My fiance and I have 5 cats and it is getting very stressful for me. Any suggestions?

Question

For the first time since we've had all of them together-3 years- 3 of them have Upper Respiratory Infections. The vet bills for the past 2 days are outragious. We are getting ready to move to Chicago- probably into a smaller place. We currently live in a two bedroom house and also have 2 cockatiels. We love our cats dearly but I am getting a little bit overwhelmed.

I go to school full time and work part time and my fiance works full time. I feel like we just have too many animals. We absolutely love all of them but I am getting way too stressed between work/school/lack of money and crazy vet bills from them being sick. Does anyone have any suggestions?

For the first time since we've had all of them together-3 years- 3 of them have Upper Respiratory Infections. The vet bills for the past 2 days are outragious. We are getting ready to move to Chicago (not until August)- probably into a smaller place. We currently live in a two bedroom house with a full basement and also have 2 cockatiels. We love our cats dearly but I am getting a little bit overwhelmed. I realize that we have the responsibility to take care of them but at the same time I feel we will go broke if this continues.

I go to school full time and work part time and my fiance works full time. We rescued all of them. We absolutely love all of them but I am getting way too stressed between work/school/lack of money and crazy vet bills from them being sick. They have been sick starting this past weekend- all 3 have been to the vet and are on mediacation but I am so afraid that they will pass it on to the other 2 healthy cats. Any suggestions?

I do realize that it is our responisbility to take care of all of them. However, we will go broke if this continues. I am very afraid that the 3 that are sick will infect the other two. All three have been to the vet and are on medication. We aren't moving until August.

Sorry about adding the same details over and over- first time using this and didn't know it keep the old details!

Answer 1

I seriously can not BELIEVE that people are advising you to kill your cats because they have colds. That is unconscionable. URIs can get bad, but they are treatable and euthanasia is not an answer.

Only you can decide what you are able to handle. My roommate and I have had up to 6 cats, 2 dogs (40 lbs and 40 lbs), and a rabbit in a 2 bedroom apartment. Obviously, I don't think 5 cats and 2 birds are too many, at least in theory. But if it's too much for you, it's too much. If you can find a way to make things work, you should. I imagine you took in each of these animals with the expectation that it would be for their entire lives. If it wasn't with that expectation, you shouldn't have them anyway if you aren't committed to them. They deserve better. If your life circumstances have changed and you can't provide what they need any longer, it is better to find new homes for as many as necessary to get you to a comfortable number.

BTW, there are a couple of vet clinics in Chicago for low-income clients. You might want to call them to see if you can use their services.

Answer 2

You sound like a responsible pet owner and believe me, I know how hard this situation is. Is there anywhere you can leave them when you move, just till they get better? Ask at the vets, our vets have taken in animals when people can't keep them anymore. Also check with the animal shelters, see what they have to say. You might consider getting health insurance for them if you can afford it, it might make it somewhat cheaper.

I know how expensive and overwhelming this is, been there, done that. We had a $1000 vet bill over 2 months recently due to abscesses on both our cats from fights outdoors. We almost lost one and now he's an indoor cat. When they're sick it's never easy to decide what to do. I have also had one with a resp. infection before, so I know what that's like too, and as you already know, it's very contagious to other cats.

I hope this has been a little help to you. Best wishes to all of you in a difficult situation.

Answer 3

It's not an option when finances are a problem it is just easier and probably kinder, definitely cheaper, to put them to sleep.Respiratory problems are a really serious thing with cats so all benefit if you take the right action as breathing problems would be a cruel and painful affliction. You can ask the vet's opinion of your options but also be truthful re your finances. I suspect however that vets are biased as they probably would prefer you to keep coming back but they can be helpful.Check around for places you can give the cats too by phoning visiting..Furthermore your move to Chicago can be a reason for having a smaller family and starting off on a new foot but don't do everything by yourself get your partner's help, advice, support.......learn from this experience and keep the family small

Answer 4

7 animals are to over whelming. i can understand that. i have more than that and love every one of them and my vet bill well we wont go there. im also a student full time and work two part time jobs. the vet bills will go away and the infection will clear. try keeping the birds and cats seprate if possible cause the dust of the birds could have caused the problems. But cats are genrally happy in any place with food water and a little corner all thier own. a smaller place shouldnt be a problem it may just take some getting use to.

