy and clean home to live out their years. All critters that would have been put down or died from lack of care are happy and comfortable there. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats-is-the-tipping-point-from-cat-lover-to-crazy-cat-collector/293321/50 "2005-03-08T04:44:55Z")
A friend of mine shares the cat-magnet disorder. She’s a pediatric nurse, and always has several ailing cats in her home-they somehow find her. Blind cats, deaf cats, cats with diabetes, crippled cats, she cares for them all, bless her heart and gives them a happy and clean home to live out their years. All critters that would have been put down or died from lack of care are happy and comfortable there. ---
**Author:** ![Large\_Marge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/50afbb/32.png) [@Large\_Marge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Large_Marge)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats-is-the-tipping-point-from-cat-lover-to-crazy-cat-collector/293321/51 "2005-03-08T05:08:21Z")
> [@Trunk](#): > > \ > > Keep in mind that [animal hoarding](http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/p000425.html) is being classifed as a disorder, one where people can be delusional about the filth and the stench around them. And, it’s more common in unmarried women. > > \ **Trunk,** thanks for posting the link to that article. I read every word. It was compelling and so very, very sad. ---
**Author:** ![Large\_Marge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/50afbb/32.png) [@Large\_Marge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Large_Marge)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats-is-the-tipping-point-from-cat-lover-to-crazy-cat-collector/293321/52 "2005-03-08T05:22:46Z")
> [@pinkfreud](#): > > It doesn’t much matter to me whether or not you take my word for it that my cats’ needs are met. Regarding “bits of fecal matter and urine” on the bed, there are undoubtedly such “bits,” as is the case with a bed occupied by any living creatures. I try to be reasonably tidy, but I am not obsessed with living my life in a sanitized fashion that is totally free of contaminants. \ I’m not a neat freak or anything, but urine or fecal matter on your bed is truly disgusting. If you think that’s the norm, I think you’d better re-examine that. I’m not saying that you don’t care for your pets; I haven’t seen them or your house. What I’m saying is: If you think that having urine and fecal matter on your bed is OK, something is seriously wrong. Expecting one’s bed linens to be free of urine and fecal matter is not “living in a sanitized fashion.” ---
**Author:** ![Large\_Marge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/50afbb/32.png) [@Large\_Marge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Large_Marge)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats-is-the-tipping-point-from-cat-lover-to-crazy-cat-collector/293321/53 "2005-03-08T05:34:35Z")
> [@pinkfreud](#): > > This discussion reminds me of some people’s opinions about how many children a couple can have without being considered whackaloons. > > A couple who used to live next door to us had fourteen children. Yep, fourteen. One set of twins and twelve singletons. Someone who didn’t know them (especially if it were someone who doesn’t much like kids anyway) might assume that those kids must have been neglected. How could two parents possibly pay enough attention to that many kids? Well, I can’t tell you precisely how, but the kids’ needs were obviously met, and then some. Those were the happiest, healthiest, brightest, best behaved children you can imagine. > > Where cats are concerned, folks can jabber about neglect, abuse, excess, hygiene, and delusional tendencies, but in the end, all that really matters is this: are the cats happy and healthy? Are the owners happy and healthy? Is anyone outside the household being affected in any negative way? If the answer to the first two questions is “yes,” and the answer to the third is “no,” then it is nobody’s damned business how many cats a person has. Folks are “jabbering” about neglect because it happens, and it’s so very sad, because the animals can’t speak for themselves, can they? There are people out there who **do** have delusions about the condition of their pets and their ability to take care of them. I’m not saying you’re one of them. Did you read [this](http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/p000425.html) article? Why are you so defensive about it if your animals are cared for properly? ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats-is-the-tipping-point-from-cat-lover-to-crazy-cat-collector/293321/54 "2005-03-08T06:04:19Z")
