Apartment Care For Kitties

Do you and your feline friend live in an apartment? If so, you are in great company! Kitties may very well be the purrfect pet for apartment dwellers. A local Louisville, KY vet offers some tips on keeping Fluffy happy, healthy, and purring in an apartment below.

Can A Cat Live In An Apartment?

Yes! In fact, cats are great pets for people in apartments. Fluffy is small enough to easily sprint beneath any size requirements. She won’t need to be walked or trained, and she can do just fine in small spaces. And while some of our feline pals do have a habit of ‘caterwauling,’ most aren’t going to be loud enough to spark any complaints from your neighbors.

Will A Cat Ruin My Apartment?

Fluffy is quite clean, and she likely isn’t going to rip a hole in your door or chew your cupboards. However, she can get a bit destructive. One thing you may want to address are window blinds. These are standard in many apartment complexes. Cats, however, always want to look outdoors, and have a tendency to go through any blinds that are blocking their access to that window view. While replacing blinds isn’t really a huge deal, it is probably easier to get a different type of window treatment. Safety is also an issue: you don’t want your pet getting tangled in cords or blinds.

Fluffy may also scratch up a bit of carpet. If you notice her really scratching a lot, our advice would be to get her a few different nail care stations. Towers are great, but you can also use scratching posts or boards. Short on space? Fasten one to the wall!

Last but not least, there is a possibility of spraying. This is far more common in kitties that have not been fixed. If Fluffy is still intact, make that appointment right away.

What Is The Best Cat For An Apartment?

With dog breeds, you may need to do some research to find a pup that is really a great match for an apartment dweller. That really isn’t necessary with cats: pretty much any feline can do well in an apartment.

What Are Some Cat Apartment Essentials?

Your kitty will need the same things, no matter where she lives. While Fluffy would no doubt love to have things like a stocked fishpond and kitty shelves in every room, you don’t have to go that far. In fact, our feline pals are pretty easy keepers.

That said, let’s take a look at some of those kitty necessities: 

Dishes: First and foremost, Fluffy will need some dishes. You may notice your pet dropping her food on the floor to eat. If so, try a wider bowl: her whiskers touching the dishes may be annoying her. Another thing to keep in mind? Many cats like running water. You may want to consider a pet fountain.

Litterbox: A litterbox and litter are also musts, of course. For the most part, you can just go with purrsonal preference for styles and brands. There are a few exceptions, though. If you are getting a kitten, don’t get a clay or clumping litter. And if your pet is a senior, you’ll want something that’s easy for her to get in and out of.

Of course, that litterbox isn’t exactly going to make a great centerpiece. There are things you can do to hide your kitty’s bathroom. One option is to hide it behind a folding screen. You can also upcycle an end table, trunk, or buffet: just cut a hole in one side, then use the doors for access. You can also buy pieces made just for concealing litterboxes. Or, hide it under an end table, and use fabric and/or plants to conceal it. 

Toys: Fluffy will need lots of toys to bat around and push under the couch. Kitties all do have their own preferences here, so try different things and see what your pet likes best. Ideally, Fluffy should have things she can play with alone, and interactive toys that you can control.

Purrniture: Cats aren’t shy about making use of their humans’ belongings, but they really do benefit from having some things of their own. A cat tower is of course the gold standard here. At the very least, make sure your furry little diva has a good scratcher. Beds would also be pretty high on the list, though your feline friend won’t mind using yours.

How Do You Provide Enrichment To Apartment Kitties?

No matter where your pet lives, she’s going to need some sort of entertainment. There are some easy things you can do to make your home fun and comfy for your cat.

Offer Things For Your Pet To Explore

Never underestimate the strength of Fluffy’s box obsession. Cat tunnels are great, but if you don’t have room, you can just provide the occasional box. Kitties also like paper grocery bags. Just cut the handles off first.

Provide Lots Of Fun Toys

You don’t have to break the bank buying your pet toys, but you should make sure that she always has something to pounce on. 

Offer A Window Seat

Window seats are great fun for kitties. Fluffy will have a blast watching what’s going on outdoors. Offer your furry voyeur a comfy spot with a good view. Your pet may spend hours watching birds, squirrels, and pedestrians. Just make sure that your windows or screens close securely. 

Provide Plants

Many kitties love to sniff at and nibble on plants. Fluffy may very well enjoy pretending that she’s a fierce tiger, stalking you in a jungle. Just put your cute pet’s safety first. Stick with nontoxic plants. (Tip: the ASPCA website has a full list here.) You’ll also need to be careful with how you arrange things. Don’t put heavy plants with trailing vines in spots where your cat could knock them onto herself. Macrame holders can also be dangerous, as Fluffy may try to play with the dangling rope.

Catproofing An Apartment

No matter where Fluffy lives, she is going to picture herself as a fierce predator, and will want to work on her hunting skills. This is of course super cute to watch, and is one reason cats are such fun pets. However, kitties don’t know what is and is not safe for them. You’ll need to do some basic petproofing. That entails removing or securing anything that isn’t safe. That list includes small or sharp objects, plastic bags and ties, chemicals, medications, and other hazards. Ask your Louisville, KY vet for more information. 

Veterinary Care

Even indoor apartment kitties need regular veterinary care! Be sure to bring Fluffy in to our animal clinic regularly. Microchipping, parasite control, vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, and exams are important for all of our feline friends! In between visits, keep an eye out for signs of illness. Contact your Louisville, KY veterinarian immediately if you notice anything amiss.

Make An Appointment At Our Louisville, KY Pet Hospital

Do you need to bring your feline buddy in? Please reach out to us, your local Louisville, KY pet clinic, for all of your kitty’s veterinary care needs. We are here to help!