Owning a cat in an apartment comes with its challenges but having a furry friend to share your space with is a reward in itself! At The Colonnade Residences, we welcome pets with open arms. We want you to have a furry companion to keep you and your family company in your living space.
Cats are great for apartment life because they are small, do not require outside bathroom breaks, and sleep about 15 hours a day, so they don’t disturb neighbors. If you’re looking to introduce a cat into your home and need ideas on how to make your apartment more comfortable for you and your new friend, explore our guide on how to have a cat in an apartment.
How to Cat-Proof Your Apartment
Cats are natural climbers, scratchers, and loungers. They don’t know that your shelves are off-limits, not to scratch your leather couch, or lie all over your black clothing. Providing space for them to climb, scratch and relax will make your life and your cat’s easier and happier.
Provide Vertical Space
Cat trees and climbing structures give your cat the space and activity they need to be distracted from jumping on and scratching your personal items and the apartment’s fixtures. Most cat trees include scratching posts and lounging perches. There are even climbing structures, including wall shelves and climbing bridges, you can mount to your walls to let them explore different heights.
Can’t Scratch This
To prevent scratching, place a few tall scratching posts made with sisal in the corners of your apartment and whenever you see your cat scratching in a forbidden place, redirect them to the scratch post. You can also buy clear anti-scratch tape to place on your furniture and doors or use an organic no scratch spray to discourage unwanted clawing.
Lounge Areas Your Cat Will Love
Cats sleep a big part of the day and love to sunbathe during warmer months. Having a designated and comfy spot for your cat to curl up will make your kitty purr all day! A few staples to have in your apartment for your cat to relax include:
- Cat window perches: These perches let your kitty nap in the sun or bird-watch during the day.
- Comfy bedding: From fluffy beds to cat caves, choosing the right bed for your friend will make them feel more at home. No matter what you choose, invest in a bed that is durable, easy to clean, and made from hypoallergenic material, like faux fur or fleece.
- Cat tree: Cat trees are an excellent investment because they provide a few of your cat’s favorite things in one. Most cat trees include perches and lounge spots for relaxation, scratching posts, and interactive features, such as a ball attached to a string or hiding spots.
Entertaining Your Cat in an Apartment
Cats can become easily bored if they do not have enough toys or enrichment items to keep them mentally stimulated and active. Often, bored cats can become destructive or act out by excessive scratching, using the bathroom outside the litter box, or developing anxiety. Providing entertainment for your feline friend keeps their environment exciting and promotes good health and well-being.
Here’s how you can keep your cat happy in your apartment:
Catnip Balls or Toys
Catnip is a favorite snack and can also help digestion. Refillable catnip toys are fun for you and your pet companion. Cats love to play fetch with their toys especially when filled with catnip and watching them get excited is good entertainment.
Interactive Cat Toys
Interactive cat toys provide environmental enrichment to a cat’s home. They can stimulate their social needs and prevent boredom. Indoor cats are also prone to becoming overweight due to a lack of enrichment items, so including a rotating ball toy or a flopping fish toy can increase the amount of activity they get.
Slow Feeders or Puzzle Feeders
Cats are natural hunters and slow or puzzle feeders can give them that sense of instinct and allow your cat to “hunt” for their food. These types of feeders are designed to be challenging and keep your kitty interested. Plus, slow feeders can prevent obesity in cats who tend to be lazier.
Cat Tunnels
Like interactive toys, cat tunnels are perfect for getting more activity in your cat’s daily routine. The tunnels let your cat to tap into their wild side while hiding, playing, and pouncing. Throw a few toys in there and your cat will instantly become a hunter!
Keeping plenty of toys and mental stimulation items lying around for your cat will help prevent attention-seeking behaviors and anxiety in your companion.
Increase Daily Exercise
Having a cat in an apartment is rewarding. Still, it comes with challenges, such as keeping your cat active to prevent unhealthy weight gain and boredom. Providing your cat with exercise options will help with their overall health and can even help with the zoomies at night. Here are a few exercise options for your cat to add to your apartment:
- Laser pointer: A way to get your feline friend physically active is with a laser pointer. Cats love the thrill of the chase and provide great entertainment as you watch them stalk a little red dot.
- Teaser wands: Teaser cat wands are also great and instantly make your cat an Olympian. They will go to great lengths to catch that bird, feather, or whatever item is attached at the end.
- DIY toys: We’ve all experienced buying our cat something new, only for them to enjoy the packaging more than the actual item. Cardboard boxes, paper bags, toilet paper rolls, and yarn balls are simple items that your cat will go crazy for.
It is common for indoor cats to develop weight problems that could lead to cat diabetes, so make sure to give them plenty of opportunities to exercise to maintain their health.
Choosing the Right Litter & Box for Your Cat
With dozens of brands to choose from, all claiming to be the best, it can be overwhelming to shop for a good cat litter. The most important things to consider are odor control, good absorption, and minimum dust. The last thing you want is to walk into your apartment and smell the litter box or have a sneezy cat!
Choosing between scented and unscented is a personal choice, but sometimes the scents can be too potent for a cat, and they may choose to go to the bathroom elsewhere. There might be a trial-and-error period before finding the best litter for your cat. When switching your cat’s litter, gradually mix the new litter with the old to help your cat warm up to the new brand, texture, or smell.
Cats are very clean animals and can be picky about where they go to the bathroom. Finding the correct litter box for your furry friend will help them be more comfortable and avoid any accidents on the floors. Make sure to choose a box large enough for your cat to use comfortably, as cats like to dig and cover their waste. A common rule for the cat-to-litter box ratio is one box per cat plus an extra one.
