Making your Home Cat Friendly

This article first appeared on iCatCare here.

Your cat’s happiness is tremendously influenced by the way you behave and how much life-style you supply – because the cat is a territorial species, the setting is all the things! First of all, subsequently, it’s worthwhile to get the cat-related tools and amenities proper, notably in the event you hold your cat solely indoors or give it restricted entry exterior. Even in the event you haven’t made the choice to have a housebound cat, you could have to restrict yours indoors as a result of unwell well being or have one which chooses to solely exit often as a result of it’s nervous or getting previous. Having stated all that, there isn’t any purpose why the next strategies for a cat pleasant dwelling shouldn’t apply to all pet cats, even these with free entry to outside!

Your cat’s capacity to decide on, primarily based on private likes and dislikes, is compromised when you’re in sole cost of constructing the choices, reminiscent of the place your cat feeds or the place it goes to the bathroom. If you base these selections on purely human issues (or what you understand to be essential to your cat) then you may be making the cat’s life rather less than good.

Try to fulfill particular wants

As cats have such particular wants it isn’t sufficient simply to offer some meals, shelter and love. While these parts are as essential as ever to your cat, it’s the high quality and amount of every that’s the key. There are sensible challenges concerning the provisions you make to your cat within the dwelling: What form of cat mattress must you present? Where must you find the scratching posts? What form of litter amenities would your cat need?

A cat pleasant dwelling takes into consideration the wants of the cat as a really totally different species to man. It supplies an setting that’s secure and stimulating.

Most properties aren’t essentially the perfect habitat for a home cat, so provisions must be made to cater for his or her particular wants. You could have heard the phrase ‘environmental enrichment’ with regard to conserving a cat completely satisfied indoors. (Click here to see an environmental enrichment article) This principally means making provisions inside a cat’s confined setting that stimulate and problem and allow it to carry out pure behaviour. Living indoors virtually routinely deprives a cat of the power to behave naturally and expertise the problem and frustration that happens in an out of doors life-style. Indoor cats will adapt to their setting however can fall sufferer to various bodily or emotional issues related to boredom and lack of exercise. In the absence of the problem of searching, exploring and social contact, cats will fill the void of exercise with these which can be available reminiscent of sleeping, grooming and consuming. It isn’t any coincidence that indoor cats develop bodily issues related to a sedentary life-style, for instance, urinary tract illness, over-grooming issues and consuming issues.

A cat pleasant dwelling

A cat-friendly house is about compromises that you may make in order that the setting fits you each. However, in case you are a lover of up to date minimalistic interiors you might be most likely going to have to regulate greater than most to offer all the things your cat wants. Open-plan dwelling areas with clear strains and an total lack of muddle would be the foundation of the fashionable model, however this couldn’t be additional eliminated out of your cat’s pure habitat. Although the home cat is very adaptable to most landscapes, it nonetheless requires a level of camouflage to allow it to roam comparatively inconspicuously. This camouflage could be discovered virtually wherever aside from the modern dwelling area; it is rather arduous to disguise a cat in an empty room! The barely extra cluttered house is a haven of potentialities for a cat, providing excessive locations to sit down and loads of locations to vanish from view.

Keeping secure

While it’s important to stimulate and problem cats inside the dwelling there may be additionally an obligation of care to maintain them secure. There are many family home equipment, options and merchandise that might be probably harmful. It is essential subsequently to ‘danger assess’ the house regularly to maintain these risks to a minimal. There is a contented medium nonetheless between overwhelming anxiousness about all potential dangers and an off-the-cuff laxity. An proprietor’s fixed concern for the wellbeing and security of his or her cat could cause it to develop a way of helplessness and incapability to operate usually with out the proprietor current. Equally, an irresponsible angle to security by the proprietor might result in a tragic accident. (Click here for information on household hazards)

The cat flap

While discussing security it’s price mentioning the best problem to the cat’s notion of safety within the dwelling. If cats have any entry outside it could be facilitated by way of a cat flap. Cats typically see the flap as a susceptible level within the defences of their dwelling the place any invader might probably achieve entry. This can result in a state of fixed vigilance and uneasiness and a particular compromise to the person’s sense of security within the dwelling. (Click here for information on how to choose and using a cat flap) If your cat has restricted entry exterior or chooses to enterprise out solely in your presence, it could be preferable to dispense with the cat flap altogether. Otherwise, it could be smart to find all of your cat’s essential issues effectively away from this potential hazard zone.

