If you are going to have your cat inside, it is important to make its environment as stimulating as possible. If you don't, cats can quickly become bored, stressed and even depressed, resulting in detrimental and destructive behaviours.
Having cats in small apartments is possible! You might be surprised at how little room cats need to be comfortable — in fact, cats love curling up in small spaces.
Just like a human, if your cat is bored, they may develop some bad habits or even start doing things that are either unhealthy for them or frustrating for you. Repetitive behaviors, overeating, terrorizing other pets, or even becoming destructive are all potential signs that your cat is bored.
Indoor cats become bored easily because their entire life exists within four walls. Day in and day out their environment, food, social interactions, and routine stay basically the same. Curious by nature cats have limited opportunities for exploration that keep them interested in their environment.
Cats can be social, compassionate and incredibly loving. And what this means is that without regular interaction or stimulation, they can easily become lonely; in some cases even a little sad.
It's estimated that cats spend 12 – 16 hours a day sleeping, and as indoor cats, my two love lounging around. They have several different preferred snoozing spots depending on the time of day. As the sun streams into the lounge room, they can be found having a kip by the window on their cat tower.
Cats, while often independent creatures, still crave attention and love, in addition to their obvious nutritional needs of fresh water, clean litter, and food. If you decide to bring a cat or kitten into your home, you should be prepared to spend at least 20 minutes a day giving your cat loving one-on-one attention.
“Although cats normally spend a great deal of their day napping, they do have times of activity, when they climb and play,” says Krieger. “Some cats who have no or little stimulation will become couch potatoes.” If your cat is only moving from the couch to the food bowl, you could have a bored feline on your hands.
They have relaxed body language
If your cat tends to sit like a perfect loaf, with their paws tucked under their body, their tail wrapped around them, and their eyes closed or softly open, these are all signs that they are feeling happy and comfortable in their environment.
There is no definite rule for how much room cats need to feel comfortable. In general, an area of about 20 square feet scattered throughout the various rooms in the house can be considered an absolute minimum amount of space for a cat.
In fact, many cats purposely tuck themselves into impossibly small crevices for privacy and stress relief. “They're fine in a studio apartment,” says Wilbourn, who lives in New York City, aka the land of small apartments.
Here are some changes that often cause cats to stress: Rearranging or purchasing new furniture. Renovations and remodelling. Clutter and mess.
Cats like peace and quiet. Household conveniences, like vacuum cleaners, can easily disrupttheir nap time.
There is no definitive answer when it comes to the happiness of cats, as some prefer large houses while others are perfectly content in a small apartment. Cats adjust to their surroundings but do not like change. So if a cat is bought up in a large house, that will be the environment that they feel most happy in.
Yes, indoor cats do get depressed but there are ways to make them much happier.
Definitely. While some cats go nuts for on-screen antics, others are content to watch the activity with an air of calm, and still others may not be interested in TV at all. Depending on their temperament and the depth of their hunting instinct, your cat may or may not engage with television or other electronic screens.
A good place to start is two 15 – 20 minute sessions each day, which you can increase as they get fitter and more enthusiastic. Make sure you keep play sessions short, and always give them enough time to rest in between. Never force your cat to do anything they don't want to.
Other cat health and behavior experts offer similar recommendations, with the total amount of playtime ranging from 20 to 60 minutes daily. Playtime should be split into multiple 10- to 15-minute segments as cats are naturally active in short bursts.
While they enjoy your company, they might not want to feel confined or restricted by sitting on your lap. Being next to you allows them to move around as they please. This behavior doesn't imply a lack of love or trust; it simply means they cherish their autonomy and freedom.
Cats tend to use pawing as a form of communication. Cats paw at us out of instinct, by accident, to give or get affection, and to get our attention. Most times, when cats paw at us, it means nothing serious. Sometimes, however, they are getting our attention to tell us that they are sick or in pain.
Playing regularly with a cat and providing their entertaining toys can easily satisfy their stalking instinct, keep them stimulated and provide the exercise they need to stay healthy and happy. It also keeps local wildlife safe!
Although your cat may beg to be let outside, they're most likely more than happy to be kept safe in the confines of your home.
Even though life began in the great outdoors for many kittens, they can live very happy, fulfilling lives as an indoor-only cat. On average, indoor cats live longer and healthier lives than outdoor cats and even indoor/outdoor cats.