Resource allocation in multi-pet families: food, sleeping places and hiding spots
Insufficient resources are the number one cause of conflict.
The basic rule is that the number of resources is equal to the number of pets plus one: food bowls, water bowls, litter boxes, sleeping areas, and toys must all be configured according to this principle. The centralized placement of resources will allow strong individuals to monopolize and weak individuals to suffer chronic stress.
Hiding spots are especially important for cats. Vertical space, cardboard boxes, and cabinets with doors can provide escape routes. Cats lacking an escape route will use passive aggression (snatching and biting) to maintain distance.
Separate the individuals into different rooms during feeding, and control the meal time to twenty to thirty minutes. Eating together may seem peaceful, but in reality it often leads to food-grabbing and food-protecting behaviors.
Follow a phased adaptation process when introducing new members: scent exchange, door-to-door feeding, and short periods of time together. The whole process usually takes two to four weeks. If either party has hair or refuses to eat, return to the previous step.
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