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- Title
Dealing with multi-cat households: management and treatment strategies.
- Authors
Clark, Caroline
- Abstract
The domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus) continues to be one of the most commonly owned companion animals. Owners may be pressured to house more than one cat, or may misguidedly think that cats require feline companionship. However, being forced to co-exist with unrelated individuals in a densely populated home is a potential source of feline stress, and in 2015 Cats Protection (www.cats.org.uk) saw an 18% increase in the number of cats entering adoption centres due to cohabiting cats not getting along. When problems occur, it is often the veterinary practice that owners will turn tofor advice, although in many cases this happens only once the situation has become critical. The veterinary team therefore has a major role in educating the client, and being able to provide advice on the needs of the cat can assist in reducing problem behaviours. The second part of this two-part article concentrates on strategies to help manage cats living in a multi-cat household. Advice on the integration of cats is provided, looking at their temperament to aid compatibility and prevent problems from developing. Recommendations for alleviating stress are considered and the importance of environmental enrichment is discussed. Practical solutions and treatment options are provided to enable the clinician to develop an effective treatment plan.
- Subjects
PETS; VETERINARIANS; CATS; ANIMAL specialists; ANIMALS; EDUCATION
- Publication
UK-Vet Companion Animal, 2016, Vol 21, Issue 2, p68
- ISSN
2053-0889
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.12968/coan.2016.21.2.68