Now,before I start on this subject I do realise that I'm probably asking for advice on it in the worst possible place on the whole of the internet. It's just....well............I got my two in the summer having previously been a dog owner but having been without any animals for about ten years...........and I adore them.! The thing is,last night I (foolishly ) went on the website of the rescue where I got them from and.........there's a lovely tortie female on there but I know this wouldn't be sensible because;

-I'm not an experienced cat owner having only had these a few months and would be nervous about the whole "introductions" thing-my two came together and already knew each other so I didn't have to do that.

-I work long hours and have worries and pressures just now in my personal life which I won't go into but mention cos it's relevant....and 3 cats would be more work than two and two definitely means extra work than before they came.(Saying that I don't begrudge a minute of it and would not go back to being without them for the joy they bring far outweighs any work)

-Suppose the new cat doesn't get on with the other two? -I'm in a nice routine with my two and it could all get disrupted and I don't want them upset

-Cost

-I already keep the pet hair roller company in business,if I got a third cat they could open a subsidiary company with funds from me.

Oh dear.....I'm trying to set out the negatives here.........really trying.................

I haven't been able to resist. I've been trying to persuade my OH that we need a 3rd cat for a couple of weeks now. He says if I bring any more cats home, he'll take them straight back!

I think if it was up to me I would quit my job and have another 10 cats!

I've got three - it's the perfect number

Not helping.....sorry!

__________________
Harry: Ginger & White b. September 2002
Oscar: Black b. 7th May 2011
Kitty: Grey Tabby b. 7th May 2011

Our lovely cat family

resistance if futile!

Maybe knowing the following might help you to resist:

Cats are very territorial. This means the more you have, the less territory they can call their own. This can lead to stress and territorial disputes. This can in turn lead to marking territory which means they start spraying or pooing where they should not. This can be very upsetting for you.

I adore my cats and could not be without them, but I have too many. I now suffer the consequences of that. I tolerate it because I love them and I've made a commitment to them but as they pass on, I will not replace them. In future years, I will never have more than two cats maximum.

What you need to consider before choosing to take on another cat is whether you can cope if they do start marking.

__________________

The only thing stopping me at the moment is Molly!! I would hate to think she wouldn't get on with another cat, and this is her home as much as ours ....

__________________

I have 4, all of them have been unwanteds and fortunatly they have all settled with each other. This wasnt always the case. 3 of them came along when Polly was still with us, she was extremely territorial and we went through about 3 months of spray marking and aggression. It wasn't fun. Polly died about 3yrs ago and has been replaced with Tibbi, she turned up on the doorstep and never left. This time round apart from a few hisses and raised paws all is going good. Another consideration with having more cats is the cost. The 3 young ones are insured, my old girl Jess isn't (age). She's recovering from 2 illnesses and it's been extremely difficult trying to find £400 for the unexpected vets bill.

Yup! The vet bills. With 9 cats and a dog, I'm paying out £215 a month in health insurance.

__________________

I am the worst possible person to ask....but in this situation as you describe it I don't think I would upset the applecart.
I had 4 for years and Nellie the oldest was what kept me in check as she made it very clear that she hated all other cats ( barely tolerated her own offspring, the pther 3 in household) and was obviously jealous of my affections.
There is always a risk that they wont get on and that your happy household would be disrupted, maybe permanently.

__________________

Nellie Paddy Mitzy Milo Peggy Murphy

Millie and Monty, the White Devils!

I would love a friend for Oscar but hubby keeps saying no way! He says it wouldnt be fair on Oscar who is absolutely ruined to death, sometimes i think hes right but i would love another so he wasnt lonely!

__________________


http://www.facebook.com/?sk=lf#!/groups/353407657301/