Multi-cat households are a common source of chronic feline stress, and understanding cat social needs and resource management dramatically improves welfare in homes with multiple cats.
Multi-cat household stress is a pervasive and underrecognized welfare problem. Many owners assume that cats kept together from kittenhood are bonded and unstressed, missing subtle signs of social tension that cause chronic physiological stress. Stress-related cystitis, inappropriate elimination, and hiding are common manifestations. Resource management — adequate litter boxes, multiple feeding stations, elevated resting spaces, and escape routes — dramatically reduces competitive stress. Understanding which cats in a household are truly compatible versus merely coexisting is essential for household welfare assessment.