Having cats can be a source of great well-being and entertainment and can help reduce stress. There is nothing sweeter than coming home to your cats snuggled together on the sofa. However, owning more than one cat comes with particular challenges. Managing a family environment where there are several animals takes a little more work and organization, but it can certainly be worth it.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Maintain Good Hygiene
Step 1. Get as many litter boxes as there are cats, plus one
In other words, if you have three cats, try to get four. You may feel like you have extra work, but having more than one litter box prevents inappropriate shedding that causes more serious problems.
- Cats can be very reserved and don't like sharing their litter box.
- Keep the litter boxes in different rooms as much as possible. Dominant cats can claim a specific one for themselves. Keeping a certain distance between the litter boxes will allow the dominant cat to "guard" only one, leaving the others available to more timid cats.
Step 2. Keep them clean
Cats have sensitive noses and can react harshly in front of a very dirty litter box.
- Remove excrement frequently, usually once a day. Clumping litter allows you to easily remove feces and urine and then refill the tray with new material. If you use absorbent litter, replace it completely at least once a week.
- Do not clean the litter box with very strong smelling detergents or soaps. It is sufficient to use plain soap with water in order to avoid introducing odors that can be unpleasant to the cat.
Step 3. Make the litter box a comfortable place
Often the cat resorts to inappropriate eliminations because it cannot bear some characteristics of the litter box and therefore goes to the toilet somewhere else.
- The litter box should always be accessible and should be in a relatively quiet location, not in the center of household traffic.
- It should be between 2.5 and 5cm deep. Cats can develop a strong preference for a particular type of litter box.
- Many cats don't like litter boxes with a lid, self-cleaning or too small for them. Pay attention to your cats' preferences.
Step 4. Clean up any incidents immediately and thoroughly
Vomiting, hairballs and any inappropriate elimination are part of the routine if you have several cats. Cleaning immediately will help prevent bad odors from forming and bad habits.
- Use a specific enzymatic cleaner to clean cat urine. If the cat can smell its own urine somewhere in the house, it will consider it a suitable place for its own eliminations.
- Baking soda can effectively remove odors. After cleaning the area of stool or vomit, sprinkle some baking soda and let it sit for a few hours to absorb the odors.
Step 5. Monitor the amount of cat hair in your home
It can cause allergies to family members and guests and also tends to stick to clothing.
- Vacuum often. Your cat has no problem sleeping on a layer of her own fur, but it can be a good idea to frequently vacuum the floor, carpets and upholstery for yourself and your guests.
- Brush your cats regularly. Use specific brushes that can reach the thickest undercoat.
- Cover the furniture with easy-to-wash sheets or towels that you can throw in the washing machine when you have guests.
- Use an adhesive brush or a clothes brush to remove cat hair from clothes before going outside.
Part 2 of 3: Preventing and Managing Behavior Problems
Step 1. Rule out any physical causes behind inappropriate behavior
If your cat is behaving abnormally, take him to the vet to rule out any diseases that may be causing it.
- For example, if you urinate outside the litter box, it can be a symptom of a urinary tract infection, kidney stones, or other problems.
- If you are unsure which cat urinates outside the litter box, ask your vet to provide you with fluorescein, a harmless dye capable of making cat urine glow with ultraviolet light for about 24 hours. Give it to only one cat daily, then find and examine fresh urine in the affected area. Eventually you will be able to find the culprit.
Step 2. Use a pheromone product to reduce tension
These are products capable of simulating the pheromones present on the cat's face. They are used to help cats relax and can reduce aggression in an environment with more than one pet. They can also reduce any problems related to getting your nails done and splashing urine.
You can spread pheromones by using aerosol cans, collars, wipes, or diffusers
Step 3. Make sure cats have spaces to retreat to and be alone
They are territorial animals, so it is important to have enough space for all the cats you own. Cats appreciate privacy and can feel safer if they have the opportunity to hide from time to time.
- Take advantage of the vertical spaces in your home. For example, clear some space above taller cabinets or leave a shelf partially open.
- A very shy or behaviorally impaired cat may prefer a room of their own, at least for a while. Equip her with her litter box, food and water.
