Living with other cats can be stressful for some felines

While the idea of giving your cat a feline friend might seem like a good one, not all cats enjoy the company of others. Unlike dogs, cats aren't pack animals. They need social interaction, but this doesn't mean they'll automatically get along with every other cat. In some cases, sharing their home can actually be a source of stress for one or both.

The stress caused by living with other cats doesn't always manifest as obvious signs like fighting or hissing. Sometimes, it might look like they're getting along fine, but underlying stress could still be present.

As you probably know, prolonged stress can have a negative impact on a cat's health, potentially leading to illness or behavioural issues. It's crucial to do what you can to minimise stress if you have more than one cat. Here are our top tips:

Separate food and water areas
Ensure there's no competition for food by providing multiple feeding stations. It's also important to have several water bowls available in different locations, not just next to each other.

Multiple litter trays
You should have at least one litter tray per cat, plus an extra one. For example, if you have two cats, aim for at least three litter trays. Place them in separate, quiet, and easily accessible locations around your home. This mimics a cat's natural instinct to avoid eliminating where others do.

Feliway
If you suspect one of your cats is feeling stressed by sharing their home, you could try Feliway. This product uses synthetic feline pheromones that mimic those released by a mother cat to her kittens, which can have a calming effect.

How cats react to living with others is very individual. Some adore feline company, while others are happier living alone. You know your cats best!