Resource competition in multi-cat households causes chronic stress. Understanding spatial and resource management significantly improves welfare for all cats in shared homes.
Chronic social tension in multi-cat households is a significant and widely underrecognized welfare problem. Cats that appear to coexist peacefully may still experience chronic stress from resource competition and subtle social pressure. Welfare outcomes in multi-cat homes depend heavily on appropriate resource provision and spatial management. The first sign of tension is often inappropriate elimination or overgrooming rather than overt conflict.