Steps to creating a cat-friendly home

When it comes to the basics of cat care, new cat owners might be at a loss as to what needs to be adjusted for the arrival of their new feline friend. The fact of the matter is that your lifestyle at the moment might not make your home the ideal place for your cat. Since cats are territorial animals, their happiness depends on the environment in which they live. For this reason, we will discuss how creating a cat-friendly home can be done in a few easy steps.

In order to adapt your home to your cat’s needs, you might need to invest in a few pieces of equipment and toys. Of course, just as humans, each cat has a personality of its own, so the following advice may not apply to your cat 100%. We suggest you read these ideas and assess which ones might apply to your precious kitty.

Step 1: Try to satisfy your cat’s individual needs

As we mentioned, not all cats are the same, and some toys that you personally like or feel are right for your cat may not be as interesting to your cat in practice. It certainly makes sense for you to designate a place for feeding and littering, but if you notice your cat does not seem to enjoy that placement, it is best for the cat and your peace of mind to make a compromise that will suit you both.

By ‘cooperating’ with your cat and its preferences, you will make them happier and more relaxed, which will make you a more content cat owner in the long run.

Furthermore, some cats have special needs that should be satisfied in a cat-friendly home. For instance, a young kitten will be more disruptive but also more malleable to adjust to your habits. On the other hand, keeping your aging cat safe is bound to entail more precautionary measures than what a young cat may require.

Namely, with age, the cat’s sense of balance can deteriorate, making climbing and jumping a potential cause of injury or other accidents. So, if you notice your cat is no longer as agile and deft as it was may have been, be sure to limit its access to high places from which it could slip and fall. 

Having a scratching post in your home is a good distractor for your mischievous cat.

Other than this issue, there are other things you should consider for creating a safe and cat-friendly home. So, you need to figure out what sort of bed will suit your cat, what kind of a scratching post you need to get, the litter compartment(s) that you need, etc.

Step 2: Do everything to make your home safe for your cat

As we mentioned, your cat’s age should influence the placement of furniture, appliances, and other elements in your home. However, these decisions should be balanced with keeping your home an exciting and stimulating environment, especially if your cat is entirely or mainly home-bound.

When it comes to safety, it is crucial you keep some household appliances and products out of your cat’s reach since they can be potentially dangerous for your cat’s health in several ways. So, a half-faulty toaster or some other appliance that could attract your cat to scratch it has to be removed or put in an inaccessible place.

Be sure to check whether your appliances and decorative elements are safe for your kitty.

With this said, make sure you do not let the concern over your cat’s safety get the better of you. Some conscientious cat owners sometimes go overboard and worry about their cat’s safety excessively.

Although this may not sound wrong at face value, sometimes it happens that this concern gets transferred to the cat’s personality as well as emotional evaluation of your attitude to their behavior. This can, in turn, lead to the cat becoming unnecessarily anxious, afraid, and cautious, especially in your absence, which can be a quite excruciating emotional state both for your pet and you as an owner.

Step 3: Figure out a spot that will be your cat’s little corner for creating a cat-friendly home

Sectioning part of your bedroom or living room as your cat’s spot will make the cat feel more comfortable in your home. Knowing that there is a place where she can rest and play any time of the day works towards creating an atmosphere of safety, acceptance, and joy.

Your cat will be happy that it has its own corner inside your home.

Designating a spot that will be your cat’s is relatively easy. All you need to do is to make or purchase one of the cozy and comfortable cat beds that can be the centerpiece of her little safe sanctuary, so to speak. You can then introduce toys, cat flaps, scratching posts, and other fun items that will boost your cat’s activity levels.

Step 4: Inquire about the best food for your cat’s age and health

Although the question of diet for keeping your cat’s health may not seem like a factor that influences the safety of your home, from the cat’s perspective, this is not a minor issue. How so? A cat-friendly home is only safe when your cat has access to the necessary nutrients, vitamins, and fibers to maintain the health of their muscles, bones, and organisms in general.

So, this means it is not enough to feed your cat the remains from your own meals. Cats are carnivorous animals that require a constant supply of energy-rich foods in order to function properly and prosper in your home. Essentially, it is only when your cat is fed properly that you can truly proceed to other steps to creating a cat-friendly home. For this reason, we have included this as one of the factors that you should take into consideration.

Photos used

https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-brown-and-black-med-coated-cat-laying-on-gray-ottoman-674570/

https://www.pexels.com/photo/orange-cat-sleeping-on-white-bed-1560424/

https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-photography-of-white-cat-besides-christmas-lights-735423/

https://www.pexels.com/photo/photography-of-gray-tabby-cat-978555/