Cats need love, attention and a sense of safety, but they also need environmental enrichment. Even if you live in a small apartment, there are ways to give your cat these things.
Using your apartment’s vertical and cubic space, like areas around or behind furniture, as well as fascinating cat toys can create a cat-friendly playground in any apartment.
Cat trees
Cats need vertical space to play, hunt, perch, and explore – so a cat tree is an absolute necessity in any feline-occupied home. Fortunately, there are plenty of narrow, floor-to-ceiling cat trees and cat climbers on the market that can provide this vertical experience without drilling into your ceiling. For those who don’t want to invest in a fancy cat tree, you can also try simply arranging your furniture so that it’s easier for your kitty to jump from one short piece (like the back of the sofa or a dresser) to another shorter piece, like a bookcase.
In addition to giving your kitty an opportunity to climb and hunt, the right cat tree will help fulfill your cat’s deeply implanted survival instinct to sit in a high spot and watch over their kingdom, Lion King-style. While some sleek wooden cat trees may look good, you’ll want to make sure that the functionality comes before aesthetics — if your cat can’t grab onto something and climb it, they’re probably going to just lounge around instead.
The best cat tree for small apartments takes up minimal space and looks great in your living room, too. The Armarkat Sky-blue Tower, for example, offers multiple perches that mimic the high branches of natural trees, as well as a covered den at the top that can serve as a retreat or a place to nap. Many users have also reported that this cat tree is very easy to assemble, so it’s a great option for those who don’t have much time or are on a tight budget.
Another great option is the Yaheetech Professional 42-in Cat Tree. It’s a little more expensive than the other options we’ve mentioned, but it’s extremely sturdy and provides multiple climbing areas and hiding spots. Plus, it comes with a dangling toy that’s perfect for entertaining your cat. Just be aware that this cat tree is a bit on the tall side, so it may not be a good fit for all cats.
Plants
There is a persistent stereotype that cats prefer to live in houses, but the truth is they can be happy in apartments as long as their human cares for them. Cats need food, water, litter boxes, rest and sleep areas and elevated places to perch on. These are known as the five pillars of a healthy feline environment. If cats do not have access to these things they may develop unhealthy behaviors such as urinating in inappropriate places, fighting with other cats and even biting people.
Cats also need environmental stimulation to satisfy their natural predatory instincts. In the wild, they get this from climbing trees, chasing bugs and scampering under bushes. This stimulation is not impossible to recreate indoors, but it does require some effort.
One way to do this is to provide a variety of toys that will spark their curiosity. Another way is to incorporate cat-safe plants into the home. These offer enrichment and help to re-create their habitats in the wild to a certain degree. Cats enjoy nibbling on the leaves of these plants and smelling them, as well. For example, Boston and Bird’s Nest ferns grow beautifully in filtered sun or near an open window. Just be sure to not plant plants that are toxic to cats, such as lilies, tulips, Spanish thyme and oleander.
Another way to give your cat a sense of the outdoors is to allow them to play on your balcony. Be sure to properly cat-proof the space and supervise them closely. It is possible that your cat could fall off the ledge while chasing a bug or while grooming, but with supervision they should be safe.
Many of the problems that cats cause humans in the home – from attacking ankles to scratching furniture – come from pent-up energy. If your cat is bored, does not have enough toys or does not have an outlet for this energy they will find other ways to relieve it, such as fighting with other cats or scratching the furniture.
Whether your apartment is big or small, you can create a fun and engaging kitty playground with the right equipment and some fascinating kitty toys. Cats are highly adaptable creatures and can thrive in cozy living quarters if their needs are met.
Toys
Cats can live happy lives in many different environments. There is a popular belief that they need more space than dogs and other pets, but this is simply untrue. As long as a cat has food, water and a clean litter box they can be content, even in a small apartment. In fact, cats are perfect for apartments because they are quiet and do not require extensive exercise like canines. In addition, they tend to be more independent than other pets.
A common problem with indoor cats is a lack of stimulation and boredom. Cats who do not have enough entertainment will find other ways to expend their energy, such as clawing furniture or attacking people or other animals. This is why it is important to provide your cat with plenty of toys that will spark their natural instincts and keep them entertained. Toys that are filled with catnip or mimic the movement of prey will stimulate a cat’s natural hunting instinct. Other stimulating toys include bouncy balls, cat springs and sisal mice.
Another way to give your cat more mental and physical exercise is by arranging furniture so they can jump from one short piece of furniture to the next, such as from a table to the back of a couch or mantelpiece. You can also help your cat stay active by letting them climb up and down stairs, which will work their legs and core muscles. You can also buy a cat exercise wheel, which is a great idea for keeping your cat active.
Another way to help your cat feel more comfortable in a small apartment is by providing them with a kitty bed. These beds are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, making it easy to find one that will fit your cat’s space. Kitty beds can also provide a sense of security and safety for your cat, especially if they are afraid of other animals.
Enclosed kitty bed
Cats need a feeling of safety and a sense of territory, both of which can be difficult to provide in small spaces. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to make your apartment feel like a home for your cat. These tips include: Providing vertical space with cat trees and shelves, making use of a balcony to give your pet an outdoor experience (though this should be done with proper supervision), offering enrichment toys, and providing a cozy place to rest.
A cat bed is a great way to offer your cat a private place to rest. It can also help reduce the amount of litter your cat tracks around the house, since they will be less likely to mark their territory in their bed. However, it is important to note that not all cats will take to a new bed right away. One way to get your cat to accept the bed is by offering them a treat or piece of a favorite toy. You can also leave a sprinkling of their favorite catnip in the bed to encourage them to try it out.
Another option is to put the bed in a location that your cat already spends a lot of time in, such as on top of a cabinet or near their favorite window. You can even set up a temporary tent for them by drapeing a blanket over the back of a chair, or simply placing it on the ground in front of their favorite napping spot. You can then move the tent around to different locations in your apartment every few weeks to keep things interesting for your cat.
Cats need a feeling of safety and an environment that is stimulating. In addition to love and attention, they also require physical exercise and mental stimulation. Enclosed kitty beds can help provide these benefits, as well as giving them a private space to rest and hide from humans. Toys can help with this, too, as they can mimic the hunting experience and encourage your cat to engage in play. Some of the most popular cat toys include feather wands and mice on strings, but you can also find other toys that will appeal to your cat, such as crinkle play tunnels from Frisco or even just some old paper bags pushed together.