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Ask HN: should i get a second cat

4 points by dholowiski ↗ HN
I suspect this is a position many hn'ers are in- ice recently moved from my parents basement and my 7 year old cat is very lonely. Should infer a second cat to keep her company? Will this work? How many cats until you become the 'crazy cat guy' and what will the (theoretical) women i bring home think? I'd this a good life decision at 34? Should I get a gigantic dog instead?

7 comments

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noonespecial
In my experience it takes approximately 4 cats to create the same displacement as a person inside a residence. It takes only 0.6 large breed dogs.

How many people was your residence meant to hold? How do you feel about a roommate-and-a-half who needs you every time it has to poop? Go with the cats. You're good to at least 4 before you're crazy cat guy.

dholowiski
I'm in a two bedroom basement suite. So you're suggesting I could increase the feline population by up to 400% without adverse social effects? Honestly that seems a bit excessive to me. A roommate who can poop on their own is a definite bonus, although sharing the bathroom with up to 4 angry animals sounds a bit, stinky.
noonespecial
You did ask for the theoretical limit on crazy cat guy. I have no comment on the practical feline bearing capacity of any specific residence.

I just figured the borderline of crazy cat-ness is about the point when the cats displace on complete human relationship from your house/mind.

andymoe
I would prefer not to see pet related questions on hacker news but that's just me.

However my friend has three cats in a way too small apartment and I still don't consider him crazy cat guy. (But you are pushing it buddy)

noonespecial
And yet we discuss endlessly the music, food, chairs, windows, minute emacs config deltas, and color schemes with which we make ourselves productive. Lets not even start on the immense diaspora of hardware we obsess over.

A pet can be a hacking aid as much as any of these other things. Its hacker news. Its hacker life.

brudgers
Would the two cats receive equity equally or would the first cat receive more for coming up with the idea to live with you?

Keep in mind that you can always bring in a dog later, there's no reason to make it a cofounder.

laurasbadideas
Two cats doesn't make you a crazy cat guy -- in some ways, two cats are easier to care for than one. And if the cats like each other, they'll frolic and cuddle together, which the theoretical women you bring home may find adorable.