In order to offer a cat pleasant dwelling, it’s worthwhile to perceive the objects or provisions inside it that your cat considers essential. These ‘assets’ ought to be accessible in enough quantity and kind to enchantment to even essentially the most discerning particular person. ‘Resources’ inside the dwelling characterize all these issues that present nourishment, leisure, stimulation and safety to your cat.

Food

Some of the important provisions are sometimes taken without any consideration however even meals could be supplied in a cat-friendly manner. You have quite a few meals bowls to select from – ceramic or glass meals bowls are most likely essentially the most good choice as plastic receptacles scratch simply and may give off a slight odour that your cat could not like. Stainless metal is hygienic and simple to scrub however, in case your cat wears a collar, the fixed clink of any disc or bell towards the metallic could be very off-putting. The bowl dimension or form relies by yourself private style, though many cats could be messy if consuming from a flat plate and like to push meals round a bowl that accommodates the meals higher. The solely exception to the plate rule is the Persian or any breed with a flat face which will choose theirs as shallow as potential.

Cats would naturally spend as much as six hours a day foraging, stalking, catching and consuming prey. They would eat ten or extra mice a day, most likely involving about thirty makes an attempt at seize. Therefore the predictable availability of meals solely twice a day in a meals bowl within the kitchen doesn’t characterize any type of problem in any respect and leaves the typical pet cat with a void of a number of hours that it could must fill with different actions.

Water

The majority of householders all the time present water in the identical location because the meals bowl. Cats naturally hunt for meals and seek for water on separate events to fulfill both starvation or thirst. The presence of water close to the meals can really deter some cats from ingesting enough fluid, notably if they’re on a dry weight loss program. Finding water elsewhere could be extraordinarily rewarding and there ought to be not less than ‘one water container per cat within the family plus one additional’ in numerous areas away from meals. Some cats object to the chemical scent from faucet water so filtered or boiled water can be utilized. Pet ingesting fountains and even glass tumblers are standard ingesting vessels for cats however common bowls can be engaging if they’re introduced appropriately and are giant sufficient that your cat can drink with out touching its whiskers towards the perimeters. Cats just like the bowl to be full to the brim in order that they’ll lap with out placing their heads down.

High resting locations

Cats are pure climbers and it’s important to your cat to have the ability to relaxation and observe its environment from excessive locations. It’s arduous to beat a staircase in a house as this offers entry to a ‘excessive place’ and perceived security. If your property is single-storey then your cat’s instinctive want to leap up excessive when at risk must be fulfilled with shelving, cabinets or different potential platforms. Any excessive resting locations offered ought to be positioned in such a place that the cat is ready to get down; it’s all the time simpler to climb up!

Here are some strategies for appropriate areas:

• Tall scratching posts can be found as modular items and they’re typically floor-to-ceiling constructions. Many present platforms and enclosures for resting and characterize difficult climbing frames.

• Freestanding cabinets and wardrobes have giant areas the place a cat can relaxation or conceal in a excessive place. It could also be essential to position furnishings close by to present the cat a midway platform for ease of entry.

• Shelves could be constructed particularly for the cat’s use. It is essential to offer a non-slip floor as many wood cabinets are extraordinarily slippery. Bookshelves and different shelving also can present sanctuary if a small space is cleared to your cat’s use. Keeping costly breakable ornaments on cabinets or mantelpieces will not be advisable!

Private locations

Taking trip from social calls for is a vital a part of on a regular basis life for a cat so secret hideaways are an essential facility. These could be created by making area accessible beneath the mattress, inside cabinets or wardrobes or behind the couch, for instance. Your cat ought to by no means be disturbed whereas utilizing a non-public space until you’ve gotten any purpose to consider that it might not be effectively.

If you make your cat’s non-public place a heat one too, like the underside of the airing cabinet, you might be offering five-star lodging!

Beds

Cats spend the vast majority of their time asleep so it is smart to concentrate on what provisions you make to your cat’s relaxation and leisure. Cats favour heat locations to sleep and plenty of choose them to have a robust acquainted scent of their homeowners to present a way of security and safety. Not all cats want the reassurance of their proprietor’s scent when they’re resting so they might have a number of sleeping areas that rotate in accordance with the place of the solar. An assortment of beds ought to, subsequently, be offered in heat, sunny, quiet or communal areas. These don’t must be particular beds designed for the aim as the typical cat is completely content material with its proprietor’s mattress, chairs or sofas, so you might want to place some heat bedding in your furnishings in your cat’s favorite sleeping spot. Make positive any cat bedding offered is washable however don’t clear it too steadily, until closely dirty, as cats gravitate in direction of surfaces with a well-known scent. Radiator hammocks are nice for these heat-seeking cats (Siamese and Burmese for instance); they hook onto a radiator to allow the cat to realize the utmost profit from the warmth however do keep in mind to maintain the radiator on a reasonably low setting!

