Anonymous wrote:Do you have room for 5 litter boxes?
And I don’t mean room, because obviously everyone has space for 5. I mean, could you properly hide/appropriately place 5 boxes?

You are supposed to have 1 per cat + 1.

NP We have five cats ( three were off the street) and have 3 kitty litters. We used to have six but, they only used the three. So, no it is recommended but, it is possible to get away with less.

Anonymous wrote:Who cares what other people think.

This. Get the cat and wear your dander proudly.

I have the resources, but not enough hands. It takes three of us to keep one old gal occupied with frequent pets, head scratches, toys, and opening doors. We’d need another three kids to add a second cat.

If there is a nice equilibrium among your three, I would let it be.

Right after college, I found myself single and living with my divorced mother and 4 cats (2 mine, 2 hers). Suffice it to say, my dating life was bleak. But, it sounds like you're hitched (and don't live with your mother), so get all the cats you want.

Are you single and childless?

You know your cats best. How would they react to a new cat being in the home? Do you have enough space for each of them to have their own "territory" and not feel stressed? How many litterboxes do you have? I know you say you love your current box situation but are you willing to add more boxes if the new one doesn't acclimate to it, or if the introduction of one more upsets the apple cart and some cats start acting picky and ornery about the box situation? Are you family members going to be okay with so many cats? There are always so many posts on here with people complaining about pee accidents, poop accidents, scratching, etc. And think about it for when the cats get older too; they may not have these problems now, but could as they get older; are you okay with this? Do you have the $$$ for all the vet bills and medical situations that might pop up?

Who cares what other people think.

My mom had two cats at one point. And she said there was no way in hell she'd take in anymore because otherwise she was worried people would start dropping off their strays and she'd become The Neighborhood Crazy Cat Lady.

I think 3 is a lot. Stop following rescue groups if you can't resist the sob stories. My cousin has taken in FIVE DOGS because she just can't say no. It's ridiculous and super expensive.

I have 4 cats - 1 that came to us as a kitten (a Facebook friend posted that it would be going to the shelter if she didn't find a home that day) when we had an elderly cat (who died not long after of cancer), the second I got as a playmate for the first and then we inherited the other 2 from my son who was in a situation in which he couldn't have pets. They all tolerate each other - my son's cats are littermates and are a bonded pair. I do let them all outside, which I think helps in the anxiety/marking department. I don't agree at all with whomever said more than 3 is hoarding - the cats use the litter boxes or outside and my house does not smell at all of cats. I do agree that you have to have a number of litterboxes. I have 4, but experts will tell you with 4 cats you should have 5. And I would make sure they're the bigger kind. My feeling is if you can afford it and you think your other cats will tolerate it, go for it! You're saving a life.

One cat is acceptable. Two cats is becoming excessive. Three cats suggests borderline craziness and four cats means you have entered official cat lady status.

I have five cats down from a high of 7 and I have two kids and a DH I will say you should personality test the new cat to make sure it gets along with the others I never had territorial protest pees but I do have some cats that don't get along and that's not fun As long as you have the space time and money it's nobody's business but yours

Go for it, OP!

Anonymous wrote:Only if you give them all the same name.

Only if that name is 'dinner-time'. That's the only one they hear anyway.

If you have the room, love, time and attention to add a 4th I would go for it.

It's good that you are giving yourself time to think about this and not rushing into it.