7 Best tips For Creating A cat-friendly home: They Will Never Leave
1. Food and water
In a cat-friendly home, food and water must be readily available. Don’t put the food bowl right next to the water bowl; in nature, a cat would never eat in the same spot where it drinks. Don’t put the food next to the litter box. Cats don’t like to eat their meals next to their toilet.
2. Fresh air
Open the window in the house regularly. Fresh air introduces new smells into the house and these make your cat curious. It is not for nothing that many cat toys are provided with delicious smells. These have a stimulating effect on the cat. However, always make sure that safety is guaranteed when opening a window or a (balcony) door.
3. No poisonous plants
Indoor plants are beautiful, but unfortunately they are often poisonous to cats. A small bite usually doesn’t hurt, but if your cat takes a bite on a regular basis, it can lead to gastrointestinal problems and even worse consequences.
Accordingly, place your plants in a place that is inaccessible to your cat, or replace the poisonous plants with plants that may actually make your cat happy instead. Examples include catnip, cat grass, sage, thyme or parsley. These are herbs that your cat tolerates well and can nibble on largely without problems. However, make sure that she doesn’t overeat, especially if she eats excessive amounts of the pungent cat grass, as this can cause vomiting if overdosed.
4. A cat flap in a cat-friendly home
A cat flap is useful for a free-roaming cat, but not essential. One advantage is that she can use it undisturbed and return outside and into the house at any time. Cats don’t like intruders; they feel threatened when a strange cat invades their territory. A cat flap with a chip that only responds to your cat will help prevent this. So you can be sure that only your cat enters your house.
5. At least two rooms
A cat likes to have everything in view and wants to be able to withdraw from time to time. A cat-friendly living space consists of at least two rooms and has several higher seats. Do you have a one bedroom apartment? Then create a separation within the apartment with a room divider. Do you think that’s a bit exaggerated? Then a cardboard box is also an option. The cats quickly feel safe in a box and withdraw into it for a while.
6. Toys in a cat-friendly home
Cats love toys! That should not be missing in a cat-friendly house. Keep toys varied and hide different toys in different places in the house; this will definitely make your cat curious and happy.
7. Beware of cleaning products and plants
It is not uncommon for the kitchen to be the place where cleaning supplies for the entire house are kept. Make sure all chemicals and cleaning supplies are stored in the kitchen out of the reach of pets!
This is made possible by the clever storage cupboards from kitchen manufacturers, which are intended to replace the utility room . Shelves for cleaning supplies & Co. are located higher up in the cupboard, while in the lower section there is space for brooms, mops and vacuum cleaners – especially the latter, a device that many animals are uncomfortable with anyway.
Not only obvious chemicals are toxic, but also some kitchen plants . Ivy, aloe vera or geranium are harmful to animals and can lead to symptoms of poisoning . Conventional kitchen herbs , on the other hand, such as basil, mint and oregano, can have a health-promoting effect on dogs and prevent inflammation. Cats don’t tolerate the strong essential oils of the herbs that well, but often avoid them on their own thanks to the intense smell – apart from a harmless nibble here and there.
