Multi-cat households are common but often create chronic stress for cats due to resource competition and social incompatibility, resulting in hidden but significant welfare harms.
Chronic stress from social incompatibility in multi-cat households causes real welfare harm that is often invisible to owners. Cats experiencing resource competition or social tension may appear normal while experiencing significant psychological distress. The consequence - immune suppression, stress-related illness, and reduced quality of life - accumulates over years. Understanding that cats are not naturally social allows owners to make better decisions about household composition and resource provision.