Creating a Cat Haven at Home
Creating a haven at home for your feline family member is easy—follow these 6 steps:
1) Add plenty of vertical space
Think vertical for your kitty. Creating vertical space utilizing products like cat trees can transform a sour puss into a loving kitten. It gives them freedom and if you have multiple cats, makes it easier for cats in a multi-cat household to get along since there are enough special spots to go around. In addition, vertical kitty spots allow them to survey their world from on high, encouraging exercise; something lacking for many indoor cats, by giving them somewhere to jump. There are many excellent ways to create vertical cat space, such as cat trees, shelves, and the connection of several vertical areas to create cat superhighways.
2) No more whisker stress at mealtime
Even though you love your cat and will do anything for them, you might not be aware that the high sides of your cat’s dish can bother his or her delicate whiskers. It's true. A wide, low-sided dish suits cats best. Take The Artisan Feeder from Bowsers, for instance. It embodies utilitarian chic with low sides that won’t bother your cat’s whiskers. Plus, the neutral wood base and elegant white ceramic bowl add a touch of sophistication to dinnertime.
3) Think cocoon hideaway
Creating a cat-friendly home means adding space to snuggle and to hide away alone. Just provide a spot for your cat to disappear in plain sight, allowing your cat to feel safe and secure. By hiding in a secret spot, a nervous or scared cat can actually build confidence and integrate with the family. One interesting option is the Ombré Cat Cave from Karma Cat. As the website says, these are "handcrafted by women's collectives high in Nepal with a blend of Tibetan and New Zealand wools." Available online at distinctlyhimalayan.com.
4) Just say no to gas station bathrooms
Cats, like humans, want a clean and non-stinky place to do their business. Upgrading their litter box to one that fights odor issues is a must. That's where the new Cateco litter box comes into the picture. It's clinically proven to reduce odors by up to 86% by fighting humidity and, therefore, bad smells. In addition, by optimizing natural air circulation, litter can dry adequately, discouraging the growth of bacteria and fungus, a.k.a. the cause of stinky ammonia and other malodorous gases. Bonus: you’ll need to change your cat’s litter far less frequently!
Speaking of litter boxes, Animal Planet’s "Cat Daddy" Jackson Galaxy recommends the "plus one rule" when it comes to cat boxes. He suggests cat owners count the number of cats they have and add one. For example, you'll want three litter boxes if you have two cats. Make sure they're situated in easy-to-use locations near windows or the bathroom you use.
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5) A room with a view
Cats love to look out windows, and creating a lookout point with a window perch is easy. You might never know what your cat thinks about as they spend the entire day staring outside, but a perch is always welcome.
6) Multiple scratching posts
There are several reasons your cat is choosing to scratch the sofa and the doorjamb of your bedroom. Simply put, your cat wants to leave his or her mark in these key outposts to indicate co-ownership. Instead of tucking away scratching posts where you’d like them, just place them in these spots as well as the other places your cat seems to want to scratch.
Make sure the scratching posts you choose are sturdy and offer various scratching positions. Think horizontal, like the arm of your sofa; vertical; and inclined. Scratch ability is essential, so make sure the ones you choose offer alternative places your cat can sink its claws into. Remember, cats aren’t just making their mark when scratching but are also stretching their back muscles and removing the outer nail sheath.
Since your cat spends most of his or her time in your house, it's important to ensure you’re creating a cat-friendly home. And a stress-free kitty will make you want to stay home, too — especially when you find your new dream home in Santa Barbara, Montecito or the surrounding communities. Please call me at (805) 886-9378 or email me at Cristal@montecito-estate.com and I’ll happily show you what’s on the market right now, as well as share my pocket listings.
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