Whether you’ve been a cat owner for years, or you are about to adopt your first kitten, you’ll want to get your apartment ready for your new feline companion. Here are three important things you can do to “catify” your apartment and make it more feline friendly.
Cat-Friendly Furnishings
Cats love to exercise and play, so having cat-friendly furniture is an important step to making your apartment a fun place for your pet. And if you don’t want your cat jumping on the counters or kitchen table, these additions can be a huge help for training purposes.
1. Cat Window Perch.
A perch in a window allows your cat the gratification of surveying your back yard or garden. Birds and squirrels are safe from your pet’s ferocious paws and jaws, yet your cat still gets to observe nature in all its glory. A window is like “cat TV” and provides hours of entertainment. A perch in a window should also be more interesting to your pet than the surfaces you want him to avoid.
2. Cat tents.
A cat tent or bungalow is another great furnishing to keep your cat busy and playful. Cats love burrowing into small spaces where they feel hidden and safe. You can also do double duty with a tent by hiding toys and treats inside for your cat to “hunt.”
3. Scratching posts.
A scratching post is an important furnishing for a cat-friendly apartment, particularly if you keep your cat indoors. Cats need a surface that’s safe and acceptable for them to scratch and knead, and a post is an ideal solution. Scratching posts aid in play, help keep claws sharp and healthy and discourage the scratching of your furniture.
Toys & Incentives Cats Love
Toys and incentives for your cat will also keep him happy and healthy. Indoor cats often need incentives for exercise. Using toys and treats, you can get your cat to hunt and play regularly, keeping him fit and active.
Hiding toys and treats throughout the apartment create a more natural environment for an indoor cat. In the wild, or as an outdoor cat, your pet would hunt for food. Being able to discover treats naturally is a great way to make your cat feel a little less like a pet and more like his wild ancestors.
Toy capsules are also a great way to keep your cat active. Treats can be hidden in these capsules and released as your cats bats and paws the toys across the floor.
A Few Little Extras
Even if your cat is an indoor kitty, that’s not to say that you can’t take him outside under supervision. Here are a few ideas for those outdoor extras that are as fun and exciting for you as they are for your feline companion.
1. Get a cat backpack.
A backpack carrier is a great way to let your cat enjoy the scents, sounds, and sights of the great outdoors while under your watchful eye. These carriers are designed so that cats are safely contained but can see the world around them through a window or a mesh panel. Some of these cat backpacks also have fasteners inside, so that you can clip on a leash.
2. Get a collar and leash.
Contrary to popular belief, many cats can learn to walk on a leash, and if you can get your cat to cooperate, this affords ample opportunity for fun and exercise. Hitch the leash to a run if you want to let your cat roam freely without supervision. If a dog can do it, why not a cat?
3. Consider an outdoor pen.
Catteries often use outdoor pens so that feline guests can get some fresh air and sunshine, so why not try this at home? An outdoor pen allows your cat to watch birds, catch insects and play in the grass, and you don’t have to worry about his safety.
These are just a few of the many things you can do to get your apartment ready for your cat. After all, cats deserve creature comforts as much as humans do!
