Cats are semi-solitary and do not naturally form stable social groups. Multi-cat households are a leading cause of chronic stress, marking behaviour, and reduced quality of life when poorly managed.
Multi-cat households create chronic welfare problems when cats' territorial and social needs are not carefully managed. Unlike dogs, cats are not obligate social animals — many prefer to be the sole cat in a household. When multiple cats must coexist, owners need to structure the environment to minimise competition: separate feeding areas, multiple litter trays, vertical space to allow cats to separate by height, and multiple exit routes from any room. Introducing cats gradually using scent-swapping before physical contact reduces aggression. Signs of chronic stress — hiding, reduced grooming, or urine marking — require veterinary and environmental assessment rather than punishment.