If you live in an apartment, a cat can make a perfect companion. They’re fairly low maintenance and lower energy, especially once they’re adults. However, they need more than the bare minimum to be happy, so if you want to avoid having your furniture scratched up or cleaning up messes due to litter box aversion, we’re sharing 8 ways to keep your cat happy in an apartment.
Creating a Cat-Friendly Environment
You want a cozy place to live where you can feel 100 percent comfortable, right? So does your cat! Fortunately, with just a few small updates and adjustments, you can make your apartment perfect for your cat without sacrificing a lot of floor space.
A Room with a View
Cats love two things when it comes to their space:
- Being up high. If you’ve ever seen your cat perched like a gargoyle on top of a tall shelf, it’s because they feel safe in high spaces where they can look down and see any threats that may approach.
- Looking outdoors. Cats are nosy creatures and like to see what’s going on in the world around them. This also comes with the benefit of a warm sunbeam for napping.
Consider getting a cat tree that offers a high space to relax, and if possible, set it in a window. Otherwise, look at cat ledges and baskets that are made to be attached to the window by suction cups or that can fasten around the window very easily. Just make sure to patch and paint any holes when you move out!
Adding the Right Houseplants
You want to add greenery to your home, but you definitely want to avoid houseplants that are toxic to cats. Try these plants that are both easy to grow and very cat-friendly!
- Catnip
- Cat Grass
- Lemon Thyme
- Spider Plant
- Bamboo Palm
- Boston Fern
- Air Plants
Scratching Posts
Cats don’t scratch because of spite or boredom. It helps them stretch, mark their territory, and even clean the outer coating of their claws. Protect your furniture with a few tall scratching posts around your apartment – typically one in the living room and one in the bedroom is sufficient. Also, if you want to encourage them to scratch on their posts, spritz a bit of catnip on the posts!
Making Play a Priority for Your Cat
Even the laziest, most laid-back cat needs to play to keep them physically and mentally engaged. Fortunately, it’s pretty easy to get your kitty up and moving!
Toys to Play with Your Cat
If you’re gone all day, make sure you make time when you come home to engage in play with the cat. This will give them something to look forward to when you come home! Toys that work great include:
- Laser pointer
- Feathers or jingle bells on the end of a cord and stick
- Balls or catnip toys that can be tossed
Toys That Your Cat Can Play with Independently
While much of their day, while you’re gone, will be spent in their window hammock, cat tree, or another favorite spot, they still may get bored, and a bored kitty can be a loud or destructive kitty. Provide some toys that they can play with on their own:
- A scratching post with a ball on a spring on top.
- Jingle bell hanging from a cord from a doorway (long enough for them to reach and bat at).
- Catnip in a sock or burlap bag
- Cat tunnels or fort with attached toys
Health and Hygiene for Your Cat
The most important factor for your cat’s happiness is making sure they are healthy and clean.
Choosing a Litter Box
The most challenging thing about an apartment with a cat is finding a space to put the litter box. You don’t want it to be out front and center when guests come over, but you also need it to be easily accessible at all times for your cat. We love this litter box that looks like a potted plant or this litter box masquerading as a side table. If you have a kitten or a senior cat with mobility issues, consider getting a low-sided box that allows them to climb in more easily.
Brushing Your Cat
Living in an apartment with your cat, you want to do what you can to keep the hair and dander to a minimum. Brushing your cat at least once a week is key, but if you have a tendency to forget or you have a long-haired cat, let them do it. And by this, we mean consider getting a self-grooming brush that can get attached to the wall or are standalone arched brushes that cats can walk under.
Keeping the Air Clean
Minimize odors and dander by brushing regularly and changing the litter box daily. However, if you need a little extra help in keeping your apartment feeling and smelling fresh, consider a small air purifier that kills mold, bacteria, dander, and other problems and leaves the space healthier for you and your feline friend.
Rent a Cat-Friendly Apartment in Uptown, Minneapolis Today
If you are looking for a great apartment for rent in Uptown that also allows cats, reach out to Stutsman Realty, Inc. We have several historic apartment buildings with one and two-bedroom units available just a few blocks from Bde Maka Ska and Lake of the Isles and close to all the action of Uptown. To learn more or to set up a tour, call us at 952-927 4144 or fill out the form below to get started.