Hello one and all, and welcome back to another wonderful edition of Whinny’s Wisdoms! One of these days the blog will actually be about mice (the very coolest species), but today, we’re talking about maybe the second coolest: cats. Specifically, cat cohabitation.

This probably won’t surprise you, but 40-70% of cat homes across the world have multiple cats. It’s easy to want to collect them once you see how warm and fuzzy they are. But there can absolutely be issues with welfare and stress if multi-cat homes are not managed properly. You know what I’m squeaking about: fighting, spraying, scratching up the furniture, even medical issues like urinary blockage or diarrhea.

More important than single cat vs multi cat are probably handling and husbandry styles, environmental disruption, socialization history of cats towards humans and other cats, and social stability of cat groups.

Most of you know we have a new Clinic Cat, Wednesday, who has been with us for a few months—I’ve been showing her the ropes—but if you’ve been to the clinic recently you may have also seen a little fluffball kitten who is starting to make his name known. Pugsley is the newest member of Springhill Equine, and is in Clinic Cat Bootcamp at the moment.

Our team has been careful to make the transition to cohabitation a peaceful one for our supurrrvisors, so you could say I’m just the expert you need!

Key Information and Tips

Always have one more litter box than the number of cats, and I’ll clarify that that should mean litter box location. Think about it: there’s still a line for the single bathroom in the stadium whether there’s one stall or ten, but if you have two to three bathrooms on different sides of the stadium then you don’t have to stand in line next to your class rival.

It should go without saying, but there also needs to be at least one food bowl per cat. Cats are big resource guarders as a species (I just try not to be the resource, you know what I mean?) so limiting the places and sources of their food is just asking for argument.

Most cats need and want vertical space in their household. Think about cat “highways” throughout the house—remember the Floor is Lava game? There should also be hiding spots for your kitties, but try to limit possible cornering zones, especially if you have a more forward cat and a more introverted one. This amazing cat wall by Catastrophicreations.com might be an extreme example of creating cat spaces, but you might be able get some ideas from it.

So you’re going to bring a new cat into the home? Well, first impressions are most important, so make sure to plan the introduction and think about potential avenues for trouble. The new cat needs their own space that the current tenants don’t have access to for a bit. Having a safe space of their own not only limits the chance for conflict but also lets them process the new smells and sounds of their home. As they spend time there and you go between their area and the rest of your home, that new smell will be spread around so your old cats “catch wind” of their new friend. You can also do things to swap scents—trading bedding or toys to start, and then eventually even swapping rooms for a spell. This will allow both old and new cats private time to process each other’s presence before meeting… like reading a resume before interviewing someone.

Speaking of smell, I’m sure you’ve heard me talk before about pheromone products. Feliway is the synthetic version of the pheromone cats secrete from their cheeks when they rub all over you and the corners of doorways and walls. That pheromone can only be smelled by them, but basically marks an area as “safe.” Well, they’ve also created a Felway Multicat which works by acting like a mother cat saying “there, there, my angels, get along now.”

CLICK HERE to order Feliway direct from our Amazon Storefront!

Of course, eventually your old and new cats have to meet, unless you plan to keep a whole separate apartment for your new cat, but that’s when questions come up so…

The first time your cats see each other should not be a surprise to either of them, and should always be safe for both. You can do this through a pet gate, sliding glass door, or just the crack of a door. It’s better to have multiple short, safe, uneventful interactions to start. This will build a neutral to positive association before they have prolonged contact with each other.

Once your cats have smelled, heard, and seen each other a few times, it’s time for them to share space. If you have multiple resident cats, it’s often best to introduce them to the new cat on an individual basis. Only allow them to share space if there’s no signs of aggression or fear from either side.

Whinny’s Wisdom: This cat is definitely afraid, and may turn aggressive. The ears are flattened, pupils dilated, and body is tucked with the tail under. Do not proceed with introductions if either cat looks like this!

