Cats, like babies, don’t come with an instruction manual. Usually you come home with a few necessities: a litter box and litter, food dishes (and food), a cat bed, scratcher, and some toys.
Coming home with the bare necessities for your cat isn’t necessarily a bad thing! Because a lot of what you will be getting them in the future depends on your cat’s specific needs. And you won’t know what those are until you get to know them better. It’s a lifetime process, and a rewarding one. But there are certain things to keep in mind along the way. Here are some things to consider that you may not think of right away.
Cats Need Room to Move
A cat growing up in the wild has a territory that could be as much as 750 acres. Even house cats who go outdoors may roam up to 150 acres. So your cat may feel confined inside a house or apartment — unless you take measures to give them room to be active. And this is doable even in a small apartment.
If you don’t have much square footage to offer (or even if you do), your cat will probably appreciate vertical space. Every cat should have at least one cat tree or tower, but there are other ways you could (and should) create vertical space. You could use shelves created just for cats. You could rearrange your furniture to give your cat the opportunity to spend time on top of a dresser or the refrigerator. If you find your cat spending time on a high surface, and it’s safe for them to be there, add a cat bed to let them know it’s their spot now.
Cats Need a Private Space
Even the most social cat needs privacy on occasion. And a cat who is shy needs a lot of it. Humans, on the other hand, want to know where their cat is every moment of the day. And it seems like every time a human finds a cat’s hiding place, it’s ruined for the cat.
But there is a happy medium that will satisfy both humans and cats. Let the cat have their private space. Once you find what it is, as long as it’s not dangerous for them, just leave it. Don’t make a big deal out of finding them there. In fact, don’t even make any deal out of it. Just let them be.
If you don’t want your cat to make certain places their private spot, such as under the bed, figure out a way to block it off. And when they gravitate to a different spot, don’t ever bother them while they’re there. Cats all need a certain amount of autonomy, and their private space is part of that.
Litter Box Placement Is for Cat, Not Human Convenience
Often people want to put their cat’s litter box somewhere that’s most convenient for them. Which isn’t always the best place for the cat. More often than not, the cat will tolerate it, unless it’s really too noisy, not private enough, or too out of the way. But why not make it better for the cat in the first place? That way you’ll have less of a chance of inappropriate elimination, and it may even improve your cat’s disposition. I mean, wouldn’t you be in a better mood if your facilities were more convenient and to your liking?
The key to good litter box placement is placing it in a quiet, low traffic area, away from food and water, and easy to access. An unobstructed corner is ideal. If you live in a small space without much privacy, you can add a pretty screen, both for your cat to feel safe, and so you don’t have to look at the litter box all the time. That’s a win-win!
Your Cat’s Needs Will Change at Different Life Stages
A kitten has different needs from a young adult cat, and a geriatric cat has their own set of needs. So your life with your cat will change over the years that they are living with you.
If you are bringing home a kitten, this will be the most time-consuming stage, at least until they are very old or if they become chronically ill. Hopefully if you have a kitten, the rescue, breeder, or shelter you got them from will fill you in on all the details. If not, there are a lot of sources online for you to research. And you will need all sorts of instructions on kitten-proofing your home, keeping them active and happy, and helping them grow up into awesome, (relatively) well-behaved grown up cats.
If you bring home a young adult cat, the care and feeding part is pretty standard…but they are often restless and active. Young adult cats especially will act out if they don’t get enough stimulation. You’ll have to learn their play preferences and lean into them. Setting up training sessions is fun for both you and your cat at this age. High fives, paw shakes, and jumping through a hoop are just a few of the things your cat will enjoy.
Older cats are quieter, but they still need physical and mental stimulation. So continue to do training and play sessions with them (or start, if you adopted them as an older cat). Make sure they have nice places to relax, look out the window, and watch the goings on outside. Make sure they have their own space in your living room and bedroom. Give them as much comfort as possible. Do regular exams with them — feel their bodies for lumps, check their teeth, and watch for signs of arthritis and other conditions that often happen with age.
Geriatric cats often need the most care, and you and your cat will probably have a close relationship with your veterinarian. If they are older and healthy, great! But if they are starting to suffer from a disease or condition, do follow your vet’s instructions. Do everything you can to keep your cat as comfortable as possible. If you’ve lived with your cat long enough that they’ve gotten to this stage, you’ve created a deep bond with them. And I don’t have to offer you a lot of advice…you already know what they need.
I hope this has helped, and perhaps given you some ideas. If I have, let me know in the comments.
The post Every Cat Has These Essential (But Rarely Considered) Needs appeared first on Summer’s Fabulous Cat Life.
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The post Every Cat Has These Essential (But Rarely Considered) Needs appeared first on Summer’s Fabulous Cat Life.”}]] Read More
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