How to avoid tension in multi cat homes
Why is this important?
Well it goes without saying, you want your cats to be happy and content. Aggression can occur with cats even that get on well if there are not ample resources to go around. This includes resting places, feeding bowls and litter trays. Cats can feel stressed and stress can cause medical challenges. Cats have sharp claws and teeth and fights can occur between them.
How tension can occur
Cats, in the wild would have hunted and eaten in private. Therefore it can be quite unnatural and intimidating for many cats if they eat directly next to another cat. It can lead some cats to stress eat (eat very quickly) and in turn this can cause a cat to vomit. Some cats will eat another cats food while they are still eating it, and again tension can occur here. Therefore feeding cats in separate places and away from each other is a thoughtful and very sensible thing to do. In terms of water, again, keeping that separate from their bowl is imperative so that the smell of the food doesn’t contaminate the water. If a cat in the wild, hunted a mouse, then all the juice and blood from the mouse would have been on the floor, therefore clean and running water (from a water fountain for example) is important.
You can imagine how off putting and startling it is for someone to rush in on you while you go to the bathroom.. the same can occur for cats! A hooded litter tray can mean another cat can get inside while the cat is in there too which can be scary, stressful and painful. Therefore having at least 2 litter trays (or 4 if possible) will be a great way of reducing competition.
The sketch below is based on one cat so you’ll need double this depending on the amount of cats you have.
Ample scratching posts will allow a cat to mark and secrete their scent which can help them feel more secure.
Cat trees or cat friendly shelving again will help a cat feel safer if they can climb up to it and survey the area. A cat will always try to flee rather than fight so giving options to move away is sensible.
Other cats from outside
Neighbouring cats can be a source of stress for many cats. Avoid placing your cats food and water bowl adjacent to windows as this can worry cats.
A microchip activated cat flap is important so that neighbouring cats cannot come in from the outside (though it’s not necessarily always full proof if a cat gets behind another cat) while they are moving through it.
