How can I make my house fun for my cat?







How to create an environment that allows your agile, playful and sensitive cat to explore, play and relax





1. Cat and surface: vertical space with your cat

Cats need a vertical space; Their need to find a perch started with their wild ancestors. And make no mistake, your pet still has plenty of wild life left in it. Scientists say that there are few genetic differences between tabby and wild cats. 


In fact, there is debate about whether cats fit the definition of "domestic" as commonly used, says Wes Warren, PhD, a professor of genetics at the Genome Institute at Washington University in St. Louis said.



  • "We don't think they're really family members," Warren told the Smithsonian. Instead, he describes cats as "half-domesticated".


For multi-cat families, providing vertical space will be even more important. Creating a horizontal space makes it easier for your cat to share territory without conflict and can go a long way in creating harmony in a multi-cat home. Give your pet panthers the attention they crave with cat trees and cat walks. 


Armarkat's beautiful cat tree includes perches, baskets, ramps and hanging sisal ropes, providing gazebos and hideaways to entertain your cat and provide vertical space. (Starts at $75, armarkat.com)






2. If I am in my position, I sit: the cat in the box

Your cat benefits from the safety and comfort of an enclosed space. A cat's standard reaction to stressful situations is to run and hide. The boxes provide a safe enough area to retreat to where the cat can see without being seen. 


Of course, this also has advantages from a wildlife point of view: cats are stealthy predators, and the box provides a well-hidden place from which to shoot prey (or joints your feet).



Anthropologist Claudia Vinke of the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands, studied stress in cats at home. Working at a Dutch animal shelter, she gives shelter to a group of cats who arrive at shelters where others get none. 


The study found a significant difference in stress levels between cats with and without crates. Coated cats adapt more quickly to their environment and are less stressed. They are also more interested in interacting with their caregivers.



But wait, you might be thinking, my cat is not stressed; He really likes the box. It could also be a heat issue. For cats, our room temperature is pretty darn cold!




A National Cattle Council study found that the ideal temperature for indoor cats is between 86 and 97 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the temperature zone in which cats are "comfortable", meaning they do not need to generate heat to stay warm or expend energy to stay warm. It's also 20 degrees warmer than ours, 


which is a big part of why cats like to bask in the sun, even on hot days. This may also explain, in part, why they like to invest in smaller boxes. Cardboard is insulating, so putting it in a small box can keep them nice and warm, plus take the stress out of it and provide a secret place to plan a secret attack. 


Try any box, Dezi & Roo's Hide and Sneak Tunnel combines the fun of a crinkle paper bag with the fun of a cardboard box and a special tunnel ($11, deziroo.com), or the beautiful, Himalayan make the best of the furry cat cage from Dharma Dog Karma. Cat ($70, dharmadogkarmacat.com).





3. Cat fever: why your cat wants to scratch

Grooming is important to your cat's health; this is how they remove the outer sheath of their feet, mark their territory with sight and smell (cats have scent glands on their feet), stretch their bodies and extend their legs and arms them, the Humane Society of the United States explains.




Ensure that your cat's need to scratch does not conflict with your desire for clutter-free furniture by providing ample and adequate space for your cat to scratch. And that's the point: while the temptation may be to hide a soap dispenser in the spare room, it won't work for your cat. 


If you want your cat to use their litter box, they should be placed in a public area, such as the bedroom. Prevue Pet Products, who created posts that will appeal to your cat and look great next to your bed, makes sure that you and your cat can be happy with this set ($90, prevuepet.com). Also try Sofa Scratchers ($50, sofascratcher.com), a sisal scratching post that meets sofa corner protectors. Just slide it under the legs of your sofa to keep it in place!






4. It's game time! Why your cat needs to play

Cats retain their hunting skills. Although they have plenty of food provided by their slaves - I mean humans - they will still go out and kill mice, insects, birds and anything else they like if they get the chance. By keeping your cat indoors, you can ensure that they will not fall prey to predators or speeding cars, but it is up to you to engage your cat in a game that allows him to enter, play with him and, finally, " kill. "him. By using a wand toy, 


you can engage your cat in a form of play that is both mentally and physically satisfying. Just be sure to let your cat finally catch and kill him anything otherwise the game will leave him unsatisfied. Try the amazing Eco Catty Pillar made from pork products, a sustainable and natural toy made from natural wool and hemp twine. 


Cats enjoy the texture of lanolin that loves to beat and chase it as it turns! In addition, it was done by rural Nepalese women, who support poor families. $1.50 from every purchase goes to help a Nepali family in need! ($16, honestpetproducts.com).





5. Jumping: Cats need exercise

Cats are natural athletes and have an innate need to jump, a habit that is often discouraged. Give your cat a place to jump without hitting things by adding a cat shelf. 


A cat litter also gives your indoor cat a chance to exercise, something many indoor cats lack, says Mieshelle Nagelschneider, a feline behaviorist.


Try Hangman's cute little wall-mounted cat shelf, designed to help your cat reach higher and promote good grooming habits. Holds up to 30 pounds. (Starts at $65, hangmanproducts.com)