If you need to buy a cat mattress then positioning it appropriately would be the key to its enchantment. Place it in a raised place (many cats really feel somewhat susceptible sleeping on the ground) close to a supply of warmth or an space in daylight. If your cat likes its personal area then guarantee beds are offered in quiet areas away from thoroughfares. Those with three excessive sides that encompass the cat will hold draughts away and provides a way of camouflage to keep away from attracting consideration (even a cardboard field with some thick bedding would additionally do the trick).

Your mattress is probably the last word delight to your cat – with the heat of a quilt and a robust scent of you! This supplies an amazing sense of safety and allows your cat to sleep deeply within the information that it’s secure. If your bed room does grow to be an essential useful resource nonetheless it can be a spot of battle in case you have a multi-cat family as people compete for one of the best spot. Providing heated pads or raised cat beds in different bedrooms and even allocating area in your personal room for such additions could go some solution to discovering a wise compromise.

Litter trays

Litter trays are a essential evil, completely important in case your cat is housebound or has restricted entry outside and extremely advisable even when your cat is free to roam. (Click here for information on how to choose and use a litter tray and litter).

The place of the litter tray is essential. It ought to be positioned in a discreet nook, away from meals and water, full-length home windows and busy thoroughfares. Cats may even see exterior doorways and cat flaps as probably harmful locations so finding them as far-off as potential from these worrying areas could be splendid to your cat.

One tray for each cat in your family, plus one additional ideally ought to be positioned in several discreet areas away from meals. This doesn’t imply that every cat will routinely select their very own tray however it’s going to give a common sense that there’s loads of selection. These trays could be coated or open however it will be important that the areas they’re positioned characterize a spot of security the place the cats don’t really feel susceptible. A daily cleansing regime is crucial, eradicating faeces and urine dirty litter not less than as soon as a day and cleansing the complete tray weekly. Some cats discover polythene tray liners disagreeable, notably in the event that they spend a number of time scraping within the tray, as this might lead to them getting their claws caught within the liner. Litter deodorants also can introduce a robust alien scent into the tray, so you might discover your cat prefers a well-maintained tray with none added perfume.

Scratching posts/areas

Cats must scratch to take care of their claws and mark their territory. If provisions aren’t made for this then cats will scratch objects of furnishings. Scratching posts ought to be as tall as potential to permit your cat to scratch vertically at full stretch. Panels could be connected to partitions on the acceptable peak if area is at a premium. Some cats choose to scratch horizontal surfaces so quite a lot of scratching areas ought to be offered.

Social contact

Many cats benefit from the firm of their very own species, beneath the best circumstances, and a few sources of recommendation actively encourage homeowners to amass multiple cat when conserving them indoors. However, issues can come up when the people attain social maturity (normally between the ages of eighteen months and 4 years) and discover themselves competing for restricted assets inside a territory that’s comparatively small. These issues can probably be minimised by offering plentiful assets within the dwelling and conserving the suitable variety of cats for the scale of the property. A generally quoted system to calculate the suitable variety of assets is ‘one per cat within the family plus one additional, positioned in several areas’. There isn’t any system for the advisable variety of cats per sq. metre ground area however frequent sense ought to prevail. Keeping seven cats in a two-bedroom flat, for instance, is asking for hassle! Townhouses additionally characterize a uniquely difficult setting for cats with the slender staircases main to every ground turning into areas the place battle can typically happen.

Social contact with people is essential however the degree will differ in accordance with the character of the cat. It is greatest to permit your cat to dictate the extent of interplay and to provoke many of the contact. Owners which can be always approaching their cats for petting could cause irritation or, often, misery. Predatory play, grooming and verbal communication represents essential social contact between proprietor and cat and is usually higher obtained than ‘kissing and cuddling’. Some cats benefit from the firm of canines, so firm can come in several kinds!

Predatory play

Every cat is a person however most choose toys and video games which can be as near the pure searching expertise as potential. Toys that transfer randomly are nice; these which can be immobile and left mendacity round quickly grow to be predictable and boring. Toys constructed from fur materials or feathers which can be of the same dimension to prey animals are standard, as are these impregnated with catnip – a herb that cats can discover notably engaging. All ought to be saved away and introduced out infrequently to take care of their novelty. Many cats get pleasure from retrieval video games and this may characterize a possibility for social contact in addition to play. (Click here for more information about playing with your cat)

Vegetation

A supply of grass is crucial for the home cat to behave as a pure solution to clear hair from the intestine that has been ingested throughout grooming; some cats could vomit after consuming grass however that is completely regular. It could be bought as commercially accessible “kitty grass” or pots of grass and herbs could be grown particularly for this function. (Click here to find a list of poisonous house plants)

Scent stimulation

About two-thirds of cats reply to the scent of catnip (dried catmint Nepeta cataria) which may produce a brief euphoric state in cats. If it’s used sparingly it’s a enjoyable distraction. Catnip toys can simply be made at dwelling and used to good benefit for ten minutes a day or each different day, for instance. Bags of dry catnip could be bought which tends to be stronger than catnip sprays or treats.

