Having a cat in the Windy City often means that they’re sharing your small living space, whether it be an apartment or condo! While cats are in some ways better at living in small places than other pets (like certain dog breeds), it still takes some work to make sure your apartment is cat-friendly. It’s not as simple as plopping down a litter box and calling it a day, so let’s take a look at a few different ways to make sure your home is a place that will make both you and your kitty happy.
Cats have a natural desire to climb and also to have a full view of their surroundings. In the wild, cats are both predator and prey, so they enjoy being able to engage their hunting skills while also feeling secure. Having a cat tree that is five to six feet tall with multiple steps or shelves going upward is a great way to give your cat a spot that is completely his or hers to climb, scratch, and relax. They can sit atop their perch and view the whole room, or they can take some time to nap knowing that this is their safe spot in the house. When they’re feeling frisky, your kitty can sharpen his or her nails on something besides your furniture, and they can jump freely to different heights without you having to worry about them getting stuck somewhere they shouldn’t be (like your kitchen cabinets)!
Of course, cats also love getting to see the happenings in your neighborhood. If you have a street-facing window, it’s a great idea to leave the sill in front of it empty so your cat can have a nice sitting spot. If that window doesn’t have a sill big enough for your kitty to sit, you can get a short piece of furniture or a short cat tree to sit in front of it for them as well! If you have a balcony or patio, you can also think about taking your kitty outside, but be sure to take the necessary precautions before doing so!
In addition to sitting and climbing areas, it’s important to make sure your kitty has comfortable areas for both their food and litter box. Some cats are fine eating on the floor, while others may prefer to have their food and water bowls up on a table or other elevated surface. For their litter box, cats do prefer a quiet, out of the way spot to do their business. However, their litter box shouldn’t be in a place that is too enclosed as its smell can become overpowering in confined areas, which any long-time kitty parent will know well!
If cleaning the litter box regularly is a task that can become too overpowering for you from time to time, a service like daily cat visits from a Windy City Paws cat sitter could be really helpful in making your apartment that much more cat AND people-friendly! If you choose to schedule regular cat visits, it will also go a long way toward making sure your kitty stays stimulated mentally and physically, the benefits of which you can learn more about here!
