Cats are one of the most popular types of pets in the US, and they make wonderful companions for many individuals and families. While many can act very independently, they all still have specific needs that must be met for them to live happy and healthy lives.
Since cats can’t verbally tell us what they want, cat owners need to get to know their behavior and their needs. This guide will help new cat owners prepare their homes to become cat-friendly and ensure they have everything their cat needs.1
The 10-Step Guide to Making Your Home Cat-Friendly
1. Create Vertical Spaces
Most cats prefer to observe their environments from a high vantage point. They also enjoy climbing, so it’s important to incorporate plenty of higher spaces for them to climb up to and rest.
You don’t necessarily have to install a bulky cat tree to create vertical spaces. You can find plenty of DIY plans or purchase shelves for cats to climb. Expanding vertical spaces in your home will help your cat feel safe and encourage them to exercise.
2. Make Plenty of Hiding Spaces
Cats love small, cozy spaces that help them feel safe and secure. They’ll appreciate secluded spots where they can consistently rest undisturbed. You can buy fancy cat beds, but many cats are also content with DIY cat caves, shoeboxes, and other cardboard boxes with entrance holes cut into them.
Place these hiding spaces throughout the house at varying heights. Your cat will love the variety of options and feel calmer knowing they have several places to hide.
3. Use Enrichment Toys
Cats need plenty of playtime and fun toys that engage their instincts. Having a set of high-quality toys can alleviate boredom and prevent cats from engaging in destructive and unwanted behaviors.
Many cats enjoy batting around treat-dispensing toys, while others may prefer solving treat puzzles. If your cat likes catnip or silvervine, sprinkle them on toys and hide them around the house for your cat to hunt down.
4. Have Enough Litter Boxes
Most cats naturally take to a litter box and require very little training. However, litter box issues can easily cause them to stop using them. So, ensuring you have enough litter boxes in the house is vital. As a general rule, you’ll need one litter box per cat plus one extra. So, if you have two cats, you should have at least three litter boxes in your home.
Using the right kind of cat litter is also important because some cats can be picky about the texture of their litter. You’ll also want to ensure there’s always enough clean litter in the litterbox for your cat to use.
Lastly, make sure that the litter boxes are located in a quiet and secluded place. They should be in areas that don’t have a lot of foot traffic and make cats feel safe while they use them. They should also be away from food and water bowls.
5. Disperse Feeding Areas
In the wild, cats must hunt for their food and look for drinking water. So, despite the trend for double bowls, most cats prefer to be fed from a bowl separate from their water bowl and don’t need to share with cat companions. Food and water bowls should be placed in different areas rather than together.
Cats eat multiple small meals per day rather than one large meal. This replicates their habit of hunting small rodents, around 10 each day. If you can’t feed your cat several times a day, you can use an automatic feeder with a timer.
6. Set Up Scratching Posts
Cats have an instinctive need to scratch. They scratch to mark territory around the home, express pent-up emotions, and maintain their claws. If you don’t have scratching surfaces in your home, your cat will eventually turn to your furniture, doorposts, and other parts of your home.
Different cats have preferences for the texture of scratching surfaces. Many cats like sisal, while others might enjoy cardboard. Most cats prefer tall, sturdy objects to dig their claws into and secure a good grip. However, some prefer a flat horizontal surface. So, try placing different kinds of scratching posts throughout your home. You can also rub catnip on the surfaces to encourage your cat to use them.
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7. Place Observation Points Near Windows
Many cats enjoy watching the outside world from a safe distance. You can place cat trees or window perches near windows to provide opportunities for your cat to look outside. If you can, hanging a bird feeder close to the window can attract birds to entertain your cat.
Some people have also installed catios, which are small, caged outdoor spaces where cats can spend time observing or sunbathing.
8. Set Up a Routine
Cats enjoy a routine that fits the flow of the household, so it is crucial to offer predictable, positive human interactions each day. They will get excited when it is time for food, play, or snuggling up in front of the TV with you.
9. Be Mindful of Scents
Cats have very sensitive noses, and cat owners must be mindful of them. Some fragrances and air fresheners can be too strong or irritating to cats. Common scents most cats dislike are citrus, rosemary, mint, and lavender.
You’ll also want to stick to a litter box cleaning schedule because cat urine odors are particularly strong. Most cats won’t use a full litter box and can start relieving themselves outside of it if it’s too dirty.
Although cats are picky about strong aromas, they generally enjoy the smell of catnip and silver vine. Because they don’t have a strong odor, they’re not irritating to humans, so they’re great to sprinkle on toys and hide throughout the house for your cat to enjoy.
10. Hide Potentially Dangerous Household Items
A cat’s curiosity can unintentionally get it into some trouble. Common household items can be harmful if ingested, so hiding them in a safe, unreachable location is important. You can hide them in cabinets or boxes with a tightly fitted lid or a lock.
Some common household items that need to be hidden are the following:
- Cleaning products
- Medicine
- Makeup and beauty products
- Mothballs
- Batteries
- Plant fertilizers and pesticides
- Detergents
Make sure to keep your kitchen counter and dining table clear of food. Ensure that your cabinet doors are heavy or difficult for cats to open. If you think your cat could get to them easily, you can install a child-proof lock.
Conclusion
When bringing home a new cat, you’ll have to make a few modifications to your home to ensure it’s cat-friendly. Fortunately, there are plenty of inconspicuous ways to make accommodations so your home doesn’t look and feel too different.
It may take several weeks for a new cat to become comfortable in a new home, and making the proper adjustments can help the transition be as smooth as possible. If you notice that your cat is still afraid or anxious after some time, you can enlist the help of a reputable cat behaviorist to help you create a safe and secure environment for your cat.
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Featured Image Credit: golubovystock, Shutterstock
Contents
- The 10-Step Guide to Making Your Home Cat-Friendly
- 1. Create Vertical Spaces
- 2. Make Plenty of Hiding Spaces
- 3. Use Enrichment Toys
- 4. Have Enough Litter Boxes
- 5. Disperse Feeding Areas
- 6. Set Up Scratching Posts
- 7. Place Observation Points Near Windows
- 8. Set Up a Routine
- 9. Be Mindful of Scents
- 10. Hide Potentially Dangerous Household Items
- Conclusion
2 Responses
Great article on creating a cat-friendly home! As a cat owner, I found the 10-step guide incredibly helpful. I especially appreciate the emphasis on vertical spaces and hiding spots – my cats love perching high and having cozy nooks to retreat to. The tip about dispersing feeding areas is something I hadn’t considered before, but it makes perfect sense given cats’ natural hunting instincts. I’ll definitely be implementing some of these ideas, particularly setting up more scratching posts and creating observation points near windows. Thanks for the comprehensive advice on making our feline friends feel safe and stimulated in their environment!
Hello Helen,
thank you so much for your lovely message. We are very happy that you found this article interesting and that it will help you make your cat’s life better!