If you have one cat and are considering a second, it may not feel like much of a transition.

Two cats don't fill much more space than one. The food cost increases but it is not that much more. Litter boxes are fine. It is still a manageable number to you. But uncontrolled, you may find that the number grows quickly.

You might see another cat that needs a home. If someone you know is relocating and has a cat that can't go, it might feel like an alright thing to do. If you start fostering kittens, you might keep one. Or more than one. Every time you rush home with another cat, the decision can feel very independent. Each cat will arrive with a story that justifies its unique circumstance.

At a certain point, the number begins to impact how you function at home. You suddenly need more litter boxes. The amount of fur grows it will last. If the cats get into a spat, you may exhaust your quiet spaces for keeping them separated. The food and vet costs grow.

Cleaning takes a little longer than it used to, and managing to interact adds a little more stress. If any one of the cats gets sick, it can spread quickly. You might even find yourself juggling cat care for the sick cat as well as caring for healthy cats.