# How many cats? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 20, 2003, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats/169906 "2003-04-20T20:00:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2003, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats/169906/1 "2003-04-20T20:00:38Z")
Well, it’s been a year since my cat died, and I’m considering adopting another. If I do, it’ll have to be exclusively an inside cat. What concerns me is that I’m gone quite a lot, and I’m thinking that multiple kittens, even related ones, might be the way to go. All _will_ be “fixed” asap. I do have a good vet, so medical care is assured. Any advice as to how many (up to 3 or 4 or so), should I get them all at once, is taking an entire litter a good idea, and so on. Experienced cat lover replies would be especially appreciated. 🙂 Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![ladydisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@ladydisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladydisco)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2003, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats/169906/2 "2003-04-20T20:05:24Z")
The number of cats in a household should never be greater than the number of humans. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2003, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats/169906/3 "2003-04-20T20:17:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ladydisco \* > \*\*The number of cats in a household should never be greater than the number of humans. \*\* Really? Why is that? I’m not challenging your reply, just seeking more info. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2003, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats/169906/4 "2003-04-20T20:30:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mangeorge \* > \*\*Really? Why is that? I’m not challenging your reply, just seeking more info. \*\* Because then they think they might be able to take you if they all rush you at once. ---
**Author:** ![Hanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b3f665/32.png) [@Hanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hanna)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2003, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats/169906/5 "2003-04-20T20:44:29Z")
I suppose it depends on how many litterboxes you want to clean. I have one more litterboxes than cats, so I clean 4 litterboxes. I have one more cat than humans in my household, no problems. They try and take over once in awhile, but since we have three dogs too, their efforts are thwarted by the faithful, yet elderly, canines. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![McDuff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@McDuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/McDuff)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2003, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats/169906/6 "2003-04-20T21:07:02Z")
> [@](#): > > Really? Why is that? I’m not challenging your reply, just seeking more info. Because otherwise you’ll be the Crazy Old Lady Cat Person down the street and you’ll shout and wave your walking stick at kids as they run past your house blowing raspberries, and you’ll come back from the store one day with nothing except cat food and hair nets in your bag… _breathe_ and THEN where would you be, eh? ---
**Author:** ![McDuff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@McDuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/McDuff)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2003, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats/169906/7 "2003-04-20T21:16:47Z")
> [@](#): > > Really? Why is that? I’m not challenging your reply, just seeking more info. Because otherwise you’ll be the Crazy Old Lady Cat Person down the street and you’ll shout and wave your walking stick at kids as they run past your house blowing raspberries, and you’ll come back from the store one day with nothing except cat food and hair nets in your bag… _breathe_ and THEN where would you be, eh? ---
**Author:** ![McDuff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@McDuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/McDuff)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2003, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats/169906/8 "2003-04-20T21:19:26Z")
damned double post! ☹ ---
**Author:** ![lorinada](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b5e925/32.png) [@lorinada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorinada)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2003, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats/169906/9 "2003-04-20T21:28:00Z")
I love kitties! I fully agree that you should have more than one. Beyond that, though, depends only one how much time, effort and money you are willing to put into it. Endless litter boxes to clean, always dusting and vacuuming (behind and under the furniture, no matter how heavy - cuz that’s where all the hair gathers!) About four years ago I started feeding a stray, and it wasn’t long before I realized she was pregnant, so I brought her in to stay. She had three and we kept them all. Other times I have fostered cats, some of whom had litters, but with one exception they were always adopted out, but I still have experience with a lot of kittens from the same, or different litters, growing up together. The fact that they are littermates is not a good predictor of how they will get along. However, in my opinion, even if they don’t like each other they are still better with each other than alone. I would hope that you wouldn’t rule out a pair of adult cats, either. Or maybe even one of each! Or how 'bout this: one girl kitten, one boy kitten, one girl cat, one boy cat! Okay, I’m getting carried away here… ---
**Author:** ![Contrary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/db5fbb/32.png) [@Contrary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrary)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2003, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats/169906/10 "2003-04-20T21:46:00Z")
I’ve had as many as four kitties at one time (honestly, that was a bit much). Two kitties works really well together. Currently I have one kitty and a dog – the kitty apparently does not like other cats. I adopted her at a pet adoption event at our local PetSmart and that’s what her foster mom told me. I’ve not tested it myself. Good luck with your new kitty(ies). ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2003, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats/169906/11 "2003-04-20T21:46:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ladydisco \* > \*\*The number of cats in a household should never be greater than the number of humans. \*\* I’ve never fully considered our cat to human ratio before. It’s currently 3:3, but now what do we do about the big orange one that’s taken to hanging out on our front porch? He _knows_ where we live and he’s huge.:eek: ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2003, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats/169906/12 "2003-04-20T23:34:16Z")
