Having a cat in an apartment can provide some wonderful experiences with felines. However, the adaptation can be challenging, especially if your cat was used to the environment of a house or if you are adopting a pet that came from the streets.
So, if your cat is not used to this environment, it is important to make the change in the best possible way, taking care of all the details so that your cat does not get stressed. When this is done correctly, everyone is happy: the owners and the cats!
To help you at this time, we have prepared this content with the best tips for adapting cats to apartments. Keep reading and get your questions answered!
What are the challenges of having a cat in an apartment?
One of the main challenges of raising a cat in an apartment, especially if it is small, is dealing with the species’ hunting instinct. They are naturally investigative and, therefore, they like having a larger space to explore.
Therefore, when adapting to a smaller space, some problems can occur. For example, if this process is not done carefully, the child may even become ill! Therefore, it is important to be aware of the signs that something is not going well .
Additionally, he may start to exhibit behaviors that he didn’t have before, such as scratching the sofa , trying to get into cupboards, among other possibilities.
What are the facilities of taking care of a cat in an apartment?
Despite the challenges, many owners may also find it easier to care for a cat in an apartment than in a house, for example. The main advantages of having a cat in this environment include:
- it may be easier to keep the environment cleaner compared to the house;
- ease of training and adapting the animal;
- more relaxed to screen and protect your pet;
- Over time, cats adapt quite easily to smaller spaces.
How to have a cat in an apartment? Discover 7 essential care tips
Are you a first-time pet owner or are you moving from a house to an apartment? You may be at a loss as to what needs to be done to adapt as best you can.
With the right tips, even with a lot of information, you will be able to provide the best experience so that your pet can get used to the new situation more easily. We have selected 7 that will help you at this time.
Check it out below!
1. Install protective screens
Cats are adventurous and love to explore new environments, so they may try to jump out of windows out of curiosity and fall. Therefore, protective screens are essential for cats in apartments.
They help prevent escapes, falls and accidents that could even put your best friend’s life at risk. There are several companies that specialize in this service and know how to make the installation safer for cat owners in this case.
After installing the protective screen, how about installing a net on the window and letting him enjoy the view without any risks? He’ll love it!
2. Offer healthy food
There is now a wider variety of food available on the market, including those designed for indoor animals. This type of food is important because cats raised in apartments tend to have less exposure to the sun.
Always choose the best quality options , focused on your pet’s age group, as well as special health conditions (for example, cats with chronic kidney disease).
3. Keep the environment clean
This is one of the challenges and, at the same time, one of the advantages of raising a cat in an apartment. One of the advantages is that the smaller space makes it easier to clean more frequently and helps to collect hair, grains of sand and other dirt from the environment.
At the same time, because they are in a smaller space, they tend to smell odors more easily, for example, from urine and poop in the litter box. Remember that felines are very sensitive to cleanliness, so it is necessary to keep everything very clean so that they feel comfortable.
4. Offer creative toys
Since your cat may have less space to explore, you may need to make sure he can burn more energy on a daily basis. Creative toys will be your best allies for this.
Remember that cats like challenges, so the options you choose for them need to motivate them to play. So, choose those made especially for felines.
Another tip along these lines is to create a vertical cat enclosure in your apartment, that is, an environmental enrichment . Since they like to be in high spaces, installing niches and ramps can make them happier and calmer.
5. Take it for a walk
Some owners are curious or even want to take their cat for walks when they live in an apartment. They usually want to do this as a way to make up for the time they spend outdoors.
But is it possible? The answer is: yes!
However, for the experience to be truly enjoyable and safe, it is important to take some specific precautions. These are:
- adapt gradually. Cats are very territorial and changes in environment tend to stress them out. Be patient when carrying out this process and respect their progress;
- Use chest collars, as they are more comfortable and suitable for cats. Neck collars can catch sensitive areas and hurt your cat if it gets nervous and tries to escape;
- practice walking indoors. This helps both the animal and the owners get used to this new dynamic;
- remember that, unlike with dogs, it is the cat that leads the walk, not the owner. So, don’t pull him to go to the places you want;
- Analyze your cat’s body language : if walking is stressing your cat out, it’s best to avoid it. When they get nervous, their immunity can drop and their health can be compromised.
6. Get into the habit of brushing your cat
Since it’s a smaller space, you’ll notice more hair around your apartment than you would at home. To reduce this and even help prevent hairballs from forming, get into the habit of brushing your furry friend.
This can be done once a week and is a great time to spend quality time with your pet. Remember to use brushes designed for cats to avoid discomfort and skin injuries.
7. Opt for castration
Even if you take all the precautions to prevent your cat from running away (such as using screens), neutering your cat is essential! It provides comfort and well-being for your cat, its owners, and even your neighbors.
With this procedure, you prevent your dog from meowing during heat and disturbing other residents in the building. This also helps reduce the chances of developing health problems, such as cancer, mastitis , inflammation of the testicles, among others.
How do you know if your cat is happy?
Okay, so you’ve followed all the steps and have had your cat in your apartment for a while now. How do you know if he’s happy or not? By observing a few things, you can see if the adjustment is going well or if you need to make adjustments.
Some of the signs you should watch out for are:
- whether the cat is eating and drinking water properly;
- whether he is walking around the apartment or hiding;
- if he is peeing or pooping outside the litter box;
- if he has been vocalizing more than usual;
- if he has been acting more aggressive than normal;
- whether he is active, or is more prostrate.
When you take care of all the details of adapting to having a cat in an apartment, you can provide greater comfort and well-being for your friend. In this article, you saw the best tips to help you during this time. Your pet will thank you for your care!