Multi-cat households present unique welfare challenges as domestic cats are naturally semi-solitary and may experience chronic stress from forced cohabitation.
Cats in multi-cat households that experience chronic social stress show elevated cortisol, stress-related illness, and reduced quality of life even when no overt aggression is visible. Silent tension including avoidance and access restriction to resources causes welfare harm that owners often fail to recognise. Providing sufficient resources, space, and vertical territory is essential for multi-cat household welfare.