How many is too many?

Hi...I thought I would post here, as I believed I would get some good opinions on this. I have 2 cats and 2 dogs. Live in town in a two story home. Have a private fenced in back yard (the 6 ft. tall privacy fence kind). My pets are: a black and white tuxedo cat female, spayed (was given to us), a purebred Blue British shorthair, neutered , a Boxer female, spayed and a Min. Poodle (spayed). All pets are very well taken care of...all have regular veterinary care...are fed high quality pet foods, have all the amenities that any critter could ask for. They all seem to get along well together for the most part...the cats tolerate each other...no fighting to speak of, though. My Boxer is a rescue dog from Northwoods Boxer Rescue in Minnesota, my tuxedo cat and my poodle were both given to me. My BSH is the only one that I purchased. I have a strong desire to help animals...and have been tossing around the idea of getting another pet. My husband says NOOOOOO! He said...enough is enough! I suppose he is right...but, this got me to thinking...is he right? I know I could provide a wonderful home for another needy soul out there...but, I don't want to become a 'collector' either (although...I certainly don't believe I am anywhere close to that...lol!)...I would like to know what you experienced folks think...and am curious to know...how many pets do you have...and what are your living quarters like? (big houses? in town? fenced in yards, etc?) Thanks in advance for all of your responses...Cindy

Well I drew the line at 7 cats...but just took in a starving kitten. Thinking I might have to give one up to a farm cuz he's just too darn aggressive, always chasing the other cats and wants to stay outside all the time anyway.

I don't think there's a magic number, it's how well the animals get along, and what you can afford. Eight cats is about one too many for me.

Joelle If you want to make God laugh, tell him what you are doing tomorrow Father Mike

Oh didn't answer your question. I live in a small town. I have eight cats now - all but one are strays and ferals I tamed. I live in a big two story house with a big attic and big basement. They are all fixed except for the weak kitten I took in, she's needs to regain her strength first. 1 cat never goes outside, one goes out rarely, the others go in an out during the day and come in at night. I have a big yard, but they do wander. Mostly just to the park across the street.

Joelle If you want to make God laugh, tell him what you are doing tomorrow Father Mike

I have 5 cats and 2 dogs, I live in the country BUT it's a rental with no fenced in yard. I'm about at my limit, though there's ALWAYS room at least temporarily for a very needy soul. As to how many is too many? When you can no longer provide enough space, time, food or medical attention. Those limits vary by person. If your husband has reached his limit, while I don't think he can make decisions for you, I think the feelings of all other household members are really important. If he's unhappy the animals will know it, you'll know it and everyone will be miserable.

My husband and I live with four cats in a 5 room (6 if you count the bathroom) duplex. No access to the backyard, although we do bring them out on the front lawn wearing their leashes. We would like to get a dog in the future but as we are not allowed to have one here, that will have to wait until we move one day.

Personally I would say too many is when it is no longer 'personal' - that you cannot give them each the individual attention they need, that is love as well as welfare kind of care. When you can no longer have a proper relationship with each one and get to know them.

Jules There are two respites from the miseries of life - music and cats.

I have 4 cats. I started with 2, which I adopted from a rescue group as kittens. DH adopted another one in a parking lot, and the 4th literally walked in one day off the street!

I thought we had a perfect house with 2 cats, and now we have a perfect house of 4 cats. I think that as long as the animals get along and aren't distressed, you don't have too many. (Of course, the human 'animal' might disagree. You don't want to distress him, either).

Donna Meowmie to Tigger, Peaches, DC, and Shy MTB to B1, EDD 4/30/02

story home. Have a private fenced in back yard (the 6 ft. tall privacy fence kind). My pets are: a black and white tuxedo cat female, spayed (was given to us), a purebred Blue British shorthair, neutered , a Boxer female, spayed and a Min. Poodle (spayed). All pets are very well taken care of...all have regular veterinary care...are fed high quality pet foods, have all the amenities that any critter could ask for. They all seem to get along well together for the most part...the cats tolerate each other...I have a strong desire to help animals...and have been tossing around the idea of getting another pet. My husband says NOOOOOO! He said ...enough is enough! I suppose he is right...but, this got me to thinking...is he right? I know I could provide a wonderful home for another needy soul out here...'>

I know of households that are happy with one pet, cat rescuers who foster cats in their house AND garage, as well as a family of 4 (including two teenagers) who live in a 2 bedroom apartment w/4 large dogs and 4 cats. Things are cramped, but they're happy. It sounds like you have the room to adopt another pet. If your husband is not willing to allow another pet, then you must consider that, too. He might be willing to allow an older cat - one more sedate - to join the family. Good luck.

I've got eleven, but most of them are unhandleable rescues who would otherwise have spent the rest of their lives in a cage, hence they don't rely on me for company. You may find it is much more difficult to add extra animals to a 'two's company' setup. If there's a shelter local to you you might be able to help out

Why not consider fostering an animal in need from a rescue org or shelter? A momcat with under-age kittens, for example. Husband may change his mind (or not) about adopting another animal; you get to help in a rescue effort. Everybody wins.

Sharon Talbert Friends of Campus Cats