We have some crazy clients, so, poll time. How many is TOO many?

[spookychick13]

At one point does one become a hoarder?

Is it when you have more pets than you can care for, or is there a concrete number?

Not to be offensive, but we usually joke that anyone with more than four indoor cats is a Crazy Cat Lady or well on their way to being one.

So what's your opinion?

Personally, two dogs, a bird and a horse is just enough for me. Any more and there is no way I'd have time to give them each the individual care they need. Keep in mind bird = HIGH MAINTENANCE.

[whiteleo]

Two B.T's and 2 cats one very senior is my limit. Working full time with a husband who is retired but has two other jobs is questionable for the time the dogs get now. They so look forward to my days off for our walks down at the harbor....

Too many is when you don't invite people over to your house because you know your house smells from too many litter boxes or from cats peeing or pooing where they shouldn't be!

[Sprocket]

I use a general rule, if you have more than 4 dogs per adult in your house, can not properly care for them or provide for their individual needs, then you may be a hoarder.

We are tapped out at 3 dogs in this house.

[IslandPaws4Raw]

I have often asked myself this question since I am a sucker and could easily end up with more than I can manage. Thanks to the hubby I can keep myself in check!

I think as long as the person has the capacity and the resources, they can have as many as they want. Personally three dogs is my limit to care for comfortably, but I have friends and family members that cope with MUCH more. My sister has three cats, seven dogs ( all indoors) and two young boys. And yes her house can become chaotic, but all animals are well cared for and happy.

In all seriousness though, having say 10 or more pets does not make someone a hoarder.

[wags]

While I was taking a walk at one time a while back, ran into the nicest person. While walking with my daughter the four dogs she asked are they all yours, a very common question and I said yes I am not a dog walker haha! She said she volunteered at the humane society to walk and feed dogs ect and she said they say there if you have more than five your a hoarder. but then again that's what they say! I think for me four is my limit. Now as for kids/children, I would say for me five! Because I have the five!

[GoingPostal]

I think if you have time and money to take care of your animals then I don't have a problem with it. Currently I have 3 dogs, 2 ferrets, 1 cat, iguana, ball python and several fish tanks, we've had up to 7 ferrets at once and that was a ton of work and expense, I wouldn't do it again but we made it. I don't know how people have time for a ton of dogs but maybe that's because I can't really walk or exercise mine together so 3 dogs is really 3x the work and being high energy dogs it takes quite a workout if I want some piece and quiet. But really depends on how you spend your time, if you are willing to spend hours with your animals instead of on your butt or out with your friends.

[swolek]

There's no concrete number, it depends on the person. It doesn't matter to me how many pets someone has provided they have the time, money, and space to care for them properly. After all, there are people who take horrible care of their single pet while others might have 8 cats that get amazing care.

How many pets is good for me has changed as time went on. I used to have a lot more pets but most were quite small (hamsters, spiny mice, degus, frogs, newts, etc.) and needed little maintenance. In general, I've found that more than three dogs is too much long-term (and two is ideal if I'm on my own with no help). I used to have four rabbits at one time and that was crazy...now I stick to a maximum of two rabbits (although I sometimes foster). When one of my current two passes, I won't be getting another. I'm hoping to always have a bonded pair OR a single bunny...not this current craziness of two rabbits that don't get along. The reptiles take up so little of my time and money that I don't worry about numbers. I currently have two snakes, a gecko, and a turtle. Combined they take up less of my resources than a single rabbit :p. The fish are also pretty easy but the coral reef tanks can be very expensive and time-consuming so I limit myself to one at a time (I did have two for a while but one was tiny and limited to coral $10 or under).

[twoisplenty]

I agree that as long as a person has the financial means, adequate space and time there should not be a limit. I currently have 4 boxers, they all live in my home in a cage free environment. They are spoiled rotten and lack nothing :) We have a nice fenced in backyard for them thats 100' x 200' and even with that space I feel they need more room so daily we all go for a nice leash free walk through 400 acres of open farm fields. Lucky for me I work from home so I have plenty of time for my beasties :) I think my personal limit however is 5. My house is only so big, lol.

[chowder]

I don't think there's a limit as long as they are happy, well fed, and healthy. Quite a few years ago I had 4 dogs, 3 cats, 2 toddlers, and babysat a few more kids. I stayed at home with them all and at that time, it was fine for me.

Then when we were traveling in the motor home, we just had the two dogs. In that situation, two was plenty and all we could handle in that space.

Now that I am back in school full time and I'm not home quite a lot, I think I am currently at the right place with the dogs I have. But, in the future I could definitely see myself with 4 dogs and a bunch of cats again. Just as soon as I get my farm in Idaho!

[RedneckCowgirl]

Right now, we have 4 adult cats, 3 dogs and 3 horses. We were at a point up until about 2 weeks ago where we had two litters of kittens and thing had gotten out of hand. We couldn't keep up with the mess anymore. We found everyone homes and things got better. We are now at a more controllable number. I would be lying if I told anyone that I don't have hoarding tendencies. With lots of help from friends and family it is usually kept under control, but my dad was killed in a motorcycle accident and I turned to animals as I was home alone a lot. I watch shows like Animal Hoarders and would think to myself "Well, our house isn't that bad". I was in denial. Its been a rough road but I'm getting it more and more under control. Don't get me wrong, my animals ALWAYS have had the best care, no fleas, clean and well socialized, but our house was a wreck. Everything is getting better, slowly but surely.

Sorry for the longish rambling post. I've never let it out before, but its relieving to come out and say it.