How many pets is too many?

United States
October 27, 2006 3:05pm CST
My friend has two cats, two turtles, three fish, a bird, a millipede and a boyfriend in a tiny apartment. How many pets is too many? What makes the difference?
2 people like this
32 responses
• United States
27 Oct 06
One! I say this because my children always want a million pets and I am always the one who ends up doing the tending and caring! I DO love our dog, though, and he is worth all the effort. Most days, that is!
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Oct 06
But you wouldn't want an entire zoo!
• United States
28 Oct 06
No, never a zoo! Though some days my children's behavior makes me think I LIVE in a zoo! Ha!
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Oct 06
Between my husband and kiddo, my house is a zoo sometimes too. The cat seems less of a contributor.
@ferryy (1082)
• Indonesia
30 Oct 06
i don't have
1 person likes this
• United States
30 Oct 06
If you were to have pets, how many would be too many?
@ngty69 (971)
• India
30 Oct 06
Can't Tell - Can't Tell
I don't know. Because I don't have even one.
1 person likes this
• United States
30 Oct 06
Nice question mark. I guess 0 is the right number for you :-)
@xxxtreme (319)
• Philippines
30 Oct 06
10
1 person likes this
• United States
30 Oct 06
ten...always? Even in a 400 sq. ft. apartment
• United States
30 Oct 06
Cat Hoarder - You have too many pets when you can't properly care for them or your family, self, and home. If you are going to have a pet, you need to be able to meet all of their basic needs, clean up after them and give them the love and attention that they deserve. I see so many animal hoarders on shows like Animal Cops who claim they love their animals but it's obvious that they don't even provide them with their basic needs. It's really sad when you see people who have allowed their homes to be over populated with animals to the point where they can't even take a step without walking in animal waste. THAT is definitely too many animals!
You have too many pets when you can't properly care for them or your family, self, and home. If you are going to have a pet, you need to be able to meet all of their basic needs, clean up after them and give them the love and attention that they deserve. I see so many animal hoarders on shows like Animal Cops who claim they love their animals but it's obvious that they don't even provide them with their basic needs. It's really sad when you see people who have allowed their homes to be over populated with animals to the point where they can't even take a step without walking in animal waste. THAT is definitely too many animals!
• United States
30 Oct 06
Ew! Yuck! That definitely puts the few animals my friend has into perspective. She is very good at caring for them all.
• India
30 Oct 06
Only Fish
1 person likes this
• United States
30 Oct 06
so, it is okay to have a ton of fish but no other pets at all?
@bhchy1 (6047)
• United States
30 Oct 06
Too many is when you have more than you have the time and energy to care for on a daily basis. I have two cats.....that way if I am not around to give them attention...thay have each other. No one even a pet should be alone in life.
1 person likes this
• United States
30 Oct 06
*nods* Pets are good at keeping each other company.
@remaster74 (4064)
• Greece
29 Oct 06
my cats - Wanna lent some to your friend? I have more
I think you overreact. I would do probably the same if I were you. Having those poor animals stuffed up in a tiny apartement with a boyfriend? No way! I think I'm gonna press charges. Funny or not, if the animals were on the street or somewhere else, they would probably be miserable. I think your friend loves animals. So let her have as many as she likes.
1 person likes this
• United States
29 Oct 06
I think she has plenty of love to give.
@carmat (2849)
• Canada
29 Oct 06
In my opinion 1 is too many, but I'm not a pet person
1 person likes this
• United States
29 Oct 06
What about kids tehn?
@Alxntj375 (168)
• United States
30 Oct 06
1 for me my kids are enough work! But lots of my friends have many so it depends on the person.
1 person likes this
• United States
30 Oct 06
I agree. I think the time, number of people (and their ages), physical space, and types of pets should all be taken into consideration.
@locolady (374)
• Canada
30 Oct 06
you can never have too many pets, has a cat,dog,11 fish tanks,and 7 turtles
1 person likes this
• United States
30 Oct 06
7 turtles? what size aquarium do you have?
• India
28 Oct 06
i feel. even one pet such as a dog is pretty engaging...more than 1 u cant do justice to them....so 2 is too many....
1 person likes this
• United States
29 Oct 06
But not all pets demand as much attention as a dog does. And I do think part of the idea of having at least an additional cat and turtle is so that they can keep each other company when the owners are busy.
• United States
30 Oct 06
I think you have too many pets when you are unable to physically and financially take proper care of them all. That includes feeding, grooming, regular visits to the vet, up to date licensing, shots etc. If it is taking food out of your families mouth, then you have too many. If they do not have the proper space to get exercise and live in harmoney, you have too many. Since these things are mostly dependant upon the health and temperment of the animals involved, you can have quite a few pets before you hit the too many mark.. well. if you have financial means too..
1 person likes this
• United States
30 Oct 06
*nods* My friend's furry family seems to be in balance (except maybe the cats jumping for the bird).
@burgoonster (3757)
• Canada
29 Oct 06
No That Is Not Much There All Small
1 person likes this
• United States
29 Oct 06
I think for her since she has no kids and has lots of attention to give, it is fine. And you are right size of the pets does make a big difference.
@DeenaD (2684)
• United States
28 Oct 06
I'm not a pet person. In my opinion, one pet is too many!
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Oct 06
For some folks I agree. Kind of like kids.
@harry_ndhuz (1273)
• Indonesia
28 Oct 06
Yes, like a zoo... lol
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Oct 06
Thanks for the response. It FEELS like a zoo.
@zuri25 (2125)
• United States
28 Oct 06
When the number of pets becomes too much to take care of. Pets are great, but they need lots of special attention. Be responsible!
• United States
28 Oct 06
How much love does a millipede need though, really?
• United States
28 Oct 06
Two of all these?. Imagine they are male and female,they get on heat at the same time and God help your friend the cats have 10 kittens. He is in trouble. He will have to vacate the house for the pets. To me having two pets of each not knowing where to dispose of them during breeding period is too, too many.
• United States
29 Oct 06
I'm fairly certain they have taken care of all of the breeding worries.
@Gianny (202)
• Romania
28 Oct 06
In my opinion your friend is a freek.. one animal in the house is nice.. tow.. is god but from three to "zoo" is to much.. my opinin ....
1 person likes this
• United States
29 Oct 06
and in a small apartment?
@RebeccaD (30)
• United States
28 Oct 06
Well, I have 2 dogs, a cat and a rabbit. I love them all, but hate the constant clean up. My sister on the other hand has 2 turtles crawling around her house, 2 dogs, 4 cats, a tortoise, an albino frog, some fish and about a million birds. Which she breeds. That is too many. You have to watch where you walk for fear of stepping on something! Oh yes, she also has several lizards!
1 person likes this
• United States
29 Oct 06
Do either you or your sister have kids?