If you love cats, you may find that it's all too easy to open your heart and your home to them. And as amazing as a cat or two (and sometimes more) can be, there is a point where you can have too much of a good thing.
Have you ever wondered how many cats is too many cats? When does being crazy about cats turn into being a crazy cat lady (or a crazy cat guy)?
There's no magic number or secret formula for figuring out how many cats a person should adopt. The answer will be different depending on your unique situation. When it comes to determining if you're taking on too many cats, there are a few questions you should answer.
The cat distribution system
The decision to adopt a cat is a serious one, but it's so easy to stop thinking and let your heart take over:
A stray shows up on your doorstep and you know you just need to give him a forever home. A friend's cat has kittens and those little fluffballs just do something to you. Or you drop off a donation at the local shelter and a slinky kitty brushes up against your leg and gives you a look that just captures your heart.
In each of these situations, it feels as though the cat “chooses” you. Do you surrender to your heart and take the feline in? It turns out, many people do, leading to the popular meme about the “cat distribution system.”
According to an ASPCA survey, 27% of adopted cats are found as strays compared to only 6% for dogs.
Additionally, 28% of cats are adopted from friends and relatives, and 31% from a shelter.
How many cats is too many? What vets say
Most veterinarians recommend no more than four to five cats in a household, with a hard cutoff of six cats. Why?
Veterinarians and veterinary behaviorists often see increased medical and behavioral problems when there are more than five cats in a household.
When it’s a good idea to adopt another cat
If you’re on the cusp of taking in another cat, consider the following positive factors in your decision making.
Time and availability
If you have a flexible schedule or work from home, you may have more time to handle cat introductions and care. It is crucial to introduce cats slowly, as doing it incorrectly can lead to lifelong fighting.
Shared responsibility
If you live with others who are equally committed to pet care, adding a cat can be more feasible. Trying to remember when to feed multiple cats or how often to clean the litter boxes is a big burden for one person to carry.
Are you considering adopting because your child wants another cat? Be sure to discuss the responsibilities involved with raising and caring for a cat. A child under the age of 13 (or older, in some cases) should not be left entirely in charge of caring for a cat. Instead, give your child one daily task or a couple weekly tasks related to the cat.
Current cats’ social needs
Some cats are more sociable and may benefit from a companion, while others may not. If you have a super playful cat or even a dog-like cat that often seems bored, you might see this as a sign to bring home a kitty sibling.
Spayed and neutered
Ensure all cats in the house are spayed and neutered: This reduces issues with marking, territorial disputes, and accidental pregnancy.
Signs that adding a new cat may not be a good idea
Equally important is to consider the potential negative effects of adding another cat to your household.
High number of current pets
A 2018 study conducted by the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy found that the single biggest reason people cited for rehoming (getting rid of) pets was too many animals in the home.
If the number of pets in your home is already difficult to manage, it may be a sign that adding one more is not the answer.
Energy levels and age
Older, calm cats may struggle with young, high-energy cats or kittens. Your first responsibility is to your current cat(s)—if you suspect that a new kitten will make their life miserable, don’t place that burden upon them. You might instead consider a middle-aged cat or even another senior cat in need of a home.
Attention required
While some cats are more high-maintenance than others, all cats need attention and play from time to time. If you’re busy or have a stressful job, adding another cat might overwhelm both you and your pets.
Work-from-home considerations
If you need a quiet, disturbance-free work environment, bringing another pet into the mix might add noise and distractions.
Family dynamics
A new baby is extremely time-consuming and disruptive to the household. If you have a baby, are pregnant, or are planning to start a family soon, it may not be fair to adopt another cat.
Existing cat dynamics
If your current cats are tightly bonded, a new cat could disrupt their relationship, leading to stress and possible behavioral issues.
5 things to consider before expanding your cat family
Many pet parents find that once they have two cats, adding a third doesn't change things dramatically as long as they have adequate space and resources—and the cats get along well.
Space requirements
There isn’t a strict rule for how much space cats need. Young or energetic cats may require more space to run and roam, while older or lazy cats may be more content with a smaller amount of space.
Some experts suggest a minimum of 18 square feet per cat, keeping in mind that cats should have access to vertical space (cat trees, wall shelves, window perches, etc.) as well as floor space.
The table below outlines the recommended maximum number of cats per average living space.
|
Living space size |
Recommended max number of cats |
|
Studio apartment (<600 sqft) |
1-2 |
|
1-bedroom apartment (600 sqft - 1000 sqft) |
2-3 |
|
Single family home (>1000 sqft) |
3-4 |
Many people report that in a single-family home, 6 cats is the absolute maximum before it becomes unmanageable. As vets report, medical and behavioral problems tend to arise with more than 5 cats in the home.
Financial considerations
Vet bills, food, cat litter, and other supplies add up.
- A standard vet visit for a healthy cat costs $80–$200.
- Treatment for cats with chronic conditions like diabetes or kidney disease costs $500+ per year.
