How many animals is too many??

Question

If you keep all the animals, their dwelling spaces, and their over all environment clean, everyone has plenty of food, water, and toys, they can all get along, they're not noisy, they don't make messes all over, they get vet checkups regularly, they each have their own space so they wont freak out, they get plenty of time with someone who stays home all day with them, and your allergies are not effected by them, and your house doesn't smell, then what else would be wrong??

P.S. Ihave had friends and family members over-including judgmental parents, and they do not complain about the smell of the animals. I have 2 small dogs-around 10 Lbs each, i have one cat, 2 guinea pigs, and a small bird. My animals see the vet every 3 months for general check ups, i do keep the house clean, i stay home while my husband works so this is my way of keeping myself busy. My cat has his own bedroom to himself, well, he shares it with us, my dogs take up the whole house, but they're pretty much wherever we are, and my bird has it's cage in the same room as the guinea pigs but he is out of his cage for most of the day following me and the dogs around. Also, the guinea pigs have a play pen in a designated area so they're not locked up in a cage all day.

No i haven't had any complaints lol. My main reason for asking this was to try to figure out, even if they are well taken care of, that if they would all be ok if i adopted a child so long as the child was not allergic to them. If the child was not allergic to animals, would it be ok then to have more than one animal if you are planning on adopting. I know that biting, and allergens are an important issue. I can deal with that. I was just wondering about the number only.

Answer 1

The moment an animal is being neglected due to responsibilities due to too many pets, you have too many. If you have it all under control and everyone is happy, then you are fine if you are happy.

Answer 2

I don't think there is anything wrong with that. The animals are little companions. They are like potatoe chips--you never can have just one. I have 4 cats & 6 dogs right now. The cats are FIV+ and the dogs are dying from one thing or another. I guess that makes my house a pet hospice, but I figure if the animals are taken care of well by me, then who would say it was wrong of me to do this? These little animals have given their whole life for us, it is our responsibility to give them a good "ending time". People like to point the finger of guilt at anything that isn't the same as them, but who can really say what is right or wrong? Just do your best and don't listen to the people that say how many cats or dogs you have is too much.

Answer 3

In my opinion there is no perfect number. It is up to the individual. As long as your pets are well cared for and you spend plenty of time socializing with them, how many you own is up to you, not any one else.

I am currently owned by two dogs and three ferrets, but it's a revolving door around here. I take in any rescue that needs a temporary home. I don't care what other people think, as they do not live in my home, pay for, or take care of my animals.

Answer 4

I personally think if you can HONESTLY say they are all getting quality human interaction and are getting vet care then I don't see a reason to say a specific number is too many, however, there are laws stating the number of animals one is allowed to own depending on where you live. It is best to check with local government so you do not get in trouble.

Answer 5

Gee, do you have time for anything else? I love my pets too, but I've seen people just keep on collecting them, till they are literally snowed under. If you really dont have any problems, and your animals are as well cared for as you say, and you have enough money to get vet care for them all, and enough room for them to exercise, then, it's not a problem. Have you invited an unbiased person into your home, and asked them if they can smell the pets/ You may not smell it, cos you're used to it.

Answer 6

It's your opinion I have lots of pets and I never have problems.I have 13 pets and love and care for them all. The only thing that could go wrong is if your pets don't get along. Or they are extremely dependent on owner. If your are a Zoo keeper than that's another story.

Answer 7

How many are too many ? When the time to care for them or the money needed to keep them healthy becomes a problem. In your case it might become a problem with your husband when the animals start to infringe on "his space and life". (100 elephants in the house are 101 too many)

Answer 8

It sounds like you have it all together. I can't figure out why anyone would dare mind your business with such well taken care of pets and a clean house. Complaining under such circunstances is wanting to stick your nose into someone's business BADLY. You aren't the one at fault. Keep doing your thing.

Answer 9

Animals do need a clean environment, (appropriate to their species) plenty of food, water, toys, (if they like to play) a quiet, friendly envorinment, training is paramount for inside animals, regular vet checkups alleviate disease, adequate space is, of course, conducive to an animal's happiness, (and yours) a concerned care giver is important; and, of course those who are allergic need to be protected, along with anyone who is allergic and may enter the animal's space. House odors, whether from a pet, smoke, or body odor, will eliminate many visitors.

Ranchers, farmers, whether they are raising hogs, sheep, cattle, goats, catfish, etc., are cognizant of the importance of cleanliness and odors that may ensue from their animals. Owners of multiple indoor animals need to be aware of the odors emitted by theirs.

We all become accustomed to the "smells" of our surroundings; and, of course love our pets; but, if enough complaints are registered with state, county, or city officials, we may be called to answer those complaints.

Your question leads me to believe that someone has registered a complaint against you. If so, you may want to seek the advice of an attorney. State and local municipalities usually have statutes, ordinances, limiting the number of animals a resident can legally quarter "in their home".

Answer 10

First, some municipalities have limits on the number and type of animals you can have within their boundaries, so you need to check that out. (It's common to have a 3 dog limit, except for breeders, and a limit on livestock animals, etc)

Second, providing the animals you have and the number of animals you have are legal for where you live, then the limit is how many you can reasonably care for within the bounds you yourself outlined.

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