A Feline Friendly Home

Dr. Kristin Horazy

 

Ancestors of today’s domestic cats initially served as rodent hunters in small settlements at the dawn of agriculture.  Because of their usefulness, they were gradually assimilated into human society, unlike domestic dogs, who were selectively bred for desirable traits by humans.  Therefore, the domestication of cats hasn’t resulted in major genetic changes, so the form and behavior of house cats is not radically different from wild cats.  Both wild and domestic cats are solitary hunters of small prey, and as such, have specific needs different than those of dogs.  Cat owners need to be well-informed about the behavioral idiosyncrasies of cats in order to allow outlets for their “wild behavior” and make the indoor environment as stress-free as possible.  Following are some suggestions about how to make your home “cat friendly.”

Litter Boxes

An open, clean litterbox.

     When cats go to the bathroom indoors, it is important to provide them with a positive litter box experience.   A good rule of thumb is to provide one litter box per cat PLUS ONE, so there are different options for elimination.  The box should be big enough to move around in and to avoid stepping in previous eliminations.  Uncovered boxes are preferable in a multi-cat household, so there is always a way to escape if another cat comes up to the box.

     Research has shown that most kitties prefer unscented clumping litter (not clay).  However, it is more important to stick with whatever type of litter your cat prefers, as switching abruptly can result in litter box aversion.

     Litter boxes should be easy to access, but also provide privacy and an escape route if needed.  They should be located away from furnaces, air ducts, or other noisy appliances that can make sudden loud noises, which may startle your cat.

     Cats are a meticulously clean species, so litter boxes should be scooped daily!  If you find the odor of the box offensive, your cat probably does too!  The boxes should be emptied out and rinsed at least monthly.  Only use warm water and non-scented soap, as strongly-scented cleaners can be toxic or aversive.

Scratching

     Scratching is natural marking behavior used by cats in the wild to define their territory and announce their presence.  Scratching also helps to shed old cuticles and sharpen the claws.  Even declawed cats still retain the instinct to scratch. 

     Most cats prefer a rough material that shreds, such as sisal, cardboard, or carpet.  Some cats prefer to scratch on horizontal surfaces (carpets, rugs), while other prefer vertical surfaces.  You can experiment to figure out what types of objects your cat most likes to scratch.  There are a variety of different scratching posts available at most pet supply stores.

     Because cats scratch to mark their territory, they like to scratch in prominent places in the house.  Make sure you place your scratching posts in areas where people or cats tend to congregate, such as the TV room where the family spends a lot of time.  Do not try and hide the post in a far away corner or tucked behind furniture – your cat may not want to use it.

     You can train your cat to the post by placing it right next to the area where they already like to scratch and covering the inappropriate object with tinfoil or plastic carpet runners.  Posts that have a catnip toy built-in on top can be useful in attracting the cat to the post.  Once you have the cat using the post consistently, you can gradually move it a few inches every day to a suitable location. 

Catnip can be grown in your home garden, or purchased dried at a pet store.

  

Resting Areas

 

     Cats prefer to rest in safe, secure areas where they can get away from other people and pets.  They also need these safe areas when they are anxious about strange people or animals and loud noises.   Therefore, it is important to provide a refuge for your cat – an out-of-the-way area of the house where the cat has access to its essentials (food, water, litter box, etc).  You can place a comfy cat bed or folded towels in the area as well.  It is important to not disturb your cat when she is resting or hiding!

Perches

     As mentioned above, cats like to hide when they feel anxious or threatened.  They especially like to hide in high places, where they can get a clear view of their surroundings and where other people and/or animals can’t get to them.

     To help with this behavior, it is important that every cat have a perch somewhere in the house where they can view action indoors or outdoors from above.  This can be as fancy as a big store bought cat tower with multiple levels or as simple as a chair or table in front of a window.  You could even hang a bird feeder outside the window to attract birds or squirrels to keep your cat interested.

Toys

     The ancestors of domestic cats had to hunt insects, birds, and mice 10-20 times per day in order to survive.  Our indoor cats no longer have to hunt, but still retain the instinct to pounce and stalk.  Cats tend to like toys that mimic prey that they might hunt in the wild – toys that squeak, dangle, or dart.   You can determine your cat’s prey preference by buying several toys that resemble birds (toys with feathers or that are suspended in the air), mice (furry stuffed toys), and bugs (laser toy, a string with a knot on the end). 

      Alternate playing with each type of toy and see which type your cat responds to most.  Once you determine your cat’s prey preference, keep a batch of that type of toy and rotate them a few at a time to keep things interesting.