Dogs in multi-pet households face welfare challenges from resource competition and social stress. Understanding canine social needs improves cohabitation welfare.
Multi-dog household welfare depends on understanding that dogs are not always naturally social with unfamiliar conspecifics and require appropriate resource provision. Resource competition creates chronic low-level stress that may not present as obvious aggression but measurably affects wellbeing. Simple management changes - separated feeding, multiple beds, individual attention - significantly improve welfare.