Answer 5

Well first let me go on record as saying you are hearing back from one of the worlds greatest "cat people" but hon to be honest, you have way too many cats...It also sounds like 3 of them may be ill and if you cant afford to get them vet attention they will like meet their demise but could contaminate the other "healthy" cats in the process. I love cats too and have had 3 at one time and I found that was more than enough to deal with at one time (just cleaning the litter box was becoming a full time job every day) I think you seriously need to consider whether you can go on with this arrangement when you move might be a good time to think about it more.good luck. I know its not easy but something has to be done soon.

Answer 6

Seems like your stress comes from not having enough time or money, especially with the upcoming move.

As for the stress/time, consult with your school counsellor to see if you can learn some coping or time management techniques. If your educational institution offers it, use their counselling services to come to a decision about rehoming your pets.

As for money, ask your vet about a multiple pet discount, and ask for extra medication in the event the two healthy cats catch it. It isn't much, but might save you the fee for another standard exam/visit.

You have six months to consider your move and situation - it's hard to say what is right for you, but moving will add to your stress level, and finding pet-friendly accomodation will also be difficult and expensive if you plan to rent, even short term until you find a house. In the event that you do decide to rehome, it may take months to find a suitable home for your pets.

Answer 7

It might sound really harsh, but you have to look at letting some, if not all, of them go. It would break my heart to have to do it with my animals, but their welfare has to be priority. If they are not getting the care they need, which is not your fault, they need to be somewhere they can get it.
If getting rid of them isn't an option, try to keep the sick ones isolated so they don't spread it around, find out if your fiance can book a week off work to make sure they're over it properly, and just look after them. Personally I would say 5 cats is too many for 2 bedrooms, but that's only my opinion. Good luck.

Answer 8

I think you are just stresseed about the move. I have 5 cats and a dog and Mine are healthy for the moment, they also are indoor cats. The birds are probably the reason you have the upper respitory infection int he cats. I would find homes for them. My cats and dog have traveled with me back and forth across this country 4 times and they have been great. birds don't travel well. the cats will get better and you will find a way to make it work. Don't get rid of your cats unless you just don't want them and then I would say what the heck is your problem, you got them and now you are giving them away? seriously, those birds are your biggest problem, poop everywhere, dander, disease causing cats to be ill.

Answer 9

that would be hard! i'm sorry, i don't have any good suggestions to help. my dear kitty had a URI recently and i had to pay about $400 to get him better (but that's also because he hates the vet & they have to knock him out to examine him!) so i feel your financial distress! my vet tried to work with me (cuz i always take in strays they try & cut me a break financially, with altering them & payment schedules) but thats rare (i also have a cats-only vet) maybe they can give you extra antibiotic for the URI? that's what mine did so that if my other two showed signs i could just give them the medicine without paying extra examination fees (just to call in and get the dose). but they didn't get it, thankfully. (and i think once they get it they can't get it again? the vet said that they may already have had it)
with so many cats, perhaps you should look into vet insurance?
i know it's tough, and i considered finding new homes for a couple of mine (at the same time the one had the URI, another was mutilating his tail & had to have surgery to amputate the tip) because i could not easily pay. suffice it to say, i managed paying the vet, but now i have to pay my credit cards! but the love they give is so worth it, and they are all better now!
good luck

Answer 10

This troubles me. In my opinion, you should love your pets as if they were your children. And what if you had 5 kids instead? It would be equally if not more stress. Why did you get so many cats in the first place? You have a moral responsibility to keep and care for these cats no matter what. If you cannot do this, try to find homes for the younger,healthier cats! Don't do anything stupid like putting them to sleep, you'll regret it! And for gods sake, don't get anymore pets! You will have to sacrifice things like eating out, entertainment, travelling, shopping, etc... to care for these poor cats because you are their Mommy!