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Like their wild ancestors, domestic cats have the capacity to form social groups, but they do not need to do so. There is no evidence that singly housed cats experience stress related health or behavioural problems. However, stress related behaviour problems such as indoor spray marking<ref>Pryor, P.A., Hart, B.L., Bain, M.J., Cliff, K.D. (2001) Causes of urine marking in cats and effects of environmental management on frequency of marking. ''JAVMA''. 219, 1709-1713.</ref> are more likely in multi-cat households. Greater levels of conflict are observed in multi-cat households, which is identified as an underlying factor in stress related health problems such as feline idiopathic cystitis <ref>Westropp, J.L., Buffinton, C.A. (2004) Feline idiopathic cystitis: current understanding of pathophysiology and management. ''Vet Clin Small Anim''. 34, 1043-1055.</ref>, which may also be more common in multi-cat households.

Like their wild ancestors, domestic cats have the capacity to form social groups, but they do not need to do so. There is no evidence that singly housed cats experience stress related health or behavioural problems. However, stress related behaviour problems such as indoor spray marking<ref>Pryor, P.A., Hart, B.L., Bain, M.J., Cliff, K.D. (2001) Causes of urine marking in cats and effects of environmental management on frequency of marking. ''JAVMA''. 219, 1709-1713.</ref> are more likely in multi-cat households. Greater levels of conflict are observed in multi-cat households, which is identified as an underlying factor in stress related health problems such as feline idiopathic cystitis <ref>Westropp, J.L., Buffinton, C.A. (2004) Feline idiopathic cystitis: current understanding of pathophysiology and management. ''Vet Clin Small Anim''. 34, 1043-1055.</ref>, which may also be more common in multi-cat households.

Given the increased probability of inter-cat tension in multi cat households, and the very high cat population density in some urban areas, owners should be encouraged to exercise caution when considering the introduction of additional cats to a household. Although some cats do form strong social bonds with each other, these relationships are not the norm and are not something that cat owners should expect to see. Single housed cats with a suitably enriched environment has no intrinsic need for the companionship of another cat; the default state of cast is as [[feline Predatory Behaviour|solitary hunters]] that do not need to associate with other cats in order to survive. It is more important that owners focus on providing cats with sufficient [[Effect of Environment on Feline Behaviour|safe territory, food, shelter,]] and opportunities to play and exercise, then they will cope very well. The cat is free to mix with cats outside and, if it is a sociable individual, it can find friends there. If, however, the cat is not particularly sociable then it can avoid other cats and live a happy life alone. Some cats definitely prefer to have their own home, without other cats in it, so it is important to think carefully before getting another cat.

Given the increased probability of inter-cat tension in multi cat households, and the very high cat population density in some urban areas, owners should be encouraged to exercise caution when considering the introduction of additional cats to a household. Although some cats do form strong social bonds with each other, these relationships are not the norm and are not something that cat owners should expect to see. Single housed cats with a suitably enriched environment has no intrinsic need for the companionship of another cat; the default state of cast is as [[feline Predatory Behaviour|solitary hunters]] that do not need to associate with other cats in order to survive. It is more important that owners focus on providing cats with sufficient [[Effect of Environment on Feline Behaviour|safe territory, food, shelter,]] and opportunities to play and exercise.

If you intend to keep several cats indoors, without outside access, this can also cause problems. You will need to [[Effect of Environment on Feline Behaviour|adapt the house]] to provide the cats with space and a whole host of resources and activities to save them from becoming bored or stressed by the absence of privacy from other cats.

If a new cat is to be added to a household where there are already resident cats, then [[Effect of Environment on Feline Behaviour#Introducing a Cat to a New Home/Environment|the new cat must be introduced very carefully]]. Apart from introducing the new cat correctly, it is important to make sure that the resident cats have a surplus of the resources they need so that they feel comfortable to coexist without competition.  

In the wild, cats do often live in groups, but these mainly consist of related adult females and immature cats. They are extremely intolerant of outsiders and unwilling to live with a cat they are not related to. So if the desire is for two cats to live together, it is best to get them as littermates. If this is not possible, very young kittens can be raised as if they were from the same litter, provided that this starts at a very early age i.e. before they are seven weeks old.

Sociability in cats may reduce after the age of 2 years, and be significantly reduced in middle age. It may therefore be more difficult to mix cats that are 2 years of age or older. There is also significant individual variation in the sociability of cats. Cats are more likely to integrate in a multi-cat household if they have previous successful experience of living in a similar multi-cat setting. Although there is some evidence that certain sex pairings may be more likely to succeed (for example, a resident cat may be more accepting of a new cat of the opposite sex), individual variation in social tolerance is more important.  

If an adult cat or older kitten is to become an additional cat in a multi-cat household, then [[Effect of Environment on Feline Behaviour#Introducing a Cat to a New Home/Environment|the new cat must be introduced very carefully]]. Apart from introducing the new cat correctly, it is important to make sure that the resident cats have plenty of the resources they need so that they feel comfortable to coexist without competition.

Owners who seek to have more than one cat may be best advised to start with two kittens of the same sex, as differences in behavioural development between male and female kittens can lead to problems.  

 

Research has shown that resident adult cats are more likely to accept the introduction of a new cat if it is much younger than them. They are far more intolerant of same-aged or older new cats. Research also suggests that resident cats are more likely to tolerate a new cat of the opposite rather than the same sex and that, in cases of same sex pairs, two males are slightly more likely to be compatible than two females. Some older cats do feel intimidated by kittens, as they may feel unable to stand up to physical play. So, getting two young kittens reduces the pressure on the older cat because the kittens can play together.

===Replacing a Housemate===

===Replacing a Housemate===

Friendships between cats are unique and individual and they cannot be replaced by bringing in a new cat. If a pair of littermates has been raised together, their bond is particularly strong and irreplaceable. The remaining cat may experience genuine grief and may search for and call out to the missing one. This kind of grieving can go on for several months and is certainly not a good time to bring in another cat. Any new cat may be met with intense hostility. Even if the new cat is introduced well after grieving has ended, the bond is unlikely ever to be as strong as between the previous pair.

Friendships between cats are unique and individual and they cannot be replaced by bringing in a new cat. If a pair of littermates has been raised together, their bond may be particularly strong. The remaining cat may show signs of grief, searching for and calling out for the missing one. This can go on for several months, and is a particularly bad time to introduce another cat as any new cat may be met with intense hostility. It is important for owners to realise that strong bonds between cats cannot be replaced by the introduction of another cat.

==References==

==References==