Top tips and tricks from cat experts. It's common knowledge that cats rule the internet. And if you've got 'em, you already know they're in charge of your home. Thankfully, cats are always a good fit, no matter how big (or small) your city-living quarters are. Nonetheless, there are a plethora of tricks and devices that can make cohabitation more bearable for all parties involved. I'm excited to share these 16 tried-and-true techniques to keep city felines happy, healthy, active, eco-friendly, and engaged after more than a decade of living peacefully with two city kitties in a one-bedroom flat (and with the support of several knowledgable cat friends and professionals) (and your own possessions clean and safe, too).
Top tips and tricks from cat experts
Check with the landlord or realtor to see if cats are allowed
This is a fairly obvious point, but an important one. Whether you are looking for an apartment or already have one, your cats will require the approval of the appropriate administrators. (They'd be lucky if they didn't have to take credit checks or pay the first and last month's rent.)
This is necessary not only to ensure your furry family members stay forever, but also to ensure that any maintenance personnel are aware of the door (and keep it closed as much as possible) so that your precious pet does not escape.
Make friends with other cat lovers
Do you have any kittens in town among your housemates or apartment building neighbors? If so, it is best to form a group and share information so that you can feed and care for each other's cats while you are away. (Cat owners are great, too.) You don't need to check this out; It's a proven fact.) Since you both live in the same place, you don't have to do your best to help. (City life is great that way.)
"It's important to have a circle of cat-sitter friends when you're leaving town," says Los Angeles-based comedian Jake Weisman. You can also take care of other cats and spend time with them when they reciprocate. the win! "
Setting the stage for Cat TV
On the other hand, cats are not as good on the street as us. If a city cat ventures outside, it is more likely to be injured or killed. However, they are attracted to movement outside, so a secure screen window (also known as a Cat TV) can provide hours of enjoyment by allowing them to watch birds, squirrels, trees, cars and pedestrians. (If you don't have a screen, do you need to close the window for heating or air conditioning? Pull the blinds; it is enough to close the window.)
If your windowsill is large enough, it can function as a built-in surface. If your cat requires additional space, the experts at Modern Cat magazine recommend installing a window perch designed just for cats. The Kitty Cot is small, can fit two cats, and is attached to the wall with durable suction cups—ideal if you aren't allowed to make permanent changes to your rental's walls.
Another alternative is to adjust your existing furniture to make greater use of the space you have available. For example, I have a table where my cats can get to the window above it... However, the feeders and water bowl for the cats can be tucked down underneath, out of the way of the walkway. Chairs, cabinets, stools, filing cabinets, and other furniture
Your cat should be microchipped
Your cat probably doesn't wear a collar if it doesn't go outside (see previous point). Despite your best attempts, the more daring cat may still be able to get away. Have your cat fitted with a microchip to increase the chances of a happy reunion. The tiny—but critical—device can be placed without anaesthetic during a routine vet visit. (If you're adopting from a shelter, it's usually included in the total price.) It only hurts as much as an usual vaccination, lasts a lifetime, and can be scanned at a shelter or vet to show a unique ID number that can be used to connect kitty to (a hugely relieved) you via a registered database.
Bring the outdoors
Even if your apartment is the size of a shoebox, there's still room for a touch of the big outdoors for kitty, whether or not you have any vegetation in your city residence (if you do, make sure all plants are non-toxic to your fuzzy ones). (Cats, incidentally, enjoy lounging in shoeboxes.)
Cat grass is a pleasant, natural, fiber-rich treat that, fortunately for you, is easy to grow and keep without taking up too much space. This compact, basic system, which includes pockets of organic oats, wheat, rye, and barley in affordable, interchangeable refills that you can pop in when you need new plantings, is a favorite of my kittens. “Catnip gardens are fantastic for indoor cats!” says Modern Cat magazine. There are several simple kits available that will allow you to create a modest, cat-friendly indoor garden for your cat.”
Cats, in addition to munchables, require consistent drinking. A continual flow of water is preferred by most cats, therefore getting your cat a fountain like AquaPurr's (which contains a sensor) is a good idea.
Morning meals can be automated
When it comes to munching...
Anyone who has a cat knows what it's like to be woken up by one. At an obscene hour, to be sure. In an ungodly fashion, to be sure.
