If you have a cat, have you ever thought that it would be a shame to leave it at home alone... Wouldn't it be better if it had an equal playmate?
Things you need to know when keeping multiple pets
It's often said that cats are solitary creatures. However, if you leave your cat alone at home for long periods of time, you might be worried that it would be better for it to have someone to play with. However, getting a new cat can also cause stress for your current cat. Therefore, when considering keeping multiple cats, it's important to be well aware of the following points.
Compatibility by gender and age
Just as people have different compatibility levels, cats also have different compatibility levels. Adult male cats, in particular, tend to be territorial, so it's best to avoid them in multiple-cat households. For those considering multiple cat households, sibling cats are recommended. Sibling cats born around the same time tend to develop at similar rates and tend to get along well into adulthood. Sibling cats are often found in foster homes through cat rescue organizations. Neutered females and males and females also tend to get along well. Cats tend not to fight with those weaker than them, so even if the new cat is a kitten, the existing cat will often warmly welcome it. However, cats are easily stressed by changes in their environment, so caution is required if the existing cat is elderly. Even if a cat is healthy now, the arrival of a new cat is not uncommon. Therefore, if you absolutely want to have multiple cats, it's best to carefully consider the matter and seek the advice of a veterinarian.
How many pets can you afford to care for?
If you own a cat, you've probably heard the term "multi-cat collapse." This is a situation that should be avoided at all costs: having more cats than you can handle and then being unable to care for them. Keeping cats requires a certain amount of space, as well as the daily cost of food and vaccinations. You also need the means to cover unexpected medical expenses to maintain their health. Irresponsibly increasing the number of cats because "they're cute" or "I feel sorry for the abandoned cats" can ultimately make the cats unhappy. When considering keeping multiple cats, it's important to reconsider whether you can responsibly care for each one.
Preparation for keeping multiple pets
Once you have decided to keep multiple cats, start making the following preparations right away, for both your current cats and the new one.
Generally, there is one toilet per pet.
Once they become close, they may use the same litter box, but some cats will only defecate in their own designated litter box. Therefore, if you decide to have multiple cats, make sure to provide a litter box for each cat. When doing so, it's important to place the litter boxes in separate locations, rather than all in one place. This is because some cats are territorial and don't like to share a litter box with other cats. If each cat has a favorite litter box, you can check their health by checking their defecation habits.
Meal size and content should be tailored to each cat's preferences.
The most important thing to pay attention to when it comes to cat health is their diet. Cats have different preferences, with some preferring crunchy dry food and others preferring wet food. When feeding a new cat in a multi-cat household, try to feed only the amount needed based on the cat's age and weight. If your cat simply refuses to eat despite being in good health, you may need to consult with your veterinarian and consider changing the type of food. Another issue to be aware of when keeping multiple cats is leftover food. If you leave leftovers lying around for too long, other cats will eat them, which can lead to overeating, so be careful.
Providing a relaxing space for everyone
Cats generally prefer to be solitary, so no matter how close they are, it's important to make sure they have space to keep their distance from each other. If flat space is limited, we recommend placing a cat tower to increase vertical space. This will provide a place to escape to when they fight or are in a bad mood. As they live together, they will each develop their own favorite spots, such as a sunny spot or on the futon. Owners should also make an effort to provide their cats with relaxing spaces.
What is necessary for cats to get along?
Not all cats get along instantly, so you need to be especially careful when introducing a new cat to an existing cat household.
First, put them in a cage and get them used to it.
Introducing a new cat to a domestic cat can be stressful for both the cat and the human. For a domestic cat, it means that an unfamiliar cat has suddenly entered its territory. Owners should be careful not to cause stress to their cats. It takes a certain amount of time for the two cats to become friendly with each other. First, put the new cat in a cage and let them get used to each other's presence. Some cats get used to each other right away, while others may take more than two weeks, but be patient and keep an eye on each other's presence.
Always have the owner accompany the pet when it is taken out of the cage.
Once the new cat is eating well and is less wary of the resident cat and you, let them out of their cages and let them meet face to face. Again, it's important that the owner is always present at this time. If you see them touching each other's noses and rears and sniffing each other, it's likely they're trying to get closer. If one of them hides immediately or if it looks like a fight is about to get heated, it's important to gently return them to their cages. If the new cat won't move from the corner of the room, it's a good idea to play with them with a toy to attract their attention.
Don't panic if you can't become friends
If they inevitably fight every time they see each other, it's important to take the plunge and separate them into separate rooms. If their presence becomes stressful for them, it could lead to poor health. As an owner, you want to see your cute cats quickly become friends. However, in many cases of multiple cat households, it can take a year for them to finally start sleeping together. Owners should first show each cat affection and watch over them gently, so that they can slowly come to accept each other's presence over time.
Experiences of owning multiple pets
I also have an 11-year-old male cat and two 3-year-old female cats living in my home. Originally, I only had one male cat, but I ended up adopting a female cat who had nowhere to go. Of course, my biggest concern when adopting him was the male cat, who was 9 years old at the time. At 9, he was approaching his senior years and needed to be careful about his health. Therefore, I brought him home, prepared to find another home if the male cat wasn't willing to adopt him. At first, the female cat was scared and refused to come out of her carrier, so I left her alone. After she gradually became accustomed to her new home and her family, I introduced her to the male cat. There were no major fights, and the two soon began cuddling together under the kotatsu table. This is likely due to the age difference and gender. The fully grown male cat likely didn't see the 1-year-old female cat as a potential target for fighting. Another key factor was the male cat's easygoing and fearless nature. If your existing cat is timid and sensitive, it will take time to keep multiple cats.
summary
One of the great attractions of having multiple cats is being able to experience each cat's unique personality every day. However, to do so, you must prioritize compatibility between the cats. In order for each cat to live comfortably, it is important to provide a good living environment. Above all, treating each cat with great love will lead to happy days for both cats and humans.
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