- If you’re thinking of adopting a kitten, expect to pay $300–$600 for a spay or neuter procedure. (However, some shelters offer lower-cost and even free spay/neuter programs.)
Costs of cat food vary widely, while cat litter tends to become expensive in a multi-cat household. One way to save on cat litter in a multi-cat household is to invest in a self-cleaning litter box, which separates the dirty clumps and efficiently preserves the clean litter.
Legal restrictions
Some towns place limits on the number of cats that residents are allowed to have, so if your cat family could grow to be larger than one or two kitties, it's a good idea to check to see if there are any limitations where you live. Some homeowners' associations also have rules that govern the number of animals that are allowed.
Impact on current pets
Will a new cat be a benefit to your current cat(s), or a stressor? If you already have a harmonious group, a new addition might disrupt this.
The “Crazy Cat Lady” stereotype
Consider how many cats you feel comfortable managing without outside judgment. “Crazy cat lady” (or the male equivalent) is a more affectionate moniker than it once was, but it’s still worth considering your comfort level with that particular label.
So, should you adopt another cat?
We’ve listed many considerations above—but if you’re looking to really boil it down, ask yourself these three questions:
- Can I afford this animal?
- Can I provide good care and enrichment?
- Will this be beneficial for my current pets?
If the answer is “no” to any of these questions, then you probably shouldn’t adopt another cat.
Multi-cat household management tips
So, you’ve decided you are ready to take on another cat—congratulations! Although you’re already a capable cat parent, here are some tips for managing a multi-cat household.
Litter box needs
How many litter boxes should you have per cat? The rule for how many traditional litter boxes to have is n+1 litter boxes per cat, meaning you should have as many litter boxes as you have cats, plus one. So, if you have two cats you should have three litter boxes, and so on.
The exception is if you have a self-cleaning litter box. One Litter-Robot 4 works for up to four cats because it provides a clean bed of litter after every use.
Introducing new cats
How you introduce your cats sets the precedent of how they get along for the rest of their lives. (No pressure!) Keep in mind that this can take several weeks, but it’s always better to go slowly than to introduce cats too quickly and create lifelong fighting.
Follow these tips to avoid stress or conflict:
- Set up two home bases: Ideally these are separate rooms with closed doors for each cat, where the other cat can’t go. Each of these should include resting, feeding, water, and litter stations.
- Swap scents: Once you’ve set up your cats in their own space, consider introducing a towel with the other cat’s scent on it. After a day, once they’ve gotten used to it, consider rotating rooms/base stations for 1-2 hours a day.
- Try Feliway: This is a diffuser you can use throughout the house that mimics natural pheromones and has been shown to minimize stress during new cat introductions.
- Let the cats meet: Once your cats seem comfortable, allow them to meet through a cracked door or sniff under the bottom of the door. Reward good behavior immediately with treats! As the days progress and everything is going well, you can gradually open the door a few more inches.
Monitoring dynamics
Observe how your cats interact. Again, it might take weeks for cats to accept a new household member.
During interactions, watch for telltale signs that your cat is stressed or uncomfortable:
- Flattened ears
- Dilated pupils
- Holding the tail close to the body
- Growling
- Tail flicking or swishing
- Running away
- Freezing
- Hissing
- Swatting with claws out
If your cats still aren’t getting along, consult with a board-certified veterinary behaviorist as soon as possible to help identify and fix the problem.
When it’s okay to rehome a cat
If “a lot of cats” has officially become “too many cats,” you may be considering the painful decision to rehome. Let’s look at the ethical considerations of rehoming a cat along with what to do if you conclude it’s the right choice for your situation.
Personal well-being
If taking care of multiple cats is affecting your health or finances, it might be okay to rehome responsibly.
But first try:
- If the reason you’re considering rehoming is a serious allergy, work with your healthcare provider for treatment.
- If finances are a problem, you may want to look into local organizations that can supply free food to low-income pet parents. There may be places to seek out low-cost veterinary services or you may be able to arrange a payment plan with your veterinarian
Cats’ well-being
If one or more cats are unhappy in a crowded environment, finding a better fit for them might be best.
But first try:
- If the problem is behavioral, you can try taking advantage of some of the great cat behavior resources out there such as iCatCare.
- If your situation involves multiple cats, you could consider setting up a time-sharing situation where you divide up your home so each cat gets time with the humans.
Temporary situations
Sometimes, family, career, or housing changes make rehoming necessary, even for a short time. A compassionate rehoming plan is always preferable to pet abandonment.
But first try: Ask a friend or family member to take one or more of your cats until the situation resolves itself.
If you’ve tried everything and it’s clear that keeping your cat in your home will be more detrimental than finding them a better environment, rehoming may be the next step—but you should rehome a cat the right way.
No matter how many felines are right for your family, sharing your life with them can add an amazing amount of joy and laughter if you do it the right way. The decision to adopt should always be made with a level head.
A previous version of this artlce was authored by Kristen Levine Pet Living.
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