Content
- Are cats in apartments happy?
- Advantages and Disadvantages of Having a Cat in an Apartment
- Don't let a cat out of the house
- let the cat out of the house
- How to make a cat happy in an apartment?
- Have a cat in an apartment and make him happy
Despite the years they have been domesticated, cats retain innate instincts that they share with other wild cats. For this reason, many cat owners wonder if actually having a pussy at home is a positive thing. Besides, if you've ever let your feline out of the house, you'll have noticed how much fun it has climbing trees or chasing small animals it comes across... And that it ends up bringing you as a gift!
However, all those who don't have the opportunity to let the cat out for some reason, wonder if a cat is happy in an apartment. In this article by PeritoAnimal , you will find the answers you are looking for, and it will explain to you what would be the ideal situation and how to make a cat happy, if it is not possible to provide it. Read on and find out all about indoor cats!
Are cats in apartments happy?
When your cat is at home sleeping peacefully, eating or playing with you, the last thing you think is that he may be sad or that you are not giving him everything he needs. On the one hand it's like that, the cat's welfare is guaranteed if it provides you with the attention and care you need to live with dignity.
On the other hand, claiming that all cats are happy or unhappy when they are always at home is a mistake, as each cat has its own personality and concrete needs. Did you know there are 5 feline personalities? According to Lauren Finka, there are different personalities in which we can encompass the entire feline population. For example, in the case of the human cat, we would not see serious problems leaving it at home all day. On the contrary, the hunting cat could experiment frustration and stress for being stuck and not being able to develop his innate behavior, which he so much wants to experience.
If your cat is very active and even hyperactive, it probably strays a long way from the typical "house cat" image that doesn't do much more than sleep and enjoy a quiet life at home. What should we do then? Should we let him out or bet on improving his quality of life?
Advantages and Disadvantages of Having a Cat in an Apartment
When adopting a cat, we must provide her with the five freedoms of animal welfare, which will ensure that her emotional state is positive. Precisely for this reason, in order to avoid any tragedy, many people decide to prevent the cat from leaving the house, even when they have a garden. Would that be adequate? Let's look at the advantages and disadvantages:
Don't let a cat out of the house
- You can ensure that the cat has what it needs at all times: food, a bed, water...
- In very active cats, not being able to get out can lead to frustration and stress.
- Hours of fun, development and stimulation depend on the owner.
- We can more or less realistically simulate outer space with logs or other objects.
let the cat out of the house
- The cat performs the physical activity it needs.
- You can experiment all the time with the stimuli you find.
- It can develop the limitless hunting instinct, which is innate in the feline.
- It could imply an unwanted pregnancy.
- There is a risk that you will get lost, that you will be poisoned or run over.
A cat that isn't happy at home or doesn't get the care it needs will demonstrate it failing to feed, overeating, developing obesity, urinating outside your litter box or showing different behavior problems. In the most serious cases, consult a veterinarian u ethologist to know the causes that are really causing this behavior and adopt the necessary measures.
On the other hand, if you ask yourself "How do I know if my cat is happy with me?" cat and that lack of access to the outdoors is not a problem for him.
How to make a cat happy in an apartment?
So, can a cat live in an apartment? Logical! But how can we prevent the suffering and stress that some domestic cats may experience? The key is to enrich the environment, which will help us to provide you with enough physical and mental stimulation to prevent behavior problems, frustration or anxiety from appearing.
Cats are curious animals, which notably improve their quality of life and their entertainment with objects that you don't even suspect, like a simple cardboard box. Want to know more? then we give you some advices to let you know how to make an indoor cat happy:
- Leave interactive toys for the cat to have fun during your absence, such as sound toys, metal games or food dispensers. There are a wide variety of toys on the market!
- Did you know that scratching and sharpening nails is one of cats' favorite activities? This behavior is not just for sanding sharp claws, it is also a form of marking and communication. Provide different types of scrapers for you to try.
- If you have space on the walls, bet on the installation of bridges, walkways and other structures for your cat. Cats love heights and will enjoy this new personalized space.
- Have you ever tried catnip or catnip? This plant has a potent effect on the cat, as it helps to stimulate it. You can rub it on your toys or spread it out on the floor. If your cat has never tried catnip, you should try it.
- At home, you should take time to play with your cat, avoiding using the same toys that you leave within your reach when you are alone. Grab a fishing pole and enjoy while your cattle chase the feathers.
- To keep your best friend interested in your toys, leave them all in a box and take turns so that each day you have a different one.
- How long can a cat be alone in the house? Although these are independent animals, remember that they need our company to be happy and receive the dose of daily socialization they deserve. Never leave a cat alone for more than 24 hours.
Now you know some tricks that can improve your feline's home and also help your cat stay mentally active and physically fit. Do you dare to try them?
Have a cat in an apartment and make him happy
Cats are animals by habit, so you can give them a positive emotional state even if you don't go outside if you take some of the necessary care and follow the same routines. Remember that a change that seems insignificant to you can greatly destabilize you.
When you're at home, make sure your cat feels cherished and gets the attention it deserves. And while not all cats are affectionate, that doesn't mean they don't need you or don't feel love for you. Each one demonstrates their affection differently depending on different factors.
We cannot always guarantee that an indoor cat will be happy., however, we can strive to ensure the best conditions, provide you with the necessary environment and offer you, as far as possible, the experiences you want to have.
For example, you can try to teach your cat to walk on a leash and thus satisfy a part of her curiosity without compromising her safety. In addition, you can also allow access to the balcony or terrace by previously installing a safety net to avoid a possible fall.