When your cats are hungry, they will let you (and anyone else nearby) know by meowing endlessly (sorry, next-door tenants, for the unwelcome wake-up calls), scratching up the door to your bedroom (goodbye, security deposit! ), or scooting empty food bowls around the floor (apologies, downstairs neighbors).
Thankfully, our time's most brilliant thinkers devised this indispensable tool: the automatic digital feeder. Fill it with breakfast before going to bed, and your fuzzy buns will be ready to eat before the sun (and you) rises. The digital part of this miracle is crucial; it ensures that your kitties keep on track (turn-dial timers aren't nearly as accurate), so they won't bother you if their tasty feasts are a few minutes late. (This does happen.)
With numerous devices for many cats, the digital element ensures that the feeders all open at the same time, preventing the dominant cat from gobbling up everything if the feeders open at different intervals. (Yes, this does occur.) If you're going to be out of the apartment for a day or two, or if you have a cat-sitter who can't come by on a regular basis, it's also a great way to prepare multiple meals ahead of time.
The best part: Because these feeders are made like tanks, your cat won't be able to knock them over or turn them upside down, keeping the food in, the neighbors at bay, and your sanity intact.
Keep odors to a minimum
Litter boxes, on the other hand, are on the opposite end of the feeding range.
If you live in an apartment, you probably don't have a spare room dedicated to your cat's toileting needs...which means their bathroom is somewhere in your living space. (How exciting for us.) Fortunately, there are some super-slick, compact—and covered!—options available.
There are a number of covered litter box options (such as this multi-functional solution) that mix in even better with your décor if you want to conserve even more space. Keeping odors and litter where they belong, regardless of how your litter box appears, is a lifesaver for city dwellers. Sure, you'll be able to breathe easier (and so will the city dwellers who share your hallway). Have faith in me.
Put it in a bag
Choosing the right litter box is only one aspect of the process. Then there is the issue of emptying it.
Many regions now have plastic bag bans in place, which will charge you a fee if you buy one at the store. This means that you pay for plastic shopping bags...just to get rid of cat litter, assuming you're an eco-shopper and bring reusable bags. This is a waste of time because approximately one third of each plastic bag is required to remove cat litter. (Note: If the cleaning bags are full of pee nozzles, take your cat to the vet immediately, as this could be a sign of kidney disease, which is a serious problem, especially in elderly cats.)
I use scented, biodegradable diaper bags instead of buying and throwing away a lot more plastic than I need. They're the right compact size, so you're not wasting too much, and the handles make it super easy to hook up before throwing them away, which helps reduce odors even more. It comes in a small box (much better than a pile of plastic bags under the sink, which only adds to the clutter in your apartment), and helps neutralize odors so that trash (which also needs to be covered!) isn't stinky in the place.
Falling into a black hole
If you rent, you already know how important it is to keep your floors in good condition. (I can't afford to lose my security deposit!) NVR Miss Litterbox makes thick-walled litter boxes to hold trash. Goodbye, rubbish scattered around the floor!
This bin prevents stray litter pellets from corroding on your floors, keeps you from walking on stray litter (which will follow where you are if you live in a small space), and keeps more litter for later use, rather than just sweeping it up and throwing it away - saving you money and time.
Consider the vertical position of the cats
Climbing and lounging at high altitudes are cats' favorite activities. Unfortunately, you may not be allowed to install fixtures (aka punch holes) in walls if you're renting an apartment, which means you won't be able to fully "customize" your space with premium shelves, aisles, and seating. (However, if you're allowed, take advantage of it! "Floating composite shelves can enhance the space your cats have to tear up around a room—and there are some incredibly beautiful shelves that look really cool, too!" Modern Cat magazine wrote.
Whether you can become shelf-happy or not, you can still think vertical by leaving space free on desks and tables, or using bookends to keep books in place on only half of a shelf while keeping pockets available for cat lounging. (Keep in mind that anything delicate on any surface WILL be knocked over... Keep crucial breakables in places where curious paws can't get to them, such as display cases or cabinets.)
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Also consider how to arrange the furniture so that your cat can move securely from one item to another (for example, from a lower cabinet to a taller one), especially if one of the branches is too high to jump into without an intermediary. Modern Cat suggests "use what you have while you play." Let your cat follow a toy all over the couch and bed, and create new levels for him to explore." Learn more.
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