Managing a multi cat household can be difficult. Cats have a very complex social structure. The key to better managing your cats is to understand them better.
Adding a New Cat:
The most important part in adding a new cat into your home is a slow introduction. The best way to introduce a new cat is to seclude it in a spare bedroom where it has a litter box, food, and water. This will give the new cat time to adjust to your home as well as give your other cats time to accept their new house mate.
Socializing:
Cats are very social creatures. However, introduction should take place over a period of time. This ensures that the cats will get along. You can’t just assume because you love your new pet that the other animals will. Be watching for fights to occur. If one should happen, try using a spray bottle with water in it or a distracting noise to separate them. Never try to separate them by picking them up. After a fight has occurred, keep cats away from each other for an extended period of time. It’s a good idea to read the body language of your cats. It is easier to prevent a fight then to fix one. By correcting behavior before it happens, cats may learn to tolerate each other. Remember to think of the cats’ wellbeing. If they are more stressed by trying to get along, you may need to come up with a new strategy.
Space:
It is also important to understand how cats use space in a social structure. Not only do they use horizontal space, but also vertical. It is important to use cat trees or shelving to allow cats to use the vertical space of your home, making them more comfortable and happy. To eliminate overcrowding, it is a good guideline to not exceed one cat per number of rooms you have in your house.
Litter boxes:
All though cats use vertical space, they can also be quite dominate and controlling of certain parts of the house. That becomes important in regards to bathroom time. It is a good rule of thumb to have one more litter box than the number of cats you have (i.e. if you have two cats, you should have three litter boxes). These litter boxes should be kept in different, quiet areas of the house. Cats like a secluded area to use the bathroom. However, if you kept all the litter boxes together, it would make it easy for one cat to dominate the area and not allow the other cats to use the litter box. This causes stress for all involved and a big mess for you as the owner. Most the time this all can be avoided if litter boxes are spread throughout the house.
Feeding:
Feeding can be another issue that can result in one cat dominating as well. It is recommended that you feed cats separately, either in separate bowls, rooms, or on different vertical levels. This avoids fighting and causes less stress. Self-feeders may be easier on you as the owner however not only can it lead to overweight animals, but also not every cat may get there share.
Overall:
Cats can live happily in a multi cat environment as long as their needs are met. As their owner, it is important for you to recognize that cats are emotional and social creatures. Ensuring their needs are met is an important part in maintaining a stress-free environment in a multi-cat household.