Novel/difficult objects

It’s good for home cats to be uncovered to new issues from time to time, in any other case, a relentless, unchanging setting can grow to be too predictable and a few would possibly then discover new experiences or conditions worrying.

New objects could be introduced into the house regularly to problem your cat’s sense of scent and need to discover novel issues. Wood, stone, vegetation, cardboard bins or paper baggage, for instance, could be positioned in numerous areas and left to your cat to resolve whether or not or not they’re price exploring. Even for these cats that don’t go exterior, it’s nonetheless essential that they’re often vaccinated and handled for parasites, as objects might probably have been involved with different cats. Stimulating your cat’s senses is extraordinarily essential and this additionally contains novel sounds however watch out for enjoying loud music; a cat’s listening to is extraordinarily delicate and this might be distressing.

Windows to the skin world

Windows are a big viewing level for the nice outside however, opposite to most individuals’s understanding, cats normally choose smaller home windows in darker rooms if given the selection. Large expanses of glass look like complicated to cats; they see the backyard or the road exterior and all of the potential risks that they harbour however fail to know that they’re secure indoors. It all comes all the way down to camouflage. Glass doesn’t give the cat any alternative for concealment whereas it checks out the territory and whether it is full-length then the last word horror could happen and a cat could come head to head with next-door’s tomcat on the opposite facet.

If you suppose this might be an issue to your cat you then would possibly need to think about attaching sheets of ornamental static movie (no adhesive wanted) to the decrease portion of full-length glass that opaque the view however nonetheless allow the room to stay mild. To your cat, it will appear like a extra strong defence. In conjunction with this, you possibly can guarantee your cat has a excessive perch someplace close to the window from which it will possibly view the outside from a place of comparative security. If you don’t fancy placing any movie over a full-length window then the strategic positioning of potted home vegetation close to the glass could be sufficient camouflage to your cat to really feel somewhat safer.

Fresh air

Don’t underestimate the worth of recent air, notably if there’s a smoker in the home. Grills over your home windows, both home-made or bought particularly for the aim, will permit recent air to enter your home. This alone will carry difficult and attention-grabbing smells from exterior and be a spotlight of consideration for a bored home cat.

Synthetic pheromones

Feline facial pheromones are essential indicators of familiarity and safety secreted naturally from glands in a cat’s face. An artificial model of part of these pheromones frequent to all home cats is accessible. Feliway®, manufactured by Ceva Animal Health Ltd, could be bought in spray and ‘plug-in’ diffuser kind. This can have a helpful calming impact in your cat in the event you transfer home, embellish, add furnishings, go to the vet and even in the event you think about introducing a brand new cat. The presence of a Diffuser could even chill out your cat sufficiently to advertise play, notably if there are different cats within the family. It is essential to not rely too closely on the presence of Feliway® in case your cat turns into anxious. There could also be an underlying trigger for this emotion that ought to be investigated by your veterinarian.

‘Cat TV’

Some tv programmes could be attention-grabbing to your cat however don’t presume that it’s going to discover all the things you watch equally enthralling. A latest research discovered that cats’ consideration to tv was at its best when small prey animals or different cats in pleasant conditions have been proven. While cats definitely watch the display screen and infrequently seem very within the squeaks and tweets of wildlife documentaries, it could trigger frustration if they’re unable to catch the prey that they’ve noticed. Dedicated cat DVDs have been produced that put collectively a sequence of all of the sights and sounds that appeal to cats, to enchantment to the housebound, however extra proof is required to substantiate that they’re genuinely enriching and so they shouldn’t be relied upon as a sole supply of leisure.

The ways in which an setting could be enriched for a cat are many and diverse primarily based on the rules described; you might be restricted solely by your creativeness! An understanding of the provisions essential for a cat pleasant dwelling will be certain that your cat stay as completely satisfied and wholesome as potential.

I’m the feline behaviour specialist at feline charity ‘International Cat Care’. We are about participating, educating and empowering individuals all through the world to enhance the well being and welfare of cats by sharing recommendation, coaching and fervour.