I think it depends on how large the residence is, how many dirt boxes there are, how often they are changed, how often the cats are taken to the vet, how big the yard is (if the cats go outside), how dirty the house is, etc. etc. In a very small house, more than 3-4 cats might be too much. In a large house with lots of (frequently changed) dirtboxes, 10 cats might not be too bad. Still would be a lot of cats, but if nothing is too dirty and the cats are in good health (and taken to the vet regularly), I don’t think it’s so off the wall. ---
**Author:** ![pinkfreud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pinkfreud/32/17603_2.png) [@pinkfreud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkfreud)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats-is-the-tipping-point-from-cat-lover-to-crazy-cat-collector/293321/55 "2005-03-08T06:06:56Z")
OK, you got me. I’m a drooling looney whose bed is caked with inches of filth and who is doomed to be carted off to the rubber room any minute after the neighbors report the hideous howling of my starving, mangy brood of alleged pets. Gee, I feel better now that I’m not delusional. ---
**Author:** ![Large\_Marge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/50afbb/32.png) [@Large\_Marge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Large_Marge)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats-is-the-tipping-point-from-cat-lover-to-crazy-cat-collector/293321/56 "2005-03-08T06:16:05Z")
> [@pinkfreud](#): > > OK, you got me. I’m a drooling looney whose bed is caked with inches of filth and who is doomed to be carted off to the rubber room any minute after the neighbors report the hideous howling of my starving, mangy brood of alleged pets. > > Gee, I feel better now that I’m not delusional. Like I said, _defensive._ From what I have read, no one is calling you delusional or a bad pet owner. ---
**Author:** ![pinkfreud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pinkfreud/32/17603_2.png) [@pinkfreud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkfreud)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats-is-the-tipping-point-from-cat-lover-to-crazy-cat-collector/293321/57 "2005-03-08T06:31:15Z")
> [@Trunk](#): > > I’m also not going to take anyone’s word for it in this thread that they have X cats and keep a clean house and all the cats have their medical needs and nutrional needs adequately provided. > > The whole point of a disorder is that the person is delusional. > > Any think someone that has 13 cats sleeping on a bed doesn’t have some bits of fecal matter and urine also on the bed? If so, you might be delusional. Since I was the only person to mention having 13 cats, I assumed that this post referred to me. If not, well, I guess that’s one more delusion. This is a very prickly issue for me. The animal adoption agency with which my husband and I are affiliated has many volunteers who are kind-hearted, conscientious people, and they are commonly stereotyped as crackpots. It hurts. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats-is-the-tipping-point-from-cat-lover-to-crazy-cat-collector/293321/58 "2005-03-08T11:34:23Z")
> [@Large Marge](#): > > I’m not a neat freak or anything, but urine or fecal matter on your bed is truly disgusting. If you think that’s the norm, I think you’d better re-examine that. I’m not saying that you don’t care for your pets; I haven’t seen them or your house. What I’m saying is: If you think that having urine and fecal matter on your bed is OK, something is seriously wrong. > > Expecting one’s bed linens to be free of urine and fecal matter is not “living in a sanitized fashion.” If you honestly believe that your house is spotless and that your bed, where you spend eight hours a day rolling around, is completely clean and free of fecal particles, dried urine and semen droplets, you either have little idea how nasty even the cleanest surface is when you look at it closely enough or steamclean your bed every day after you get up. If there is no noticeable smell or discoloration and no one is getting sick, there’s no reason to worry. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats-is-the-tipping-point-from-cat-lover-to-crazy-cat-collector/293321/59 "2005-03-08T12:57:20Z")
[Some People ARE Crazy Cat Lovers…](http://www.nbc4.com/news/4259531/detail.html) annnddd… [Some people DEFINITELY are NOT!](http://www.nbc4.com/family/4258907/detail.html) 😉😃 ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats-is-the-tipping-point-from-cat-lover-to-crazy-cat-collector/293321/60 "2005-03-08T13:41:24Z")
[This lady](http://www.schlich.com/PetaCats.htm) lived in my hometown. So I figure if you’re not: buying houses 35 miles from your own residence solely to have a place for your cats, arrested twice, skipping out on your psych exam, and running around the country on the lam, you’re doing okay. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats-is-the-tipping-point-from-cat-lover-to-crazy-cat-collector/293321.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats-is-the-tipping-point-from-cat-lover-to-crazy-cat-collector/293321.md?page=4)