If you live in a busy city or close to the town centre, cats can easily feel a little overwhelmed. The sights, sounds and smells are all unfamiliar, and can take years to get used to – if they ever do.
How can you make sure they’re happy? Here are some of our top tips to help you out.
Table of Contents
Take Your Cats for Walks
You walk your dog, so why can’t you walk your cat? It might seem like a bit of an odd concept at first, but there are plenty of people who do it already! With the right harness and a curious nature, you can soon be taking your cat on a walk to get them some fresh air and outdoor time.
What not to do here is assume that the cat will be ready to go from the first day you try this. You will need to build up to it gradually. Start by putting the harness on the cat and letting them move around your home as usual so they get used to the feeling of it. Then, you can add the lead and let it trail behind them. Make sure you supervise them closely, so they don’t get caught on anything. When you are both comfortable, start going for short walks!
Build a Catio
A catio is a popular option for those who want to let their cats out into their back garden without having to worry about their safety and security. It’s a great way to get peace of mind, and to give your cat more variety in their day.
To find out more information about installing a cat enclosure in your garden, follow this link: protectapet.com/pages/cat-enclosures.
Get them microchipped
Microchips are tiny devices that are placed just beneath the skin, and contain a digital record of ownership that can be used if a cat is found, and presumed to be lost. Vets can scan their microchip, and look up their owner’s details.
This is an incredibly useful piece of technology, and has helped owners to be reunited with their pets after hours, weeks, or even years.
Taking your pet to be microchipped is one of the best things you can do for them, and an absolute necessity if you’re going to be letting them roam around the outside world.
Give them places to hide indoors
Even if your cat is happy to spend the majority (or all) of their time inside, they can be keenly aware of the noises of a busy outside world – particularly if your house overlooks a busy pavement or street.
For that reason, it’s great to create some private, peaceful places within the house. Cats love small spaces like boxes and beds, so make sure you give them a quiet haven away from the windows.
With a little extra effort, your cat could become an entirely new animal. Strengthen your garden and consider harness training your cat if you think they would take well to walks outside, but don’t overlook the importance of creating a cosy and comfy house for them.
Ask Me Anything