How To Create A Cat-Friendly Home
Before you bring home a cat, especially a young and rambunctious one, you have to take steps to make your house a cat-friendly environment. Not only will this save you from dealing with destructive behaviors that can result in some of your favorite items being broken, but it will also result in a much happier kitty who has plenty of distractions to keep him occupied and content. And a cat-friendly haven will also make your feline companion feel safe and comfortable so he won’t be stressed or nervous.
A Room with a View
Indoor cats should have access to a great view of the outside world, where they can chatter to themselves as they get excited over birds and squirrels running about. If you have bay windows or any windows with a good-sized sill on them, allow your cat to jump right up and make himself at home. If your windowsills are not large enough for your cat to sit or lie down comfortably, you can purchase a window perch that will easily attach to your window and give your cat a cozy spot to gaze outside for hours.
Tall Hiding Places
Cats love climbing, but you may not want them jumping up onto your tallest bedroom dresser or the top of your refrigerator. To prevent these behaviors, encourage your pet to use a tall cat tree instead. Make sure you place it in an area of your home that is out of the way so that your cat can retreat there when he needs some quiet time to himself to relax. Many cat trees that are sold in pet stores today are quite elaborate, with cubbies to hide in, plenty of ledges to sit and sleep on, scratching posts built right in, and toys dangling at varying levels.
Cozy Nooks
Cats are quiet creatures who can easily become stressed when there is too much going on in the house or when there are a lot of people making a lot of noise. Therefore, make sure your home has plenty of cozy nooks for your kitty to retreat to in the event he needs to just go relax in peace for a little while. This is especially important for cats who are typically frazzled or frightened when you have friends or family over. A space behind the sofa, a corner in the bedroom, or even a small space in your home office could be the perfect spot for your cat. Place a cat bed there, making sure it is in a warm spot without any cold drafts.
A Walkway in the Sky
Some homeowners choose to really go all-out by installing catwalks near the ceiling, complete with steps that lead up to them. Cats will gingerly climb up and down the steps and then across the walkways to get an aerial view of everything that is going on beneath them. This fulfills your cat’s craving to be up high while giving him yet another private spot that he can retreat to and call his own. Just remember that not all cats like being up high. In fact, some prefer to stay close to the ground. So before you go ahead and have these elaborate catwalks installed in your home, make sure your kitty will actually make use of them.
Interior design for families with cats offers a lot of options today. There are some really interesting cat accessories you can purchase that will keep your feline happy while also looking contemporary and chic, so you certainly don’t have to sacrifice on style to keep your cat happy. Get creative and see what options you like best that fit your overall design scheme perfectly so that everything comes together beautifully and everyone is happy.
Lisa Selvaggio is a freelance writer and editor, and our resident cats-pert, with certifications in pet nutrition and pet first aid. She enjoys producing content that helps people understand animals better so they can give their pets a safe and happy home.
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