Multi-cat households: care tips and common issues

Updated 25/09/2024

Whether you’re a cat sitter about to embark on a multi-cat household sitting adventure, or you’re a pet parent thinking about introducing a new cat, it’s a good idea to get clued-up on what you’re in for.

It’s definitely squad goals, but caring for multiple cats can also feel a little daunting, as it’s easy to worry about ruffling some whiskers, stepping on some paws, and accidentally causing a whole lot of feline fuss. 

So, if your pet sitting skills are about to be put to the test or you’re expanding your feline family, stick with us for (cat sitting) tips on caring for multi-cat households.

Multi-cat households: the most important rules for cat owners

If you’re a pet parent welcoming a sitter soon and you’re after advice to pass on about caring for your multi-cat home, or you’re thinking about introducing another cat into the equation, explore our tips below.

1. Each cat must have their own…

• Litter boxes;
• Food and water stations;
• Toys;
• Perches (or at least have enough for each feline to use);
• Bed;
• Scratching post;
• Cat tree (or at least one big enough for all of your cats).

Make sure to have a spare. So if you have 2 cats you must provide 3 litter trays, if you have 3 cats then you must have 4 litter trays, and so on, for each resource.

2. Provide 1:1 time

As a cat lover, you’ll agree that felines sure are independent creatures. But like any other pet, all cats need love, affection and quality time with their pet parents. So to keep each cat happy, make sure you’re playing with them individually, greet each feline every day and dish out cuddles whenever you can.

Yup, having a multi-cat household is a demanding one, so only introduce a new cat into your home if you can give them all the time, care and attention they need.

3. Introducing a new cat to a multi-cat household

Cats are territorial creatures, so introducing a new cat can sometimes upset the apple cart. For a smooth transition, follow our tips below.

• Swap scents. Take a blanket from each kitty and let them get used to the other’s scent before bringing a new cat home.
• Set up safe spaces. Cats don’t often like to share their private spaces, so make sure each feline has a spot to take some time out - consider a bed tucked away, a perch up high or reading nook (for feline sunbathing, of course).
• Introduce slowly. After some time separated, allow both (or all) cats in the same space, but with a separator between them (whether that’s with a cat leash, glass door or a gate). This allows them to see each other without being in direct contact. Reward your felines with snacks and repeat the process until they seem relaxed around one another. You can then start allowing them to have short supervised periods together without any barriers. 
• Understand your cat’s body language. Felines sure act differently when they’re agitated or angry, so get to know your cat’s body language to avoid any unwanted behavior.

Advice on introducing a new cat from Rob Kuty - Director of Animal Training for the Helen Woodward Animal Center

Our member and cat owner - @Mols was in this very situation - looking to introduce a new cat, and unsure on the best way to go about it. Luckily, Rob Kuty, President of San Diego Pet Training and Director of Animal Training at Helen Woodward Animal Center - was on hand over on our community forum.

@Mols asks: “Do you have any tips for welcoming a new cat into a home where another cat (7yrs old) already lives? He has been used to living with another cat for the majority of his life but it’s been a little while since there’s been another cat in the house.”

Rob: “Even though the resident cat has lived with a cat in the past, when you put two cats together, it’s always going to be a new, unique dynamic between the two. Therefore, I would make sure the home setting is calm when you introduce the new cat. 

I would either initially have the new cat at a large enclosure and allow the resident cat at its comfort level to approach and see the initial response from both cats. At that point you would proceed accordingly, depending on their reactions to each other. 

They wear their personality on their sleeve so if they’re showing a disposition of acceptance, I would ease the cats into each other. 

If they were showing signs of assertiveness, I would contact a local behaviorist and move forward accordingly.”

4. Know the signs of a problem

Things might be going well, but it’s vital that pet parents of multi-cat households know the signs of a happy cat and the signs that the felines in the house aren’t best pleased. Explore below to get clued-up on the warning signs that things aren’t going quite so swimmingly.

Subtle signs your multi-cat home is an unhappy one:

• Social withdrawal.
• Clinginess towards you (sometimes a clingy cat is an anxious one).
• Less tolerance towards you and the other cats.
• Your cat seems on edge - this can look like tail twitching and scanning the area constantly.
• Pretending to sleep.
• Rubbing their scent constantly.
• Over-grooming.
• Scratching at furniture or carpets more than usual.
• Lack of motivation to play.

Obvious signs your multi-cat home is an unhappy one:

• Spraying inside the home to mark their territory.
• Pooping in places outside of their litter tray.
• Attacking you, your other cats and humans in your home.
• Stress cystitis - contact your vet if your feline is straining to urinate, or has blood in their urine.