Step 4. Discourages aggression directed towards other animals
A cat that gets angry for any reason may turn its anger towards another cat present near it at that moment. If one of your cats is getting nervous, divert their attention away from the other animals.
For example, if one of them hates taking medicine, make sure to give it to him when he is the only cat in the room
Step 5. Get several items to nail
This is a very important behavior for cats: it helps them mark territory and keep their claws sharp at the same time. If you want to discourage your cat from clawing on certain objects, such as furniture, you need to provide tempting alternatives.
- Scratching posts should be stable because the cat should be able to let off steam without knocking them over. You can use 2 to 5 kg weights to stabilize a small scratching post.
- Procure different types of materials. Some cats like the feel of agave string, while others like plain wood.
- Sprinkle catnip on a new surface to arouse initial interest.
- Discourage inappropriate scratching by using fragrances that cats don't like, like mint and lemon. You can also wrap a particularly delicate piece of furniture with aluminum foil as a deterrent to your cats.
Step 6. Use treats to encourage positive behavior
While not as easy to train as dogs, cats learn to repeat positive behavior if they associate it with a reward. Reward them for teaching them how to behave, being careful not to inadvertently reward behaviors you don't like.
- For example, reward them every time they use the scratching post.
- If necessary, you can discourage negative behavior by sprinkling water near the cats. Use a sprayer but do not aim directly at the animal, but in its vicinity. Use this method to stop a cat confrontation.
- You can use it to get your cat away from your work table, Christmas tree, or other places you want them to stay away from.
Step 7. Slowly insert a new cat
Don't throw him into the group right away: a cautious and gradual integration process can prevent problems from arising.
- Initially, keep the cat in a separate room and allow others to smell the newcomer.
- Feed cats on both sides of the same door to create positive associations and a sense of trust.
- Allow cats to see each other through a mosquito net or baby gate before proceeding with full insertion.
Step 8. Monitor your cats' interactions with other pets and people
Never leave a cat unattended with animals that are its natural prey, such as fish, birds or rodents. Make sure it can escape unwanted attention from dogs, children and guests.
Part 3 of 3: Taking Care of Several Cats
Step 1. If possible, feed the cats separately
They will have different needs than the amount and perhaps even the type of food they need.
- Feed them in different rooms, closing the door for twenty minutes or as long as it takes to finish the meal.
- Feeding them separately also helps prevent them from fighting over meals.
- Make sure the water is freely accessible from all parts of the house.
Step 2. Offer several opportunities to exercise
It's not always easy for indoor cats to get enough exercise to keep fit. Although they can play with each other, it is best to make sure that they provide enough training and entertainment opportunities.
- Provide toys and alternate them so they always have something new to play with. If an old toy has lost its charm, put it back in the closet for a few months and then repurpose it.
- Play with them. Throw some light balls or rubber mice, or let some strings dangle to catch them.
Step 3. Make regular veterinary visits for each of your cats
Subjecting them to vaccinations and routine checks will prevent the transmission of diseases from one cat to another.
- Feline infectious peritonitis can be passed from cat to cat via feces and saliva and is almost always lethal.
- Feline leukemia can be transmitted by mutual cleaning and, less frequently, by sharing litter boxes and food bowls.
- Few diseases can be transmitted from cats to humans and vice versa. However, cat scratches and bites can become infected and should therefore be thoroughly cleaned and checked for any signs of infection such as prolonged redness, pain and swelling.
Step 4. Castra or neuter cats
Make no exceptions: more kittens are born each year than can be accommodated.
- Neutering and spaying decrease the chance of the cat marking territory with urine.
- They also greatly reduce conflicts.
Step 5. Keep toxic plants and chemicals out of the reach of cats
Contact your veterinarian if you have purchased a plant or cut flowers and are unsure if they are toxic to your pets. Keep cleaners and chemicals locked up in a closet.
- Among the most common plants that are toxic to cats are lilies, tulip bulbs, chrysanthemums and amaryllis.
- Symptoms of poisoning include difficulty breathing, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, drooling in the mouth, diarrhea and an irregular heartbeat.
