http://www.yourcat.co.uk 49Y
our Cat’s recent social media
shout-out for readers living in
multi-cat homes triggered
a fantastic response. In fact, we
were overwhelmed with replies from
owners who not only have two or three
cats (see ‘The more, the merrier?’,
September issue), but several who have
six or even seven each.
Having such a large feline family
presents a whole new set of challenges,
so we asked four owners how they cope,
what sacrifices they have had to make,
and the best — and worst — things
about living with lots of cats...Q. Tell us a bit about your cats.
Rachel: “Rescues Pumpkin and Skye;
Birman Casper; Siamese Beanie; Oriental
Mouse; and Devon Rex Bandit.”
Erica: “Brothers Elvis and Joni; brother
and sister Bowie and Madge; rescue
kittens Taylor and Suzi; rescue Grace.”
Tracy: “Ollie, a ginger, three-legged
moggy; Tinx; Teddy; Star; Oscar; and
Jess, a rescue from Romania.”
Lara:“Tabby, a moggy; Persia, a Bengal
with half a tail; and Ragdolls Katie, Ru,
Francine, Calippo, and Kiki.”Q. Why so many?
Rachel: “I didn’t plan six... but it
works well and I wouldn’t want to
upset the balance.”
Erica: “I’ve always loved cats. After
my cat Charlie was run over, I went
a bit mad, joined a Facebook cat rescue
group, and have had loads since.”
Tracy: “Why not? For years, I convinced
myself I was a dog person but after
working with cats, I found I had
a connection with them.”
Lara: “Growing up near Boston, USA, my
family had a minimum of four cats. We
were always taking in strays, and injured
chipmunks and skunks. I think I was
pre-destined to be a multi-cat owner!”Q. Do they all get on?
Rachel: “Yes, very well. Occasionally,
there’s the odd little squabble — usually
because one wants to play and another
doesn’t — but this is very rare.”
Erica: “The siblings get on with each
other. Grace hangs around the cat flap
and beats Joni up every time he comes
through it. Although Elvis is anti-social
with us, he’s best friends with the
next-door neighbour’s cat.”
Tracy: “Yes — I think it’s helped that each
cat coming in has been younger. Oscar
gets on with everyone and is especially
good with kittens. It was a gamble
whether Jess would upset the balance,
but she slotted in like a jigsaw piece.”
Lara: “They are all really friendly. Persia
is the most socially awkward and can
get annoyed if any of the others come
too close.”Q. How did you go about
introducing each new cat?
Rachel: “I did lots of research, and took
advice from my daughter, a veterinary
nurse. I kept each newcomer separate in
my bedroom for a fortnight, with food,
water, a scratch post, litter tray, toys, and
Pet Remedy plug-in diffuser.”
Erica: “I got the kittens first and put
them in a room together, and they sorted
it out within a day. With Grace, I kept her
in a separate room for two weeks then
introduced her to each cat in turn.”
Tracy: “I kept them in the bathroom
until they were litter trained, then let
them explore.”
Lara: “I find putting them behind
a glass door or baby gate results in
more successful introductions. Feliway
Friends diffusers are fantastic. The
spray is handy too, as is Zylkene for
anxious cats.”ee,Rachel’s Devon
Rex Bandit.Erica’s cats Madge,
Bowie, and Joni.Most of Lara’s 21
cats are Ragdolls.“I think I was pre-destined
to be a multi-cat owner!”
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