It can take many months before a new cat fully integrates into a household. There are a lot of factors at play, and some cats may never become friends, but as long as they can coexist peacefully, it’s a win. Don’t ever try to force closeness or cuddles on cats who don’t want it—you’re likely to get claws!

You know your resident cats best; be sure to take their personalities in mind before bringing a new cat or kitten into the home. While I get to see all kinds in my role as Official Clinic Mouse for Springhill Equine and Companion Animal Clinic, most pets spend 99% of their time in their home with only the creatures that live there. New introductions can be scary or intimidating, and responses aren’t always predictable.

As always, if you have questions about bringing a new cat into your home, or about improving the mingling of your current crew, talk to our team of certified Cat People and we can give you some tips! And Dr. Speziok is always happy to see your pets for behavior consults, just call to schedule.

Stay Friendly,

Whinny

P.S. If you haven’t poked around my website in a while, you might want to take a minute to check it out! There are a ton of resources on here besides my amazing blog. We have books, a huge video library, a podcast, links to social media, upcoming events, and more!

Hey everybody, Whinny, your favorite clinic mouse is here today to spin a yarn about the tantalizing world of emotional well-being for cats. Now, when you’re a mouse navigating a clinic filled with these enigmatic feline creatures, you learn a thing or two about their secrets to happiness. And of course, I learned almost all of what I know from the late, great Tony. He’ll forever be remembered here at Springhill Equine. This blog and all my others are dedicated to him. So, give extra snuggles to your favorite feline friend, because we’re about to embark on a meow-gical journey into the world of cat emotional wellness.

Safe Havens and Cat Castles: Creating Stress-Free Sanctuaries

One secret to maintaining your cats’ mental harmony lies in providing safe spaces. Whether it’s a towering cat tree or a cozy escape room, these spaces are essential for those moments when your cat needs some time to recharge. It’s a bit like having your own mouse hole to escape to when things get too hairy. These should be individualized to each feline; some prefer cave-like hideaways while others prefer freedom in the tree-dom.

Now, I must mention the importance of vertical territory. Most cats adore high perches, and these “cat castles” not only fulfill their inner jungle-cat fantasies but also serve as a refuge away from other household pets (pronounced “dogs and kids”). It’s similar to a watchtower in the midst of a bustling kingdom. Just like mice require hidey-holes, cats require cat trees of some variety. In a paw-fect world, the vertical spaces create a super highway throughout the home, giving the cat the option to leave an altercation with a dog, another cat, or a vacuum cleaner and migrate to another part of the household.

I know the world is not always perfect—if it was I’d have a lot more cheese than I do right now—so a more obtainable goal might be to have vertical territory for cats in any dead ends or narrow alleyways in the home.  

The Litter Box Labyrinth: Keeping Stress at Bay

Ah, the mystical litter box, a place of solitude and contemplation for our feline friends. It’s vital to have an ample number of these for your fur babies. Why, you ask? Well, it’s like having a choice of restrooms in a giant labyrinth. More boxes mean less stress because no cat likes to wait in line for the loo. The rule of paw is this: have one more litter box location than the number of litter box users. So you can’t just have three boxes next to each other in the garage for your two kitties because that would be only one sanitation station. This also means your only child cat gets their very own two litter box locations. Five cats? Six litter box locations. Are you picking up what I’m putting down?

Whinny’s Wisdom: Always have one more litter box location than the number of litter box users in the home.

 Now, remember, my fellow mouse-eyed friends, the litter box isn’t just for business. Cats are incredibly finicky about cleanliness, and a dirty box is like a porta-potty at a beer and brats festival (it starts out good, but rapidly turns into a disaster). Keep it clean and pristine to keep your cat’s mood as fresh as a daisy. Scoop out those boxes at least once per day, though some cats require twice.

And of course, just like cats have individualized needs for their safe havens, some have individualized needs for their litter. If your cat starts getting pickier about their litter box, stops using it as regularly, or a new cat won’t use it at all, I recommend a “Litter Box Buffet” to determine the type of box and litter that cat prefers. Set up a variety of types of boxes and litters all in a line—separate locations don’t matter in this particular experiment—and pay attention to which strikes your feline’s fancy. Then, replace the relevant boxes with the preferred choice.