The only disadvantage of littermates is that the bills come all in one go, all the vaccinations at one time for three or four cats can seriously cramp ones spending for that particular month. The trouble with just two cats is that one will die before the other, its all a bit sad, with three there will still be company. If you get two, you can add another say six months later so long as it is young enough not to upset the established order. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats/169906/13 "2003-04-21T02:47:04Z")
I’ve got two. One was planned and the other was an accident. Little Camry was about a month old when we found him in the wheel well of our car. He was so cute back then. He’s about 7 months now and is driving our main cat, Plunkette, out of his mind with all the jumping on the back and biting of the tail and pouncing from great heights. Two males may not be a good thing. We are hoping the removal of Camry’s delicate parts next week will calm his killer instincts. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats/169906/14 "2003-04-21T04:03:38Z")
I’ve had one through seven. Two is my preference for they can keep each other company without taking over the place. ---
**Author:** ![LifeOnWry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/96bed5/32.png) [@LifeOnWry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LifeOnWry)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats/169906/15 "2003-04-21T04:09:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by astro \* > \*\*Because then they think they might be able to take you if they all rush you at once. \*\* Be serious, **astro**. It’s common knowledge that ONE kittycat can easily outnumber three fully-grown humans 😛 The WryGuy is not a kitty person. He hates cats, quite frankly. The kid would cheerfully have twenty cats, I would cheerfully have ten. The WryGuy loves us very much, so we have three. The only downside to having many kitties (or really, many anythings) is the vet bills. And you oughta see me wrestle three cats, a Mastiff and two hooded rats into the car for a trip to the vet. ---
**Author:** ![dwc1970](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a183cd/32.png) [@dwc1970](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwc1970)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats/169906/16 "2003-04-21T04:35:37Z")
I have two cats which is enough for me. They are indoor cats, but they have plenty of space to play around in. One of them is nine years old. I’ve had him since he was a kitten. I had him for about a year before I got him a companion. Since I live alone he was stuck in the house by himself while I was at work or otherwise out of the house, and I felt he needed some company. This was a good move as he seemed to be happier and more content with the second cat. Unfortunately the second cat only lived about six years and he had kidney problems. About six months later I got another kitten (about two years old now) and he seems to get along with the older cat okay. ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats/169906/17 "2003-04-21T04:44:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ladydisco \* > \*\*The number of cats in a household should never be greater than the number of humans. \*\* Make that “The number of cats in a household should never be greater than the number of **laps** ” and I’ll agree! We have two cats, two laps, but somehow they always seem to want to be on the same one at the same time… perhaps the rule ought to be “The number of cats in a household should never exceed the maximum cat nursing capacity of any one of the occupants”. You need to find yourself a few placid, fully grown cats and drape them around your person to determine how many you can manage at any one time. ---
**Author:** ![Kallisti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f0a364/32.png) [@Kallisti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kallisti)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats/169906/18 "2003-04-21T04:47:02Z")
Many cats come into animal shelters together. Say some crazy old cat lady dies and five come in at once who have lived together their whole lives. It would be a wonderful thing for them to be adopted all together. Cats form attachments for one another as strongly as humans do. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats/169906/19 "2003-04-21T04:52:03Z")
Including kittens, I’ve had as many as a dozen cats at once but it’s usually only been one or two at a time. I’ve had my current little buddy, Sebastian, since I was about ten or so and he’s the only animal we’ve managed to hold onto over the years that hasn’t been petnapped, ran off, or killed. I’d like to have another one but we already have two dogs in addition to him so we’re all petted out at the moment. ---
**Author:** ![d\_redguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5fc32e/32.png) [@d\_redguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/d_redguy)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2003, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats/169906/20 "2003-04-21T06:16:24Z")
I live in a 3 cat:2 human ratio household. Two of them are brother (Zoe) and sister (Samantha), found by my wife before we met. They were **tiny** kittens, eyes not even open. She dropper fed them and raised them. Now she is “mommy” to them. They get along, well, like a brother and sister. If one was to go, the other would follow shortly I imagine. The third is “my” cat (Stella), picked up as an adult stray. They had some problems at first when we put them all together, but now they **mostly** leave each other alone. Well, Sammy and Stella like to get into it once in a while. 😛 But to the OP’s question, there was a time that Zoe and Sam had the run of **hyperjes** ’s apartment most of the time with little human interaction, as she spent a good deal of time at my place. They got along just fine. So in my experience, sibling cats would probably be the way to go. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-cats/169906.md?page=2)