Apartment Living with Cats: Your Mischievous New Roomie

Cats can be the perfect four-legged companion, especially for apartment living. They’re just cuddly enough, but also highly independent, and their small size makes them compatible with smaller spaces. That being said, there are several tips and tricks that are important to keep in mind when considering making a cat your new apartment roomie, even for seasoned cat owners. Read on to ensure you and your cat are on your way to a blissful coexistence!

Prepare Your Space. Whether you are bringing home a new cat or kitten or moving your cat from a different living situation to an apartment, you’ll want to be sure you prep the space before introducing them. Check that all balcony doors and unscreened windows are secured and place their litter box and feeding station in an easily accessible location. You may also want to consider reinforcing screened windows or keeping them closed altogether in the beginning, as cats are notorious for finding escape routes. It can be beneficial to introduce cats to the space slowly, by choosing one rom to keep them in at first (be sure this is where their litter box and food is) and once they seem comfortable in that space, allow them to explore the rest of the apartment.

Keep it Entertaining. While cats are small enough that apartment living shouldn’t be an issue, they still need ample exercise and entertainment to avoid them becoming bored, lethargic, or overweight. Believe it or not cats can be depressed! Ensure you avoid this by purchasing a cat tree or jungle gyms, a scratching post, and lots of interactive toys. This will also help prevent them from scratching furniture! You can also try halter training your cat which will allow you to take them on outdoor adventures and ensure they are getting plenty of exercise. Kittens and young cats tend to adapt quicker to a halter, but adult cats can still be trained, it just takes a little time and patience!

Clean Clean Clean! In a small space, you’ll notice that cat hair and kitty litter accumulate on the floor much quicker. In order to maintain a clean, happy space for you and your furry friend, you’ll want to get into the practice of doing a light clean daily. You may even want to invest in a Roomba to help keep up on things, and as a bonus many cats find them very entertaining! Be sure you at least scoop the litter box daily, and either vacuum or sweep. You can also cut down on the pet hair by brushing your cat frequently. While most cats are very good at grooming themselves, some long-hair breeds may require trips to the groomer to keep the loose hair to a minimum and make sure they don’t get hairballs.

Enjoy Sharing Your Beautiful Apartment with a Furry Friend. Keep these tips and tricks in mind, and you are well on your way to enjoying apartment living with your four-legged companion!