Naturally, there is no guarantee that introducing a new cat to your current furry family will go well. But if you’ve carefully considered your current cats’ personalities, you’ve done everything you can to keep all parties happy and they’re still showing signs of distress, contact your vet for advice.

How to keep multi-cat households happy during your vacation

If you’ve followed our golden rules for looking after your multi-cat household and the felines in your life seem happy, you might feel it’s time for a well-deserved vacation.

And as vets agree pets are happier kept in the comfort of home, have you considered connecting with cat sitters to look after your felines? We can all agree that cats are creatures of habit, and the familiar surroundings of home keep them calm and happy, afterall. 

So to find out how to connect with verified, in-home cat sitters to care for your feline family, take a look below.

Multi-cat households: advice for sitters

1. Understand responsibilities

As well as explaining how many furry friends need looking after, pet parents should give cat sitters a clear set of instructions before leaving, including information about the following:

• Feeding schedules and daily routine
• Where their furry friends like to sleep
• Whether they’re indoor or outdoor cats
• Whether they need any medication or special care
• How long the cats can be left alone
• Their contact details of their vet

Having a clear understanding of the responsibilities from the get-go ensures things run as smoothly as possible while the pet parents are away. 

2. Get to know the cats

Every tail has a story to tell, so it’s also important for pet parents to provide an insight into the personality traits of their furry friends. Do they prefer being left to their own devices or will they spend the day curled up in your lap? Are they likely to go off exploring overnight or would this be unusual? Keep in mind that while Cookie the cat might love a scratch behind the ears, her furry brother or sister may not feel the same. Take things slow at first, and remember, it’s far easier to start off on the right foot rather than going back to repair things at a later date. 

3. Follow their routine

For things to run smoothly, pet parents need to give pet sitters a rough idea of their routine. This will usually be a set of instructions along the following lines: 

• Daily litter box maintenance
• Replenish food and water twice a day
• Clean food bowls daily
• Administer medication when necessary
• Groom the cats frequently with a brush (some cats need more or less help with grooming depending on their age, fur type, and personal hygiene habits)
• Frequent playtime and opportunities for exercise (this will vary depending on the energy levels of the cats)
• Vacuum/sweep every 2-3 days (depending on how much hair the kitty cats lose)

Continuing with the same routine should help feline friends feel more comfortable and reduce the chance of separation anxiety while pet parents are away. 

4. Try to keep everyone happy 

Each furry family member deserves their fair share of care and attention, and it’s essential to stay tuned to their individual preferences and boundaries. As a pet sitter, ensuring every kitty cat in the household is mentally and physically stimulated with toys and games will take more time than it would in a single-cat household. 

5. Prioritize safety

In the hustle and bustle of a household with multiple pets, prioritizing the safety of our feline friends becomes even more important. As the number of purr pals increases, so does the potential for mess, and staying on top of the cleaning is key. When cat sitting for multi-cat households, you’ll need to devote more time to cleaning out the litter boxes, filling up food and water bowls, and ensuring each kitty gets the grooming attention they deserve. Beyond cleanliness, creating a safe environment involves more than just removing potential hazards. Cat sitters also need to ensure kitties have access to the safe spaces created by their pet parents at all times, so they can retreat from their fellow felines for a bit of “me time” whenever they need it. 

6. Dealing with conflict

You might be familiar with the saying “fight like cats and dogs”, but navigating disputes between feline friends is an art of its own. If you notice one of the multiple animals under your care is nearing the end of their tether, they must have their own space to retreat to - this might mean closing the door to their room or cornering off an area so they can’t be disturbed. 

7. Emergency situations 

Even the best-laid plans can go awry, and cat sitters should be able to recognize signs their furry friend is unwell or injured. When professional help is needed, cat sitters must have emergency contact details for both the pet parents and their vet. For times when an extra helping hand is needed, remember that TrustedHousesitters provides access to a 24/7 vet advice line, which sitters can use at any point during their stay. 

Love felines and want to become a pet sitter for multi-cat households?

Simply adore felines and love the idea of cat sitting in a household with more than one feline to look after? Great - here’s your chance to travel to new destinations and get a place to stay in return for cat care. To find out how becoming a cat sitter works, take a look below.

Meet our veterinary expert, Rebecca

This article has been checked by veterinarian Rebecca MacMillan, BVetMed MRCVS. Rebecca is a companion animal vet who has always had a passion for writing and client communication. Since her graduation from the Royal Veterinary college in 2009 she has gained a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, in both clinical and managerial roles. She currently works in the South West and deals with a variety of routine and emergency appointments, but particularly enjoys medicine cases. Outside of work and writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, including her bouncy flat coated retriever George!

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