Feliway: The Pharaoh of Pharaoh-Mones

My dear readers, there’s one hidden treasure I must bring to your attention before we part: Feliway. This over-the-counter pheromone product is like the grand protector of your cat’s emotional well-being. It mimics the pheromones cats release from their cheek glands, essentially marking whatever they rub on as “safe.”

It’s like an invisible fortress that tells your cat, “Hey, this place is the bee’s knees, no need to stress.” You can use it during stressful times like vet visits, and even for everyday happiness in your cat’s favorite corners. It’s like the soothing scent of a cheese wheel to a mouse – simply irresistible. Feliway comes in a collar, a spray, and a room plug in. The collar and room plug in each last for about a month at a time. You can use all three, or pick one to two. If the issue is room specific, the plug in and maybe the spray are your best bets. If the issue is more internalized to that cat, definitely go with the collar, and maybe use the spray on a few choice things like their bed or scratch post.

When the Basics Won’t Cut It—Controlling Stress at the Vet

Stressors like vet visits and dreaded car rides can turn even the proudest of cats into frazzled furballs. But fret not; we have some tricks up our tails to help our feline friends find their inner zen. Feliway can definitely work it’s magic here—spraying down the carrier or a towel prior to take off can help remind kitties that they are still safe. Arriving to your appointment on time or just a few minutes early and giving your vet the heads up that your kitty is a bit stressed can help the staff get you into a quiet room soon to avoid nosy canines in the waiting area. Skipping breakfast that morning can help your cat be more willing to take goodies offered during the exam like Temptations treats or Churu.

For those cataclysmic cats that can’t calm despite all of the above, there’s a purr-fect solution – Gabapentin. This prescription medication can help decrease anxiety and stress, allowing our feline friends to travel or undergo necessary check-ups with much less ado. It’s like a little mood booster for those who get jittery about leaving their cozy cat-castle. Talk to your veterinarian about picking up some Gabapentin to give prior to the vet visit. Typically, we will have you give a dose the night before the big event, and then the morning of. This medication can make a few kitties wobbly on their feet, but fear not, it is very safe and it helps keep our vet team safe while we address all your kitty’s health needs.

Feline Stress Complications: Urinary Blockage

Let me remind you of a grave concern – the specter of urinary blockage. This life-threatening complication often stalks young to middle-aged, neutered male, overweight cats. Stress can play a major role in its development, hence this terrifying tangent.

You see, when cats are stressed, they often drink less water, and this and some other factors can lead their bodies to form crystals or stones in their urinary tracts, leading to blockages. A urinary blockage in any animal is a life-threatening situation that requires immediate veterinary attention. Preventing stress with the measures we’ve discussed can be a key factor in keeping these issues at bay. It’s like protecting your castle from a mouse invasion – stress is the enemy!

A Final Paws for Thought

As we conclude this meow-gical journey into the enchanting realm of cat emotional well-being, I hope you’ve gained some insights into the delicate world of our whiskered friends. Remember, they have their quirks and eccentricities, but beneath that fur and those whiskers, they have a heart that purrs for love, comfort, and serenity.

So, give your furball plenty of safe spaces, cherish your Feliway, and create a stress-free haven for your four-legged friend. And always remember, stress is a mouse’s greatest enemy, just as it can be for your beloved feline.

Until next week, keep your tails high and your spirits higher!

~ Whinny

P.S. In case you missed the news, Adventures of the Horse Doctor’s Husband 3 is out! You can scroll down just a bit to the green banner and click on it to go to the Books page on my website and check it out. And while you’re scrolling down, pause at the purple box and subscribe to this blog, if you haven’t already! You’ll get it a day or two before everyone else, and it will show up right in your email! As Tony used to say: you’re welcome!