Changes

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>

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>

There is no reason to provide other cats as play mates for a single, happy cat that has outdoor access and plenty of toys and resting places in the home. It is important to remember that cats are [[feline Predatory Behaviour|solitary hunters]] and they do not need to associate with other cats in order to survive. This means that cats can live alone perfectly happily. Provided that they have a sufficient supply of [[Effect of Environment on Feline Behaviour|safe territory, food, shelter,]] affection from their owners 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. This means that cats can live alone perfectly happily. Provided that they have a sufficient supply of [[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.

 

Some urban areas have a very high population density of cats and adding extra ones simply causes more tension and stress for all of them. New cats may not be able to carve out their own territory and could end up living indoors because they are too frightened to go outside.

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 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.