How many is too many cats?
We've all heard about the old lady with too many cats, however, how many cats are too many? Some say 2 some say 4 and other's have their home entirely filled with feline friends.
I did cover the financial cost in Monday's blog stated that throughout the course of a cats lifetime it will cost $10,000 in vet bills and care. Owning more than one cat when one can barely afford one seems in my opinion both financially and emotionally irresponsible.
Cats prefer to be independent and have a hard enough time adjusting to another new cat in the household, let alone more than 1. It's the nature of the beast.
Think of a house full of cats as a reality show full of girls, there's a lot of drama amongst the pack. There's a reason why they refer to girls as catty.
I can understand the need to have more than one cat as companionship. Cats are independent and very self sufficient. Having another cat makes up the difference in love whenever one cat(s) decides to indulge in his/her independence.
The rule of thumb according to some pet owners is that the affection and need of 1 dog is equivalent to 3 cats.
Multiple cats can often lead to anxiety amongst the pack leading to other health issues that otherwise wouldn't present with a single or pair of cats. It is possible that more than 1 cat can coexist; however, cats are more likely to have personality conflicts than dogs.
There are of course ways to make an ideal living situation for multiple cats:
Make sure that each cat has their own specific room or place to retreat from the other's.
When introducing a new cat to the family, keep him/her in a large crate until he/she is familiar and comfortable with the other cats and vice versa. Cats take up to a month, personality depending, to decided whether they are compatible or not.
In addition to the large vet bills, it will take more than an hour to clean up. The smell from accidental urination, you can kiss dinner parties and get togethers with human friends good-bye.
I often have many customers call who I like to refer to as "collectors" who think that they're doing a charitable cause by rescuing many cats and housing them. Although, admirable financially, emotionally and socially, it is best to leave the care to the shelters rather than taking the responsibility on your own.
I to have a soft heart as well, however, hear so many customers on pensions trying to rescue cats when they can't even take care of themselves. If you want to do your part, most shelters welcome donations in the form of volunteer, money and or toys or foods.
Luv Sheila & Freedom
5 Comments:
I find it interesting to read the comments people make about what to do with too many cats.
Yes...it would be wonderful if you found a stray and took it to the shelter and it got adoopted BUT as many of us know, it does not always work that way.
many people have multiple pets not by choice, but by circumstance. Shelters are so over populated that they are turning people away...then what?!
If you have a heart, you cannot dump the poor animal on the street and if no shelter will take it...you end up with another cat.
I would be willing to be a million dollars that i do not have, that most people with 5 or more cats or dogs, did not intentionally go out and say..ummm...how many animals can i bring home.
Because our shelters are full and the Government seems to think the stray animal population is not their problem, indivduals that are caring and good try to do it on their own.
For all those people who like to comment on a crazy cat lady...why don't you adopt one or 2 of her cats and she won't have as many!
I am also one of those people that have too many cats. There is no shelter that will take cats now,and thank goodness that our APL is overcrouded and will not take them. I know that all that will happen is they will end up putting that cat to sleep,so to me that is like signing their death warrent. Wish that I had some place to take most of these cats. I do have around 20 cats now!
If you can help me olease do
I am also one of those people that have too many cats. There is no shelter that will take cats now,and thank goodness that our APL is overcrouded and will not take them. I know that all that will happen is they will end up putting that cat to sleep,so to me that is like signing their death warrent. Wish that I had some place to take most of these cats. I do have around 20 cats now!
If you can help me olease do
I agree with you. I have a household with many cats and the one cat outdoors just had 5 kitties on Memorial Day Eve. Anyway,I know that I have too many pets(21 cats in all indoors)and I realize that most need to go to a place where they can be happy and run,however there is just no place around here.
My husband brought most of these cats home from work,I only had 1 ten years ago when I got married. My backyard is a Pet Cemetery now.
I really wish that there was a place I could take these cats where they could run. Most,since I cannot afford the vet bills have not even seen a vet,I don't want the cats to go to a shelter and then be put to sleep!
Most places also won't take a cat unless it has had it shots.
If anyone is reading this and they know of somewhere that is safe and humane in Ohio(Cleveland) and not the APL either,they will kill your pet after 3 days,please let me know,though most places also are full now.
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