My opinion is that you're probably biting, but I'm sure many others will differ. My vet's theory is 500 sq ft per cat, and I haven't experienced anything to disprove that, but there are plenty of people with more cats in less space. However, I think your chances of success go down markedly if you don't have 500 sq ft and one separate room per cat.

 

Vertical space is a factor too. If there are lots of things to climb on, with different levels, that gives the cats more room.

 

I have four cats in about 800 sq. ft. (a small 2-bedroom house). I'll be moving out soon so the cats can have my bedroom, too.

I think as long as you have room for 2 or 3 litter boxes and a couple of cat trees, cats really don't take up a lot of room. They need places to look outside and to hide from each other.

 

I don't know if there is a particular space allotment, but I do think it has to do with how well the cats get along. If they get along well I think you can do more in a smaller space. If the cats don't like each other they definitely need enough room where they can have their separate space.

Another thought is if you have a lot of stuff that takes up a lot physical space in the apartment that might be a factor.

 

My opinion is that you're probably biting, but I'm sure many others will differ. My vet's theory is 500 sq ft per cat, and I haven't experienced anything to disprove that, but there are plenty of people with more cats in less space. However, I think your chances of success go down markedly if you don't have 500 sq ft and one separate room per cat.

Hey that means that I have 500 sq ft that's feeling lonely....I'm one cat short! I'll be making the rounds of the shelters tomorrow! :lol:

If the two cats you have get along really, really well and you have at least 2 bedrooms, room for another litter box and lots of vertical places for them then you'll probably be OK. If not, I'd say that there is risk involved.

 

In addition to space, another thing to think about is affordability. You should be confident that you will be able to financially provide decent food and vet care when you consider another cat.

 

yeah when we brought the little one home the my big cat hissed around him for about a week or so now they headbutt, clean each other and sleep together all the time now. i guess we'll just have a long chat about it and sleep on it for a bit. thanks for the advice

 

I guess I never factored in space, other then, can they get away from eachother if they want? Either on something, or under something, or in another room............I think too many cats is when you can't afford to vet/feed them.

 

I think it's all about how well the cats get along. Smokey and Farrah, the cats I had growing up, didn't get along well after Farrah became an adult (Smokey would generally hiss if Farrah got too close, except at meals and on very cold nights, when they managed to peacefully share my parents' bed). I think my parents' 1700-square-foot house was just about the right size for two non-friendly cats. (We probably could have gone to three if we really wanted, but certainly no more than that.)

If Misty and Stormy got along like Smokey and Farrah did then my 780-sq-ft apartment would be way too small for them both, let alone for more.

On the other hand, given that Misty and Stormy do get along I think my apartment is plenty big enough for a third cat... provided he got along with Misty and Stormy as well as they get along with each other. I think more than three would be a stretch no matter how much they liked each other.

One thing you might want to think about it maybe waiting for a bit. 5 months old is still a kitten and adult cats sometimes get along better with kittens than with other adults. It might be worth waiting until you're sure your older cat will still like the younger as an adult before deciding to get yourself into a third cat.

 

I think it's all about how well the cats get along. .

Of course, but that's not something one can predict.

 

Hmmmm. I have 13 cats right now. 11 are fosters. I just calculated. They each have 123 Sq ft! :wink: :wink: A Palin wink wink!
I go with how many can you afford to vet and provide premium food and give proper attention to and thats how many you should have!

 

I have.... a lot of cats.... :lol:
I think amount depends on as long as you can afford vetcare (general and emergency) good quaility food, and toys. Plus they have plenty of room to go off on their own, get along with eachother AND very importantly YOU are able to give each one individual attention and stimulation.

I have 13 permanent residents ranging in ages from 7 weeks to approx 8 years. I also have 8 foster kittens who are 7 weeks. Everyone gets along fabulously. I spend hours a day playing with them, and they always each get individual time. They are a very happy, calm, well adjusted bunch. Now I work from home, so I have a lot of time to spend with them. If I worked I would definately not have the amount i have now.
Except for their morning dry food, then it's pure carnage.. I swear they act like they hadn't been fed in days. "Carnage" and "Swarm" are the only words I can think of to describe it...

 

1 is enough for us. For the moment.