Family life
Living With More Than One Cat
How to reduce tension between cats by sharing out resources and space.
By Dr Hana LindqvistVeterinary review: Dr Elena Marsh6 min readPublished 2026-09-29Updated 2026-09-29
Cats are not always social
Many cats prefer to live alone or only with cats they grew up with. Tension is often quiet: staring, blocking doorways, hiding.
Separate resources
- One litter tray per cat plus one extra
- Food and water in several places
- Scratching posts and beds in different rooms
- High perches and hiding spots
Introducing a new cat
Keep the newcomer in a separate room first, swap scents, then allow short supervised meetings over days or weeks.
When to get help
Fighting, urine marking or a cat that stops eating need a vet check and possibly a qualified behaviourist.
References
- Multi-cat households — International Cat Care