Creating a Cat Friendly Home

By Katharine Babatzanis RVN

To create a cat-friendly home, we need to be aware of the natural and necessary behaviours cats would normally display in the wild. Apart from the basic must-haves (i.e. food, water, and a bed) here are a few other things to consider:

Places To Hide

Cats need to have a quiet space which they can call their own and where they can go to when they feel stressed. Some cats will retreat under things (i.e. lounges, wardrobes) and some are content with going into things (i.e. cardboard box, igloo bed). Make sure that spaces that are dangerous (i.e. under a stove) are closed off to avoid a terrible situation. Once they have found a spot they feel safe in do not disturb them, they will come out when they feel ready (or possibly around dinner time).

High Perches

This allows cats to "observe their land" while also giving them another safe place to hide. Providing something like a Cat Tree for your cat not only gives them this safe space to go but it can help to keep them off places you may not appreciate them being.

Scratching Post

Cats in the wild would normally use a tree to scratch (which helps to shed their dead nail sheaths and maintain the health of their nails), stretch and mark their territory. Providing your cat with a scratching post at home will allow them to continue this healthy behaviour without destroying your furniture. There are a variety of different scratching posts and mats out there. From ones that are made from carpet to string and ones that lay flat on the floor to ones that stand up right.

Litter Box

Cats adapt quickly to using a littler tray. They are extremely clean (and sometimes fussy) creatures, so keeping a clean litter tray for them is a must if you want to avoid any undesirable toileting from your cat. Privacy is another aspect to consider with your cats toilet habits. You may need to invest in an 'enclosed' or 'hooded' litter tray, or simply place the tray in a quiet area of the house which is out of the way of any human foot traffic while still being quick and easy for your cat to get to.

Windows

Windows are a great place for cats to get a lot of their visual and mental stimulation. Having a piece of furniture under or near a window allows your cat to look out at the world around them. They may discover other little creatures and the cat's best friend - The Sun! However, be careful if you have a cat with light-coloured fur. These cats tend to have more skin exposed (i.e. on their ears or nose). This makes them more at risk of developing sunburn. This, of course, doesn't mean keeping your cat out of the sun altogether as the sun’s rays and warmth will keep your kitty happy.

Variety Of Toys

As with scratching posts, there are a wide variety of toys you can buy that will keep your feline friend happy. There are ones where the cat can entertain and keep itself busy (i.e. ping pong balls) and ones that allow you to interact with your cat (i.e. teaser toys). You may find from time to time that your cat may get bored with a certain toy. To prevent this, it’s good to have many different styles of toys on hand that you will rotate every few days or so. That way you will keep your cat not only physically fit but mentally fit by providing them with different stimulation.

PAPT Creating a Cat Friendly Home.pdf

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