Preview
Creation Date
Spring 2026
Description
Cats are independent by nature, showing love and affection on their terms. But what happens when you’re not around? Do cats benefit from having another feline companion? My research will explore how living in multi-cat households compared to solitary affects cats’ health and wellbeing, including medical conditions and behavior patterns. I plan to gather data by implementing questionnaires in participating veterinary hospitals’ exam rooms, where owners will provide consent and answer questions about their cats’ health status, behaviors (positive and negative), and household setup. My image above reflects my original prediction that cats benefit emotionally, physically, and socially when living in a multi-cat household. My hypotheses are that multi-cat ownership will be associated with reduced incidences of negative behaviors and calmer temperaments compared to single-cat households. While multi-cat environments may not be ideal in every situation, this research project highlights the potential emotional, behavioral, and health advantages of feline companionship.