Cresting The Hill

Obviously, no pet owner wants to see their home getting disassembled by their feline friend. And if you’re currently struggling with a cat that acts out destructively, you’re probably looking for ways to curb their behaviour and help them to be calm and happy.

DESIGN A COSY SPACE FOR THEM

One way to keep your cats happy is by decorating the habitat where they spend a good chunk of their time. Typically, most cats find a spot in the house that they’ll claim as their own, and you can design that space to feel as homey and comfortable for the cat as possible.

For starters, add soft materials like rugs and cat beds around the area to make the space feel safe and easy to lounge in. Food and water outlets should also be accessible in this particular zone of the house, as well as the litter tray for them to relieve themselves.

 ALLOW THEM TO ACCESS THE OUTDOORS

While not as needy as dogs in terms of their desire to go outside, cats do carry with them an innate sense of curiosity. This curiosity includes wanting to explore spaces outside their usual home environment, like the outdoors. Cats are also nimble creatures, capable of jumping over fences and squeezing under tight crevices. This means that, if their needs are unmet, they could wander outdoors to taste that sense of freedom and satisfy their desire to move around to places outside their usual vicinity - even with the risks present.

It’s important to allow your cat to go outside on occasion under safe and controlled conditions. The feeling of sunlight in their fur, grass in their paws, and natural scents and sights surrounding them is greatly enriching for cats of all breeds and ages. For your cat to enjoy the outdoors safely, consider putting up an outdoor enclosure in your home lawn or backyard. These enclosures for cats come in a wide variety of sizes, levels, dimensions, and styles—ensuring that you find a setup that best works with your home layout and your cat’s preference. They can even be equipped with toys and playthings for quick access to fun.

HAVE A TOY AND SCRATCHER ROTATION

Another way to ensure your feline pet is content is by providing them with toys and mentally enriching playthings that they can use regularly. While cats aren’t as energetic and high-strung as dogs, they do require quite a bit of stimulation to ensure that they don’t get bored or stressed. One way to keep up with a cat’s demand for stimulation is by providing them with toys and cat products for their personal enjoyment. These toys come in a variety of different designs and types, and your cat may be more receptive to some types over others, so feel free to experiment to find your cat’s preference.

If you’re looking for a few examples, consider these toys: interactive wands, puzzle dispensers, and scratch posts. These toys reward your cat’s natural instincts, making play with them natural and easy for your cat. Plus, the fun is doubled as treats can be included during playtime, increasing your cat’s motivation and enjoyment in engaging with these toys.

MAINTAIN A DAILY ROUTINE

Cats love consistency, they thrive with a predictable routine and feel stressed and anxious if there are major disruptions. It's helpful to set a schedule for feeding and playtime for your feline friend. For instance, consider feeding them at set times in the morning. If they feel energetic before or after mealtime, consider helping them shed that energy by engaging with them through short and collaborative play sessions. Keep the play sessions at set times to ensure that they don’t burn too much energy or feel unfulfilled with the playtime length.

On top of that, you should also consider setting up weekly and annual schedules for their grooming and health needs. While cats are naturally clean, it doesn’t hurt to bring them to the groomer occasionally, and to the vet for updated vaccines once a year. 

REMOVE HAZARDS AND PREDATOR ACCESS

Creating a happy environment for your cat isn’t only about putting the right things inside the space; it’s also about keeping dangers and risks outside or out of reach. If your cat is allowed to play outdoors, ensure that your garden has no toxic flowers or plants for cats to ensure that they can safely frolic in the garden. Lilies and tulips are some dangerous flowers you should remove if you want your cat to play outdoors. Furthermore, ensure that your backyard or lawn can’t be easily accessed by outside predators, and be sure to inspect your space to ensure that it’s truly safe for your cat to explore.

Another major concern inside the house is sharp objects and electrical outlets. Cats may end up hurting themselves accidentally if these things aren’t properly secured. On top of that, random food leftovers like chocolate and garlic should be properly disposed of to ensure that the cat won’t access them. This means investing in a lidded bin that’s inaccessible for your cats to open.

For any hazards at home, keep them in a high place behind a cabinet door after use to ensure that your feline friend won’t be able to access them. Electric wires should be organised behind wire covers to ensure that cats won’t mangle with or chew on them. Being thorough about this is the bare minimum to ensure your cat’s safety. By maintaining this sort of environment, you can assure your cat’s safety and make them truly feel at home in their space.

All the best in creating your cat sanctuary!