Fourth cat?

[Anonymous]

Anyone have four cats? How is it working out for you? My wife is obsessed with cats and we currently have three, which I think is plenty. She wants a fourth for her 40th birthday. It's all she wants, and she wants it desperately. On the one hand I obviously want to make her happy but also four cats just seems insane. So wondering for all the other crazy cat people out there, is there much difference when you add one more to make it four?

[Anonymous]

The big question in my mind is the reaction of the other three cats, especially if they or even two of them are bonded and might gang up on the newcomer.

More generally, while I’d consider having four cats, I think it is starting to push the envelope. And once you have four, we’ll, five isn’t that much, right? And so on.

[Anonymous]

No. How is her mental health generally? Does she tend to hoard?

I would suggest she foster cats. I have one dog, and foster a rotating cast of puppies that are then adopted out. It's great, because it adds interest to my life, gives companionship to my own dog, but I don't need to care for these animals permanently - so I do not foster at times I plan to be on vacation. I've even fostered pregnant dogs and cared for their litters of puppies, which is incredibly rewarding, but also a lot of work. So I suggest she look into that, as long as she can promise none of the fosters will ever be adopted into your home.

[Anonymous]

We're cat obsessed, and have three, and frankly, it's one too many. But my opinion isn't relevant.

A pet is not a birthday gift. A pet is a careful decision that all adults in the household must be on board with. You're not on board, so that's a no.

[Anonymous]

Do not do it. Four cats would make me wonder about mental illness.

[Anonymous]

We have four. We had three for a long time then our 16 year old cat died, and everyone (but me) wanted another. We got suckered into taking a pair, and it's been fine. Really not that big of a difference between two (or three) and four, other than additional litterbox cleaning and the extra annual vet bills, provided they have enough room to spread out. They get alone fine for the most part. They're rarely in the same room at once, but it's a little disconcerting when they are!

[Anonymous]

I think she should foster cats/kittens. We once had five cats, only because that's how many showed up at the house, but it was a lot of work.

[Anonymous]

gross

[Anonymous]

I am sending this link to my husband to show him how much worse it could get.

- Crazy Cat Lady with only 2

[Anonymous]

My DH and I made a pact that we'd never have more animals in the house than we have adults. We have one dog, one beta fish, and four chickens (that are OUTSIDE the house).

[Anonymous]

You should check with your county on legal limits. Where I live there's a maximum of 3 cats per household

[Anonymous]

+1 for fostering. It seems like she's using cats to compensate for something else. Maybe fostering can fill the gap and put her passion to good use and you won't have a permanent addition to the household.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're cat obsessed, and have three, and frankly, it's one too many. But my opinion isn't relevant.

A pet is not a birthday gift. A pet is a careful decision that all adults in the household must be on board with. You're not on board, so that's a no.

Oh, this is a good answer!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You should check with your county on legal limits. Where I live there's a maximum of 3 cats per household

is there a limit in Fairfax County?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You should check with your county on legal limits. Where I live there's a maximum of 3 cats per household

is there a limit in Fairfax County?

I don't know, why don't you look it up?