Here are a few different types of litter boxes to consider:
Uncovered Box
An uncovered box is a standard litter box to select for your kitty. Be sure to purchase one with a lot of depth and a low front, so your cat can easily come and go. Uncovered boxes are great for training new kittens and older cats with mobility issues.
Covered Box
As mentioned, cats are picky about their bathrooms and covered litter boxes are perfect for the finicky cats who like their privacy. Hooded cat boxes not only give your cat their alone time, but also keep litter from flying everywhere, and can help with odor control. Most covered boxes come with a filter and a removable door. You can even find covered boxes designed to double as furniture, which works great for apartments!
Automatic Cleaning Box
To keep your apartment smelling good and your cat happy, automatic litter boxes keep the litter box at optimal cleanliness, plus they do all the hard lifting! The box can detect when your kitty has gone to the bathroom then rakes through the litter pushing the waster into a disposal bin. Automatic cleaning boxes fit perfectly into the lives of busy professionals.
Whatever box type you choose, be sure to get a large litter-catching mat. Litter mats help catch the extra litter that gets stuck on your cat’s paws and help keep your apartment clean.
Where to Place Your Cat’s Litter Box
You might not give your kitty’s litter box much thought, but its location is important when it comes to their bathroom. Much like humans, cats do not like to use the litter box near where they eat and prefer to not be seen. Most apartment owners place the litter box in the bathroom but sometimes the bathroom lacks sufficient ventilation which can lead to unpleasant smells. Selecting an absorbent, odor control litter will help with this.
Another great location is under a desk or in a slightly hidden corner of the apartment. Or, if you opt for a covered box, selecting one that doubles as a décor item will make it easy to place in your home. The most important thing to remember about your kitty’s litter box location is it should be easy for your cat to find and offer enough airflow to control any smells that aren’t absorbed by the litter.
Keeping Your Apartment Clean & Fresh with a Cat
Keeping cats in an apartment, as with many other pets, comes with the responsibility of keeping your companion healthy, comfortable, and clean. It is essential to clean your cat’s food bowl after each use, whether you feed them wet or dry food. Your kitty’s water bowl may develop bacteria growth, so it is important to wash it daily too.
While cats are natural groomers, they still need you to do some cleaning and grooming for them, like nail clipping and brushing. Brushing helps with dandruff and shedding plus keeps your feline friend looking dapper and feeling soft. Weekly cleanings of their bedding and toys can also go a long way toward minimizing cat smells.
Watch Out for Plants
Having plants in the apartment can benefit you and your cat; however, you want to make sure that the plants are kept out of reach. Many indoor plants are toxic to cats and can cause upset stomachs, skin irritation, vomiting, or worse. There are still many non-toxic plants you can keep in your home, such as spider plants, African violets, and bamboo. You can also grow catnip indoors and give your cat a plant of its own.
Keep Your Cat Safe on Your Balcony
Many apartments have a patio or balcony and allowing outside time for your kitty can be a nice treat and offer a different space to explore. Before letting your furry friend explore, make sure the balcony is a safe place to be. Cats are very curious animals and will push their limits.
The Colonnade Residences encourage their residents to adopt cats in need of a loving home. If you’re in the market to adopt, visit the Animal Rescue League of Boston to find your new furry friend. Cats make great apartment pets and best friends.
Find Your Purrfect Home at The Colonnade Residences
The Colonnade Residences is a pet-friendly apartment building in Boston that offers an exceptional selection of luxury 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartments and penthouses as well as renowned amenities. Our apartments feature spacious rooms, en suite baths, and ample closet space. Browse our floor plans and virtual tours, check availability, and schedule a tour today!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is it okay to have a cat in an apartment? Yes! Most cats adapt well to apartment living as long as their basic needs are met. Provide enrichment, vertical space, scratching posts, regular playtime, and a comfortable environment.
- How do I keep my cat entertained in an apartment? Cats do best in apartments when they have opportunities to climb, scratch, and explore. Offer a variety of vertical space options, puzzle feeders, interactive toys, and daily play sessions.
- Where should I put a litter box in an apartment?
Choose a low-traffic, well-ventilated spot that’s easy for your cat to access but still provides privacy. Avoid placing it near their food and water. Hidden litter box furniture can help save space. - How do I reduce cat odors in an apartment? Scoop the litter box daily, change litter regularly, and clean the box with mild soap. Use high-quality clumping litter, a covered trash bin for waste, and proper ventilation. Air purifiers and washable pet bedding also help keep your apartment smelling clean.
- How much space does a cat need in an apartment? Cats don’t require a large amount of space and benefit from vertical space, cozy resting spots, and stimulating environments. Even a studio apartment can work well with shelves, perches, and enrichment items.
- How can I make my apartment more cat-friendly? Add scratching posts, window perches, climbing structures, and comfy resting areas. Keep toxic plants out of reach and secure loose cords.
- What should I do if my cat is scratching the furniture? Offer multiple scratching posts and place them where your cat already tries to scratch. Use furniture protectors or deterrent sprays and redirect the behavior with praise and treats.
- Does The Colonnade Residences allow cats? Yes, The Colonnade Residences is a cat-friendly community, allowing one pet. Residents should review our current pet policy for breed restrictions, deposit information, and guidelines for living comfortably with a cat in our luxury apartments.
- What amenities help make The Colonnade Residences a great place for cat owners? Spacious layouts, large windows, quiet residential floors, and nearby stores, restaurants, and parks make The Colonnade Residences a welcoming place for cat owners. Our modern floor plans also provide plenty of opportunities for safe enrichment and cozy lounging spots
